Frampton Came Alive 40 Years Ago Today

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I saw a post on the College of Rock & Roll Knowledge's Facebook page about today (January 6) being the 40th anniversary of the landmark live album Frampton Comes Alive by Peter Frampton. Frampton, who was a member of Humble Pie before starting his solo career, hadn't really had a hit or anything resembling a big success prior to the release of the album, which made it rather surprising that it took off. And oh, did it take off! It was the biggest-selling album of 1976 (the year that gave us albums by Paul McCartney & Wings, Bob Dylan, Led Zeppelin, Rolling Stones, and Stevie Wonder). It has sold over 11 million copies, making it one of the biggest-selling live albums in history. It spawned three major hits: "Baby, I Love Your Way" (which has been a hit two additional times in cover versions), "Show Me the Way," and "Do You Feel Like I Do." Additionally, Frampton's good looks made him extremely popular with the female fans. Oddly enough, it turned out to be more or less a one-album wonder. Frampton's follow-up, I'm In You, only sold in the one-million albums range. He would never have another million-selling album. I'm one of the very few females who was a teenager when that album was released who didn't own it. I didn't "hate" the album or turn any of the songs off when they came on the radio, it just didn't appeal to me. Even 40 years later, I don't have any feelings, one way or the other, for the album. Despite that, I can wish a happy 40th birthday to one of the most significant live albums in rock history!