Monday, April 20, 2009

Peter Frampton @ Hartford, CT

Performers: Peter Frampton
Date: July, 1976
Venue: Colt Park, Hartford, CT
cost of ticket: N/A

Colt Park was a huge outdoor arena in Hartford. Sometimes we would go and just see if we could get in, or perhaps sit up on this hill and listen to the music for free. I don't remember if Peter was traveling without a backup band so he could play his characteristic long show all for himself. The phenomenon "Frampton Comes Alive" album was just released, so we came to experience the live buzz that we all felt on the recording.

Did you see this concert? If so, please leave your memories, comments, thoughts and ideas . . .

14 comments:

Anonymous said...

This was a concert I will always remember. All I had to do was drive some fellow sailors from Sub Base New London CT. They bought my ticket. It was a good combo with Gary Wright as an opening act.
Those where the days...

Anonymous said...

I was at that concert and Gary Wright was one of the two bands that played before Frampton. I cannot remember the name of the other band but thought that it included at least one former member of Humble Pie. I bought their album (long gone) and am trying to find the name of the band and any music that may still be in circulation.

Joe D. said...

I was at the show, too. Remeber Frampton falling off the stage to start the show? The opening band (before Gary Wright) was called "Natural Gas". From Wikipedia: Joey Molland left Badfinger in late 1974 due to disagreements over management. In 1975, he joined with Jerry Shirley (formerly of Humble Pie) and formed a group called Natural Gas. The band released the LP Natural Gas on Private Stock Records in 1976, and enjoyed a successful tour with Peter Frampton the following year. According to Molland, a general lack of organization led to the band's demise late in 1977.

Fran Bennett said...

I was there also! One of the things I remember the most was Frampton came running on stage and fell off into the security pit. When he came back up form the pit he said to the crowed ‘I ripped my bloody pants” turned around and showed his ass hanging out. And of course my girl friend went wild. I was at every show that year until the Jethro Tull riot. That’s when the remaining schedule moved to the Civic Center.

Gretchen said...

I too was there with my two girlfriends, Gary Wright performed "dreamweaver" & some other tunes.When Peter Frampton ran out he was wearing bright pink satin pants that hugged him well!! I was feeling pretty good by that time,now I don't recall his fall, but I do remember he said that he " must have had too many glasses of wine". Concert was quite awesome, I still have the t shirt from it!! I am blessed to have been in the 1 or 2 row, we were determined to be up front!!!! Awesome memories!!!

Unknown said...

I was there as well....Remember blowing some weed, watching Gary Wright and Dream Weaver, then Frampton was coming onto the stage. I happened to look at my GF at the time, and poof - Frampton was gone! Heard he fell thru part of the staging and cracked a few ribs. He still played real kewl.

Anonymous said...

I was at this concert too. He put on a great show that day.
We came down from Westfield Ma.
It was July 1st 1976.
I entered the Marine Corps July 19th 1976.

qp423 said...

I was there! I remember him tripping/falling!! And yes, I remember Natural Gas & Gary Wright. I was 16 and there with 2 friends, my older brother & his friend drove us there. GREAT concert that I have never forgotten. I still listen to the "album" and also Humble Pie!

Anonymous said...

I was at Colt Park that day and watched them opening soda cans and dumping them just in case it was liquor. I loved Gary Wright and Peter. We were all so surprised when he fell off the stage and then came back in blue and white zig sag pants! We used to BLAST this album at 3am when the cb'ers would find our 20! Scarlet Black - Connecticut

Anonymous said...

I was there too. Great memories ... 70's music and muscle cars. I found what looks like a video of the concert at
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5abBHyD_ED0
Doesn't have original audio.

Unknown said...

Me and my friends went, had to ask for directions and of course my friend made a mistake of driving up to some kids at a hydrant and asked where it was. They cupped the hydrant flow and it soaked the car. Didn't dampen our spirits though. I have the Natural Gas album somewhere. And I believe I read it was two broken ribs. Somehow I don't think it was too much wine if you know what I mean. But what a show, and on broken ribs. Good for him.

Unknown said...

Two broken ribs if I remember. He was a showman and toughed it out. Not sure it was too much wine if you know what I mean. We had stopped to get directions and before I could tell my friend that asking kids playing with a hydrant might be a bad idea, he pulled up my other friend already had the window down and the kid cupped the waterflow and sent it right in the car. Didn't dampen our spirits. We were on our way to the gig and had plenty of wine too (wink)

Unknown said...

I was there, with a friend, my brother and his friend. The latter two hitch-hiked from Vernon to Hartford. They held a sign, written on card board that read "Frampton" and were picked up in about five minutes. It was a sea of people in the park. Just wonderful. Frampton did run onto stage and promptly fell into the stage pit. Got back on stage, sat on a bar stool and performed "Penny for your thoughts" to recuperate, then into the full-fledged Frampton Comes Alive album. Gary Wright was amazing as well. We did bring bottle rockets and fireworks and were center stage - about 50 yards or so from where the band was. We did let go a few bottle rockets towards the stage which Peter gracefully swatted away. Dear Lord - everyone was wasted. Left the next month for the Navy - spent 24 years in and retired in 2000. Still have vivid memories of that concert. Greatest one I ever attended.

Peter Karel Kraus said...

Natural Gas

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