Rock star Peter Frampton: ‘The very first song I ever sang in public was Buddy Holly’

“Pretty, pretty, pretty, pretty Peggy Sue,” a boy-aged Peter Frampton sang to the tune of his favorite Buddy Holly hit. It was his first time singing in front of a crowd, and all eyes from his local Cub Scout chapter watched closely as the 9-year-old strummed along on his guitar.

He had been eager to show off the survival skills he obtained as a scout but had nothing to prove his accomplishments. Albeit his friends were fully adorned in wilderness badges, he had only “naked arms” to show.

As he sought to conceal them with hard-earned badges, Frampton almost immediately failed his first task: fire starting, which he had attempted during a months-long downpour before returning to his scoutmaster in search of an easier mission.

“’I’ve heard on good authority that you play an instrument,’” Frampton recalled his leader saying. He excitedly confirmed his talent and earned his first badge – the music merit badge – the following week by performing Buddy Holly’s 1957 chart-topper “Peggy Sue."

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Since his 1959 singing debut, Frampton has performed at hundreds of shows around the globe, won five Grammy awards, made cameo appearances in several iconic films – including Cameron Crowe's 2000 film "Almost Famous" – and earned his way into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.

Inevitably, Frampton’s first stop on his Farewell Tour will take place in what's set to be a crowded auditorium at Buddy Holly Hall on Aug. 6. In the hometown of the late legend Holly – who died at 22 years old as his career was just taking off – Frampton will perform among other rock ‘n’ roll idols Duane Eddy, James Burton, Steve Cropper, Albert Lee, Garry Tallent, Joe Louis Walker and Sonny West to belatedly celebrate what would have been Holly’s 85^th birthday last year.

We spoke to the now 72-year-old music star about his upcoming performance and the bittersweet emotions that fill him as he approaches his final tour, and of course, his love for Buddy Holly. While he's keeping the setlist under wraps, he said he's confident his fans will “not be disappointed” – though he confirmed one song on the premise that it would stay a secret and shared another that we're keeping a surprise treat for his fans.

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Of course we’re here to talk about Buddy Holly, but also you as its your Farewell Tour. How does it feel after, what, 60 years of performing?

“We just had two years of not playing at all, so I can’t even work (the length of time) out anymore. Yeah, I’m looking forward to it. Obviously, a lot (is) because of Buddy Holly – the first song I ever sang in public was Buddy Holly – and that means so much to me. I’m honored to be asked. You know, when you get a call from Duane Eddy, who I’ve been friends with so any years, and he invites you to do something like this? Well, first of all, you would never say no. It was very easy to say yes.”

Looking at your tour, this stop is only one of two US locations. To me, this seems like a testament to your appreciation for Buddy Holly. What is it about him or his music that most inspires you?

“It was really the very beginning of me learning to play guitar.

"At the same time as Buddy, there was Eddie Cochran and all these people that that played guitar and wrote their own music or sang and played – which was the most important thing to me. Buddy was pretty techie, and he recorded a lot of his later stuff in his New York apartment on his own tape recorder, and I loved that. He always had a great sound; his playing was great; and electric guitar was coming to the fore at that time, so he was definitely a major influence for me.

"And as I've said before, the very first song I ever sang in public was a Buddy Holly song."

It’s always been interesting to me that I’ve never actually met anyone who disliked Buddy Holly or his music in the same way that other major artists are disliked. Why do you think that is?

“Buddy made songs that appealed to everybody. At that time, it was very fresh, and it was simple.

"When he came out, it was just guitar, bass and drums – before he made the band bigger. Nothing was too involved in his songs, but they’re classics. They were just simple – and I’m saying that as a good thing. Simplicity always wins.

"He’s very inspiring to many musicians still today – especially in England. I think Buddy is bigger in England, still now, than he is anywhere else.”

Except Lubbock, right?

“Except Lubbock, Texas, of course.”

Speaking of Lubbock, have you ever performed here?

“Yes, I have. I’ve played here with the Humble Pies and when I went back to the opening bill again. I’m sure I’ve played here many times throughout my career. Unfortunately, when you're touring, it's like, you see the hotel and the stage – that’s about it.”

For the upcoming tour, you have several other tours – across Europe, mainly, right? Are there any opening acts you’re really excited to perform with? What else are you excited about?

“We're still working on that, on who that's going to be.

"I have eights shows in UK and EU, and that will be my farewell to my homeland. It's going to be bittersweet as it was in America and Canada. I get chills when I think about it, to be honest. I’m sure it’ll be the same – you know, how the audience was – they didn’t want to say goodbye. Each night I had to tell them to go home and got choked up a little bit.

"I can't tell you the love that I felt coming from the crowds every night, every single night.”

I have no doubt that Lubbock won’t want to say goodbye either. Have you planned your setlist for our show yet?

“I have but (I’m keeping that to myself). I don’t think you’ll be disappointed though.”

Well, I'm so excited to see you perform, nonetheless. And I don't want to get into it unless you are comfortable talking about it – but with your diagnosis, how will this change the atmosphere of your final tour?

“I’ve had IBM (Inclusion Body Myositis - a progressive muscle disorder) for over 10 years now, so I’m very lucky that it is progressing very slowly. It is starting to affect my hands, and that’s worrying. Unfortunately, I’m going to sit down for the shows because it’s really taken its toll on my legs. We’ve rehearsed that way already, so this will be the first time I’m doing that for safety’s sake.”

Regardless if you’re standing up or sitting down, I have no doubt that people will just be happy to see Peter Frampton.

“Thank you. That’s very kind. I’m looking forward to being there next week.”

This article originally appeared on Lubbock Avalanche-Journal: Peter Frampton shares Buddy Holly memories ahead of Lubbock show