Peter Frampton remains positive despite being diagnosed with a rare degenerative disease that affects his ability to play the guitar.
“My philosophy on life is, ‘That’s life,'” the 76-year-old musician exclusively told Page Six in a new interview. “I’ve been very lucky. I’ve had a career with ups and downs, but in the long run, you see everything. Look at the last 60 years. Wow, I’m the luckiest man alive!”
Ms. Frampton was diagnosed with inclusion body myositis (IBM), a rare and progressive muscle disease.
According to the Cleveland Clinic, the condition is “characterized by slow, painless muscle weakness and inflammation, primarily affecting the fingers, wrists, and quadriceps.” There is no cure, but physical therapy can help delay the onset of symptoms.
“I’m a very positive person. I know the outcome, but it doesn’t bother me,” Frampton explained, adding that she has “learned” to change her life by using a cane and grasping tools around the house.
He also had to “change” the way he plays guitar, saying, “It’s a challenge. I’m always up for a challenge.”
The Grammy winner said the disease has changed his outlook on life and made him realize that everyone is “fighting a battle” just like him and that “everyone is going through something.”
“I realized that kindness is the most important thing, because when you meet someone you know or don’t know, you have no idea what’s going on in their life, their body, etc. So I decided to focus on kindness,” he continued.
Despite his illness, Frampton finished touring last year and released his 19th solo studio album, Carry the Light, on May 15th. The album was co-written and produced by his son Julian and features guest appearances by Sheryl Crow, HER, Tom Morello and Graham Nash.
Frampton is also celebrating his new documentary, “Frampton,” which premieres Thursday night at the Tribeca Festival. Directed by Frampton’s own longtime bandleader Rob Arthur, this fascinating film features rare archival footage, candid interviews, and, of course, great concert moments.
Fifty years ago, the double album Frampton Comes Alive was released, spawning hit singles and selling over 7 million copies, making it one of the best-selling live albums of all time.
The “Show Me the Way” crooner admitted to Page Six that when he heard the album had surpassed Carole King’s “Tapestry” record, he “was so scared that things started going wrong” and he started “panicking” about his next move.
Amazingly, his career got back on track when he played guitar on David Bowie’s 1987 “Glass Spider Tour,” a tour with an old friend.
The two first met when Bowie, then known as David Jones, was learning art from Frampton’s father.
Frampton clearly remembers seeing a young Bowie playing saxophone and singing in the band and asking his father about him.
“He said, ‘Oh, that’s Jones, he’s so creative,'” Frampton’s father told him. “And from that point on, the next year I went to that school and at (our) first lunch time, I made a beeline for Dave. We’ve been friends ever since.”
Bowie sadly passed away on January 10, 2016 after a private battle with cancer. He was 69 years old.
Frampton’s film also reveals the close bond he shares with his three children, Julian (with whom he works), Jade, and Mia. The latter had an unforgettable cameo in the hit film Bridesmaids, playing a teenage boy who has a long and hilarious exchange with star Kristen Wiig.
“Like all the kids, I’m very lucky,” Frampton exclaimed. “We all have a great relationship.”
