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Peter Frampton 2023: A Rock Legend Returns to Louisville

By Larry Philpot on November 10, 2023

It’s been more than 50 years since Peter Frampton released his landmark live album, Frampton Comes Alive!, and became one of the biggest rock stars of the 1970s. Since then, he has faced many challenges, including a near-fatal car crash, a rare muscle disease, and the loss of his beloved guitar in a plane crash. But Frampton has never given up on his passion for music, and his latest tour proves that he still has the magic touch. He’s always been a serious musician, and after about the 3rd song, he addressed one person in the audience continuously emailing or texting, telling him it was disrespectful, if not rude.

File Photo: Peter Frampton, in performance in Louisville, Kentucky on November 9, 2023 as a stop on his “Never Say Never Tour.” (Photo Credit: Larry Philpot/SoundstagePhotography.com)

Mr. Frampton hates cellphones, and it’s clear the audience member wasn’t one of the 19 million people who read our story about Frampton taking a cellphone from an audience person and hurling it backstage. We applauded him then, and do so now. Peter Frampton ROCKS. Now, back to the review.

File Photo: Peter Frampton performs with his band at Louisville, Kentucky on November 9, 2023 as a stop on his “Never Say Never Tour.” (Photo Credit: Larry Philpot/SoundstagePhotography.com)

The crowd at the stunningly beautiful Louisville Palace, in Louisville, KY, where Frampton performed on November 9th, 2023, was ecstatic and responsive throughout the show. They sang along to every word, cheered every solo, and gave Frampton standing ovations after almost every song. This only energized him, laughing and storytelling for over 2 hours and 45 minutes. The fans also showed their appreciation for his courage and resilience in the face of adversity. Frampton was visibly moved by the warm reception, and thanked the fans for their support and loyalty over the years.

File Photo: Peter Frampton performs at Louisville, Kentucky on November 9, 2023 as a stop on his “Never Say Never Tour.” (Photo Credit: Larry Philpot/SoundstagePhotography.com)

The “Never Say Never Tour”, which kicked off in June 2023, has been billed as Frampton’s farewell to the road, as he planned to retire from touring after this year. But don’t expect a nostalgic or sentimental show. Frampton is in top form, playing with energy and enthusiasm, and showcasing his impressive skills on the guitar, the talk box, and the vocals. He is backed by a tight band of seasoned musicians, who complement his style and add some flair of their own.

The setlist spans Frampton’s entire career, from his early days with Humble Pie, to his solo hits like “Show Me the Way”, “Baby, I Love Your Way”, and “Do You Feel Like We Do”, to his recent collaborations with artists like David Bowie, George Harrison, and Ringo Starr. He also plays some covers of songs by his influences and friends, such as The Beatles, and a 12 minute absolute blowout of Chris Cornell’s “Black Hole Sun.” Frampton is not afraid to experiment with different genres and sounds, blending rock, blues, funk, soul, and pop in a seamless way.

The highlight of the show is hard to nail down, because there were many. There were jam sessions and sing alongs that were all extraordinary, with a 16 minute version of “I Don’t Need No Doctor”, which is an unmistakable message of defiance about his current muscular disease that requires help for Peter to stand and get on and off the stage. But once seated, he’s stronger than ever.

Frampton’s 2023 tour is more than just a farewell to the road. It’s a celebration of a remarkable career, a tribute to a musical legacy, and a testament to a rock legend’s spirit. If you have a chance to catch him live before he hangs up his guitar for good, don’t miss it. You’ll be witnessing history in the making.