Peter Frampton Shares The Biggest Mistake In His Life

Peter Frampton, the guitar legend known for his soaring solos and infectious melodies, bares his soul in a new interview with AXS TV.

When probed about his career and experiences with fellow rockers, the question turns introspective: what’s his biggest regret? After a thoughtful pause, Frampton confesses a misstep that stings the most: it was the rushed release of his 1977 album I’m In You.

“Hated it. Didn’t wanna release it. But everybody said, ‘Oh no, you’ve got to. We’ve got to put out something quickly,’” the iconic guitarist revealed.

The weight of that decision still lingers for Frampton, reflecting how he allowed others to sway him and drown out his own artistic instinct. In owning his regrets, Frampton not only offers a glimpse into his artistic process but also reminds us that listening to our inner wisdom, however challenging, is often the path to genuine artistic fulfillment.

“Trusting in others wrongly”

Frampton remembered this “hated” decision vividly. “I would have to say not learning quickly enough from my mistakes. Trusting in others wrongly. The day that I walked into my management office with the master tapes from ‘I’m In You,’ I threw them on the couch, and I said, ‘There it is,’” he reminisced.

I believe that was the biggest mistake that was made,” the guitarist emphasized. But, this wasn’t the end of the story, as Frampton did not regret this misstep.

That experience became a crucible for him, as he learned to trust his inner compass, and, of course, his creative fire. And his gut hasn’t steered me wrong since, leading him to some of his most fulfilling work,

“There were others after that but then my gut started talking to me. Even if I have missed some opportunities since. I’d like to think that those things my gut has said are okay, and they have led me along the right path since,” Frampton explained.

Peter was initially worried when he went solo

In 1969, Peter Frampton joined forces with the fiery frontman Steve Marriott to forge the powerhouse rock band Humble Pie. Frampton quickly established himself as a vital cog in the group’s sound, his virtuosic guitar work adding both fire and melody to their blues-tinged rock ‘n’ roll.

Yet, a restless creative spirit simmered within him. After four studio albums and one blistering live record, the pull toward solo exploration became irresistible. In 1971, Frampton took the daring leap, stepping away from the collective roar of Humble Pie and into the unknown as a solo artist.

This decision, however, wasn’t without its anxieties. The early solo years were a period of uncertainty. He toiled on a few solo albums, pouring his heart and soul into each note, yet success seemed elusive. The gnawing fear of having abandoned a secure musical haven for the treacherous waters of solo flight lingered.

But then, in 1976, everything changed. Frampton Comes Alive!, a live double album capturing the sheer exhilaration of his stage performances, exploded onto the scene. It became a commercial juggernaut, selling over 8 million copies and earning him a slew of accolades. Frampton’s gamble had paid off in spectacular fashion.

“I wanted to be in charge of my own destiny finally”

As Frampton confessed, “Even though I knew that Rockin’ The Fillmore would be our biggest record so far, I just decided in the end that this would be the best time before they really break. Otherwise, if I had stayed in the band, I would have still been in Humble Pie, I think. It was just I wanted to be in charge of my own destiny finally.”

Leaving the security of an established group for the uncertain path of a solo career wasn’t easy. For years, the specter of doubt lingered, particularly when Rockin’ The Fillmore indeed became a runaway success, “jumping up the charts all over the world”.

As Frampton put it, “It was surreal because four or five years beforehand I thought I’d made the biggest mistake of my career by leaving Humble Pie.”

But the wager was a runaway success. He had not only carved his own path but built a rock’n’roll cathedral, proving that sometimes, taking a leap of faith, even in the face of established success, can lead to the most glorious moments of your artistic journey. 

Watch the AXS TV interview below: