Ticket 2 Ride

Fifty years ago, this unassuming live album, Frampton Comes Alive, became a phenomenon, and elevated Peter Frampton into a megastar. Jump ahead fifty years, Frampton is not only still alive, he’s thriving, bringing forth an album of new songs, Carry the Light. But, he’s also battling inclusion body myositis — a rare and incurable condition that causes muscles to weaken over time.

Muscles usually affected by IBM include the quadriceps, which help lock the knee and provide power while walking up steps. Lack of strength in these muscles can trigger falls, which is often why people go see a doctor. IBM also affects finger flexors, the forearm muscles that enable finger movement and dexterity.

Frampton hasn’t quit playing or recording, but the condition impacts how he performs, requires some adaptation. Since being diagnosed, he’s packed a lot of writing and recording into his life. Carry the Light is his fourth album since his diagnosis, and he’s been on the road as often as he’s up to it. You might see him in a wheelchair or sitting down in concert, but his creative juices continue to flow at age 76.

“…my outlook on it is that’s life, you know. I was I’ve been so lucky. I’ve had a up and down career, but in in the long run, I look at uh everything, look at the last 60 years and go, ‘Wow, I’m the luckiest guy alive.’”

Carry the Light (2026, UMe) represents some of his best work. Co-written and co-produced with his son Julian Frampton, Frampton uses a little help from his friends, in addition to a core group of backing musicians.

This is a competent set of songs, you can hear the Humble Pie influence of the blues, these songs are classic Frampton, soulful, and the guitar playing is exquisite. Frampton mixes it up with rock, blues and some R&B. This album won’t top any charts or set streaming records, it’s a laidback, stellar set of songs from a classic rocker who still has something to say.

1. “Carry the Light”
2. “Buried Treasure” (feat. Benmont Tench)
3. “I’m Sorry Elle” (feat. Graham Nash)
4. “Breaking The Mold” (feat. Sheryl Crow)
5. “I Can’t Let It Be”
6. “Lions At The Gate” (feat. Tom Morello)
7. “Islamorada” (feat. H.E.R.)
8. “Can You Take Me There” (feat. Bill Evans)
9. “Tinderbox” (feat. Bill Evans)
10. “At The End of The Day”

As a bonus, there’s a documentary on Frampton that has just been released.

Long live Peter Frampton!