Peter Frampton is showing fans the way to his next musical era, announcing Tuesday (March 17) that he’ll be dropping his first album of original music in 16 years in May.
Titled Carry the Light, the LP will arrive May 15 and features a number of star collaborators. The first single, “Buried Treasure” — a tribute song in honor of Tom Petty — dropped on the day of the album announcement.
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In a post on Instagram, the rocker wrote, “This record is a very special one for me. I got to write and produce it with my son Julian, as well as work with some wonderful friends along the way.’
Among the featured artists are Sheryl Crow, who sings with Frampton on “Breaking the Mold,” and H.E.R., who plays guitar alongside the Humble Pie alum on “Islamorada.” Tom Morello fittingly appears on a track titled “Lions at the Gate,” which is described as a “protest song” in a release.
Also on the record are Graham Nash on “I’m Sorry Elle,” Benmont Tench on “Buried Treasure” and saxophonist Bill Evans on “Can You Take Me There” and “Tinderbox.”
Frampton’s last proper album, Thank You Mr. Churchill, dropped in 2010 and appeared on the Billboard 200, on which the guitarist has scored 14 entries total. His 1976 live album, Frampton Comes Alive, spent 10 weeks at No. 1 on the chart.
The new project will also mark his first full-length since being inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2024. He was also present at the induction ceremony the year prior, playing alongside Class of 2023 member Crow during her performance that night — which also saw Morello accepting an induction on behalf of Rage Against the Machine.
“[Sheryl] stirred the pot big-time and made people aware — including some of the board members, I think,” Frampton told Billboard in 2024 of crediting Crow with his nomination to the Rock Hall. “They thought I was already in.”
See Frampton’s announcement and listen to “Buried Treasure” below.
