On Friday afternoon, legendary guitarist and songwriter, Peter Frampton revealed he would be embarking on his final-ever concert tour this summer.
That’s right, after more than five decades of service, the 68-year-old is calling it quits — but not because he wants to.
In an interview with CBS on Saturday morning, Frampton revealed that he was diagnosed with a degenerative muscle disease — inclusion body myositis (IBM) — nearly three-and-a-half years ago.
Although not life-threatening, the I’m in You singer admitted that the disease has made a difference in his day-to-day life. He added that it will eventually affect his virtuoso abilities.
With his touring band, Frampton will embark on a 50-date trek throughout North America, including two Canadian shows. Things kick off on June 18, in Tulsa, all before the Oct. 12 grand finale in San Francisco.
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While IBM is common in adults over the age of 50, its level of progression and severity varies depending on the case. Frampton said that he felt its effects speed up after taking a fall in Maui last year.
“What happens, unfortunately, is that it affects the finger flexors,” he told CBS. “That’s the first telltale sign. So for a guitar player, it’s not very good.”
IBM inflames the muscles and emaciates them over a certain period of time. It does not affect lifespan, but it can lead to complications depending on the severity.
The rocker was quick to assure his fans that he’s still on top of his game. He admitted he wasn’t sure for how long though.
“I’m a perfectionist and I do not want to go out there and feel like, ‘Oh I can’t, this isn’t good,'” he continued. “That would be a nightmare for me.”
“The reason I’m calling it the ‘farewell tour,’ is because I know that I will be at the top of my game,” he added, “and I will make it through this and people won’t be saying, ‘Oh you know, he can’t play as good.'”
Frampton started playing guitar at the age of eight. He taught himself how to play piano and guitar before learning how to play classical music. “I’ve had a very good run,” he said.
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“Between October and two days ago, we’ve done like 33 new tracks,” he said, promising fans one last taste of original music.
Frampton’s last record, Acoustic Classics was released in 2016.
Throughout his career, Frampton has released 16 individual studio albums; selling millions of copies across the globe. His fifth record, I’m in You was certified RIAA Platinum in both Canada and the U.S.
Frampton has worked alongside rock legends like Ringo Starr, Pearl Jam and even David Bowie — who he attended public school with as an adolescent in Bromley, England.
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Frampton and his band will be joined by special guest act Jason Bonham’s Led Zeppelin Evening.
Tickets for The Farewell Tour go on sale to the general public on March 1, at 10 a.m. ET.
Exclusive presale information will be made available on the official Peter Frampton website.
‘Peter Frampton: Finale The Farewell Tour’ tour dates
** All Canadian dates are bolded **
June 18 – Tulsa, Okla. @ Hard Rock Hotel
June 20 – Little Rock, Ark. @ Robinson Performance Hall
June 22 – Montgomery, Ala. @ Wind Creek Casino
June 23 – Chattanooga, Tenn. @ Tivoli Theatre
June 26 – Memphis, Tenn. @ Orpheum Theatre
June 27 – Nashville, Tenn. @ Ascend Amphitheater
June 29 – Salamanca, N.Y. @ Seneca Allegany Resort
June 30 – Bethel, N.Y. @ Bethel Woods Center for the Arts
July 2 – Pittsburgh, Pa. @ Benedum Center for the Performing Arts
July 3 – Syracuse, N.Y. @ St. Joseph’s Health Amphitheater
July 5 – Montreal, Que. @ Montreal Jazz Fest
July 7 – Gilford, N.H. @ Bank of New Hampshire Pavilion
July 9 – Boston, Mass. @ Rockland Trust Bank Pavilion
July 10 – Philadelphia, Pa. @ The Met Philadelphia
July 12 – Cincinnati, Ohio @ Riverbend Music Center
July 13 – Stayner, Ont. @ Roxodus Music Festival
July 23 – Traverse City, Mich. @ Interlochen Center for the Arts
July 25 – Detroit, Mich. @ DTE Energy Music Theatre
July 26 – Morgantown, W.Va. @ MountainFest Motorcycle Rally
July 28 – Chicago, Ill. @ Huntington Bank Pavilion
July 29 – Cedar Rapids, Iowa @ McGrath Amphitheatre
July 31 – Morrison, Colo. @ Red Rocks Amphitheatre
Aug. 2 – Minneapolis, Minn. @ Grand Casino Hinckley Amphitheater
Aug. 4 – St. Louis, Mo. @ Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre
Aug. 5 – Kansas City, Mo. @ Starlight Theatre
Aug. 8 – Cleveland, Ohio. @ Blossom Music Center
Aug. 11 – Atlanta, Ga. @ Ameris Bank Amphitheatre
Aug. 30 – Charlotte, N.C. @ PNC Music Pavilion
Sept. 1 – Albany, N.Y. @ Saratoga Performing Arts Center
Sept. 2 – Uncasville, Conn. @ Mohegan Sun Arena
Sept. 4 – Jacksonville, Fla. @ Daily’s Place
Sept. 6 – Miami, Fla. @ Coral Sky Amphitheatre
Sept. 7 – Tampa, Fla. @ MIDFLORIDA Credit Union Amphitheatre
Sept. 10 – Simpsonville, S.C. @ CCNB Amphitheatre
Sept. 11 – Washington, D.C. @ The Anthem
Sept. 13 – New York, N.Y. @ Madison Square Garden
Sept. 14 – Raleigh, N.C. @ Coastal Credit Union Music Park
Sept. 21 – Houston, Tex. @ Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion
Sept. 22 – Dallas, Tex. @ The Pavilion
Sept. 24 – Albuquerque, N.M. @ Sandia Resort & Casino
Sept. 26 – Phoenix, Ariz. @ Comerica Theatre
Sept. 28 – Las Vegas, Nev. @ Red Rocks Resort Spa & Casino
Sept. 29 – Temecula, Calif. @ Pechanga Casino
Oct. 2 – San Diego, Calif. @ Cal Coast Credit Union Open Air Theatre
Oct. 3 – Paso Robles, Calif. @ Vina Robles Amphitheatre
Oct. 5 – Los Angeles, Calif. @ The Forum
Oct. 6 – Tuoloumne, Calif. @ Black Oak Casino Resort
Oct. 9 – Seattle, Wash. @ Paramount Theatre
Oct. 10 – Portland, Ore. @ Ilani Resort & Casino
Oct. 12 – San Francisco, Calif. @ Concord Pavilion
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