By Jae-Ha Kim
Chicago Sun-Times
July 2, 2004
Peter Frampton, Pat Benatar and Neil Giraldo
*Taste of Chicago
5 tonight
*Petrillo Music Shell, northeast corner of Jackson and Columbus
Free
Back in 1976, Peter Frampton set the standard for what a rock star looked and sounded like. He had the face — and hair — of a teen idol plus the guitar chops of a virtuoso. His breakthrough album, “Frampton Comes Alive!” went multiplatinum.
Now 54, the British expatriate is based in Cincinnati. The father of four, Frampton took a break from his tour to chat about his music, his household chores and how an 8-year-old rules his household with a tiny iron fist.
HERE’S WHAT FRAMPTON HAD TO SAY:
Sex, drugs and rock ‘n’ roll: [Laughs] I don’t think it’s a cliche, but I’ve basically been through all that in the ’70s. I am a survivor, and once you get to a certain age — I’m not sure what age it is — you realize you have to be responsible, especially when you have children. Children definitely start to make you think in a different way.
On the homefront: We’re putting a gym into our house. Our 8-year-old daughter is obsessed with ballet. She’s been doing it for three or four years. So, we’re going to make a little dance area and have a gym. It’s not huge but it’ll be perfect for us.
On staying fit: I think some of it is genetic. I didn’t sell my soul to the devil. Not yet! I’m a three-day-a-week gym guy. It’ll be nice to be able to just work out at home.
How the child manages your life: It’s amazing, really. She had a dance recital recently and I changed my tour schedule so I could fly home to see her. She controls the whole tour!
Career vs. family: My wife and I made a “two-week rule” a long time ago. Either I go home after two weeks or she flies out to see me. When I had my first two children, I didn’t spend enough time with them when they were growing up. I was never home. They survived and are great kids, but now I work around my children’s schedules.
Favorite household chores: I don’t know if they’re favorites, but Wednesday is garbage day and I have to take out all the garbage. I just do.
Music you’re listening to now: I’m going to open my iTunes now and tell you. I listen to everything from the Beatles, obviously, to the Foo Fighters to a band called Calexico. We walk out onstage to one of their instrumental tracks. Django Reinhardt is my favorite guitar player.
Favorite hobby: My bass player and most of my friends are golfers, but I prefer twiddling knobs in the studio.
Flashback video: Seeing me so long ago is like seeing another person. It’s such a different time. I’m very proud of what I’ve done.
New songs vs. old hits: I’m sure the audience would prefer I came out and performed the whole “Frampton Comes Alive” album. I’m always going to give them the songs they want to hear and would never not perform “Do You Feel Like We Do.” But I’ve got to stay vital and I’m still writing good material. I joke with the audience, though, and say, “Let’s just rehearse the applause now for the end of the [new] song.” Humor and self-deprecation go a long way.
Philosophy on life: I never take myself too seriously because I could be here today and gone tomorrow. It’s a terrible time we live in. No one wants arrogant rock stars, anyway.
On Chicago: It’s one of my favorite places to just walk around and shop. I’ve never been up to Water Tower [Place], so I might have to go there. My daughter loves American Girl, so I’ll have to go there and get her something. When you live in Cincinnati, it’s awfully nice to have Chicago so close to home.
