Peter Frampton says that he is planning to issue a double album this summer, his first release in three years. He's hinting at another mysterious project in the works. And he says he's going to go on tour for about 50 dates across the country.
Yet the most significant news is what Frampton, the British star best known for "Frampton Comes Alive," one of history's bestselling live rock albums, revealed as the sobering motivation.
In two interviews released Saturday, one with CBS and one with Rolling Stone, Frampton, 68, said he had a degenerative muscle disease called inclusion body myositis, also known as IBM. The disease causes muscles to weaken over time but generally does not affect life expectancy.
His condition will not affect his singing voice, Frampton said, but it could slow his fingers and his ability to move around. "In a year's time, I might not be able to play," Frampton told Rolling Stone, adding, "I want to record as much as I can in the shortest space of time."
Frampton became the lead singer and guitarist for the Herd at 16, and two years later co-founded Humble Pie. His popularity in the United States skyrocketed after the 1976 release of "Frampton Comes Alive," a double album that has sold more than 17 million copies. It features songs like "Baby, I Love Your Way" and "Show Me the Way." The Musicians Hall of Fame inducted Frampton in 2014.
Soledad O'Brien reports from Brainerd
Soledad O'Brien has drawn more daunting assignments in her journalism career, but you wouldn't know it by the way she shivered through a recent assignment in Minnesota. The Emmy-winning correspondent braved the elements last month to report on the Brainerd Jaycees Annual Ice Fishing Extravaganza for "Real Sports With Bryant Gumbel." The 11-minute segment will premiere Tuesday on HBO. Much of the story focuses on Dan Eigen, a local fishing guide who helps O'Brien to bait a hook and understand that Minnesotans aren't just stock characters out of "Fargo." O'Brien, who plays the big-city gal who can't quite understand why anyone would brace frigid weather to stick a rod down a hole, seems tickled by the chance to participate along with 10,000 competitors. But she's even more thrilled when Eigen invites her to drop a line within the confines of his decked-out van. "You know what I like?" she said. "That we're indoors."
concert news: After winning the Grammy for best rap album and topping many year-end best-of lists for 2018, Cardi B is turning into an arena headliner in 2019. The "Bodak Yellow" and "I Like It" hitmaker will hit Target Center on July 27 as part of her first major tour. Rappers Kevin Gates and Saweetie will open. Cardi B was supposed to open for her "Please Me" collaborator Bruno Mars at Xcel Energy Center last year, fresh off releasing her well-received debut album "Invasion of Privacy."
Staff and New York Times
