Peter Frampton on Continuing to Tour: “I Have to Play”
Last week the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inducted their Class of 2023 at the Barclays Center in a ceremony that was streamed live on Disney+. One of the highlights was the opening number, which saw honoree Sheryl Crow, two-time inductee Stevie Nicks and guitar legend Peter Frampton performing “Every Day is a Winding Road.” Frampton’s fiery solo gave new dimension to one of Crow’s biggest hits.
Speaking to the press after stepped off stage, Frampton was asked about his most recent tour, which was dubbed the Never Say Never trek. The name acknowledges that pre-COVID, he had embarked on a “finale” run, due to challenges presented by a rare muscle disease called inclusion-body myositis. As to why he recently decided to get back on the road, Frampton said:
“I made a deal with myself that if I can’t play at the top of my game, I don’t want to play and disappoint people. Well… I have to play! So things have changed; my hands are affected by my muscle disease. But I’ve adapted, and I’m still playing pretty good! So I’m loving it.”
Frampton also commented on potentially being inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame one day, an honor that, perplexingly, has yet to be bestowed upon the musician despite his incredible commercial success and wide-ranging influence. He says:
“Things have turned out really well for me which I never thought would happen. I worked my ass off, that’s why I think I managed to turn things around. I didn’t get a Grammy until 2005, and it was (not for) singing, it was for an instrumental record. I was so thrilled it was about my music, and not about my looks or my voice or anything… So, to actually be asked here, just to be in the room (with Sheryl) is an honor. Everything is gravy for me now… I don’t expect anything, and I’m very thrilled when I do get something, an award, I’m always very, very appreciative.”
The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame ceremony is available on demand via Disney+. In addition to Sheryl Crow, this year’s inductees in the performer category were Kate Bush, Rage Against the Machine, Missy Elliott, George Michael, Willie Nelson and the Spinners.