Peter Frampton’s Scorching Six-String Onslaught Incinerated Caesars Windsor on March 15, 2024.
Peter Frampton’s blistering performance at Caesars Windsor Friday night (March 15, 2024) was a soul-shaking, earth-shattering testament to his unrelenting passion and the raw, primal power of his music. At 73 years young, Frampton didn’t just prove that he’s still the king of his domain; he showed us that, like a fine whiskey from Hiram Walker Distillery’s hallowed barrels, his talent has only grown more potent, more complex, and more intoxicating with each passing year. From the moment he emerged on stage, Frampton unleashed a maelstrom of sound that left the audience reeling, reminding us all why he is a living legend, a guitar god, and surely, a soon-to-be immortal in the hallowed halls of rock ‘n’ roll.
The moment Frampton stormed the stage, he seized the audience by the throat with his unparalleled musicianship and infectious, primal energy. Kicking things off with the powerful punch of “Golden Goose,” he set the tone for an unforgettable evening of pure, unadulterated rock ‘n’ roll mayhem. He kept the onslaught going with the introspective intensity of “Lying” and a soulful, gritty rendition of Humble Pie’s “Shine On,” showcasing his versatility as a musical force of nature.
Frampton’s guitar playing was nothing short of phenomenal throughout the night – a masterclass in virtuosic shredding and riff-slinging badassery. Despite his ongoing battle with the degenerative clutches of Inclusion Body Myositis (IBM), his fingers danced across the fretboard with sublime precision and fiery finesse. His solos were utterly breathtaking, particularly during the extended, 15-minute-plus epic “Do You Feel Like We Do,” which featured mesmerizing solos from every member of his band of sonic warriors.
The setlist was a perfect mix of Frampton’s hard-hitting solo classics and gems from his Humble Pie days. Anthems like “Show Me the Way,” “Baby, I Love Your Way,” and “I Wanna Go to the Sun” had the crowd singing along in raucous unison, while deeper cuts like “The Crying Clown” and “All I Wanna Be (Is by Your Side)” showcased his songwriting prowess and emotional depth. The inclusion of Humble Pie favorites “Four Day Creep” and “I Don’t Need No Doctor” in the encore was a delightful gut-punch for the die-hard fans.
Frampton’s band deserves special mention – these guys were undoubtedly one of the tightest, most electrifying ensembles I’ve ever witnessed live. Each musician was a virtuoso in their own right, and their chemistry with Frampton was evident from the start, creating an unbreakable sonic bond. Together, they constructed a towering wall of sound that enveloped the audience and transported us to the very depths of rock ‘n’ roll nirvana.
The evening also featured some unexpected treats that showcased Frampton’s boundless versatility. His soulful, smoldering cover of “Georgia (on My Mind)” paid homage to the definitive Ray Charles version, while his haunting take on Soundgarden’s “Black Hole Sun” was a mostly instrumental tour-de-force, with just a touch of talk box at the end that made it surprisingly heavier and more visceral than the original. These daring choices demonstrated Frampton’s ability to put his own indelible stamp on a wide range of material and make it utterly his own.
Frampton and his band capped off the night by unleashing a soul-searching unearthly rendition of The Beatles’ “While My Guitar Gently Weeps” – a scorching tribute to one of his greatest influences that left the audience’s souls singed.
After bringing the house down with that gem, Frampton took a moment to stare down the awestruck crowd. With a steely determination burning in his eyes, as he stood with a cane, he spoke of his unwavering determination to keep playing, to keep fighting, and to never let the degenerative grip of Inclusion Body Myositis silence his guitar or his voice. That statement cut through the silence like a blazing hot knife, igniting a fire within every person in attendance. In that moment, it became clear that this living legend would never stop waging war against the forces trying to strip him of his life’s passion and purpose.
Frampton may be in the twilight of his career, but he continues to shine brighter than ever.
All photos by Dan Savoie
