Credit: Photo by Joe Kleon
Peter Frampton was destined to be a rock star. He attended school with David Bowie and played concerts there alongside Bowie’s band before dabbling into psychedelic rock with the Herd, transitioning into the hard rock world with Humble Pie, becoming a solo artist and setting the world on fire with his 1976 double-live release Frampton Comes Alive.

Last night, Frampton brought six decades of musical prowess to Blossom Music Center. The 17-song, two hour-and-15-minute spectacle showcased why Frampton has deservingly become a musical and cultural icon.

You can see photos from the concert here.

Touching down at Blossom smack dab in the middle of a 50-date farewell tour, billed as the Peter Frampton Finale, Frampton treated the audience to a warm, intimate evening full of engaging stories and expressive jams. Frampton strayed from his usual cookie cutter-ish format, and the captivating and engaging set contained a handful of tracks from his latest release, All Blues. Critically acclaimed, this record of blues covers debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard Blues chart.

Often trading jams with various members in the band, many songs had an improvisational and spontaneous vibe. The band was as far away from “phoning it in” as I have ever seen. The joy and fun bouncing riffs off each other created a warm and vibrant atmosphere. The closing track before the encore was a 20-plus minute version of “Do You Feel Like We Do” with extended everything, solidifying this classic track as one of the most timeless rock anthems of all time. A trio of covers ended the night and included a jaw dropping version of “While My Guitar Gently Weeps.”

Jason Bonham’s Led Zeppelin Evening opened the show with their tribute to the late great John Bonham and Led Zeppelin. The band tore through a set of Zeppelin’s biggest hits but lacked the depth of longer jams and deeper cuts, which were a staple of live Zeppelin shows.

The band performed an energetic set of Zeppelin’s greatest hits, slowly capturing the still arriving crowd. Singer James Dillon has the range and power to pull off any Zeppelin song. Guitarist Jimmy Sakurai has a strong resemblance to Page and played the parts perfectly but was a little over the top with his mannerisms and facial expressions. We get it. You are supposed to be Jimmy Page. You play great. You look the part. A little less Page prancing and a little more spontaneous, off the cuff soloing would enhance the Zeppelin experience.

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This article appears in Aug 7-13, 2019.

10 replies on “Peter Frampton Bids Farewell at Rousing Blossom Concert”

  1. Horrible concert. First band was a little better than most bar bands around here playing zep. Frampton bored the crowd to death with endless solos, which all sounded the same. His lecturing on his life history was boring. He never let other members take solos. A narcissistic display of Aeolian mode finger exercises. He could have played his 3 hits in 30 minutes and let people go home early and watch TV.

  3. Joe…how is Jason Bonham’s Led Zep Experience supposed to play “longer jams and deeper cuts” when you’re the opening act and you’re given a half hour to play?

  4. If the album can be found at the right price — “In the Name of My Father The Zepset Live from Electric Ladyland” by The Jason Bonham Band (1997 ) — is a powerful salute to Led Zeppelin.

  5. Sounds like THOMNOV is not even a fan to begin with. Should’ve stayed home with his negativity and would not have been missed.

  6. THOMNOV… You must have had too much of something not to have enjoyed the concert. You are totally off base with your comments. He rocked this venue!!!

  7. I was there. The opener played true to the albums rather then to the live experience of zep. I feel like there was a drowning out of sound as well when I felt I couldnt hear certain instruments or the singer at times. Frampton was pretty impeccable. And the fact that there was a lot of improvisation really made it a great show. I go to see people live and generally expect to hear it a little differently then how it was recorded in a studio. Thats the whole point of seeing great musicians.

  8. I showed up to be a dick but someone beat me to it and schooled me.
    Frampton came alive, I am sure.
    Thank you for your career.

  9. Just saw this show in Tampa,great show, amazing,both groups. Still kills it after all these years. One thing is certain,Thomnov,your name will be forgotten overnight,Bonham and Frampton will be remembered for generations to come.

  10. Peter was better than ever! Love his improvisational style, especially how he now plays the blues, varying his voice. This concert was the crowning achievement of a rollercoaster career. He’s going out on top! Now, I look forward to his next album. Love you, PKF!

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