Peter Frampton
Peter Frampton is an English rock guitarist and songwriter whose collaboration with David Bowie reached its peak during the ambitious Glass Spider Tour of 1987. Frampton served not only as lead guitarist but also as musical director, shaping the sound and structure of Bowie’s late-1980s live performances.
Best known for his virtuosic guitar work and pioneering use of the talk box, Frampton brought technical authority and musical clarity to one of Bowie’s most theatrical tours.
- Born: 1950, Beckenham, England
- Primary role: Guitarist, musical director
- With Bowie: 1987
- Associated works: Never Let Me Down, Glass Spider Tour
Early career
Peter Frampton began his professional career at a remarkably young age, first gaining attention with bands such as Humble Pie before achieving global success as a solo artist. His 1976 album Frampton Comes Alive! became one of the best-selling live albums in rock history.
Joining David Bowie
In the mid-1980s, David Bowie invited Frampton to join him on a new touring project. Bowie was seeking a guitarist capable of anchoring a large, theatrically staged production while maintaining musical discipline and cohesion.
The Glass Spider Tour
During the 1987 Glass Spider Tour, Frampton acted as musical director, overseeing arrangements and leading the band on stage. His role was central in translating Bowie’s catalogue into a stadium-scale performance combining choreography, narrative and spectacle.
Never Let Me Down and career revival
David Bowie’s 1987 album Never Let Me Down is often regarded as one of the weaker entries in his catalogue. For Peter Frampton, however, its importance cannot be overstated. In later interviews, Frampton credited his work with Bowie — both on the album and its accompanying Glass Spider Tour — with helping to revive his career at a crucial moment.
“The ’80s were a difficult period for me,” Frampton explained. “It wasn’t until my dear friend David Bowie got me out on the road for the Glass Spider tour and onto his Never Let Me Down record that I was reintroduced as a guitar player around the world. I can never thank him enough for believing in me, and for seeing past the image of the satin pants and big hair to the guitar player he first met when we played together in school.”
Bowie and Frampton first became friends while attending Bromley Technical School, but despite their long-standing connection, they had never worked together professionally until Never Let Me Down. By that time, Frampton’s career had stalled following the enormous success of Frampton Comes Alive! and the commercial failure of the Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band film.
Although Frampton released several albums in the years that followed, none reached the heights of his 1970s peak. In later years, he came to terms with his legacy, embracing his place in rock history while continuing to perform to appreciative audiences.
Legacy
Peter Frampton’s role in David Bowie’s live history represents one of the most structured and musically disciplined partnerships of Bowie’s later touring years. His contribution helped stabilise and elevate a complex production, while Bowie’s belief in Frampton proved decisive in restoring his confidence and visibility as a guitarist.