Peter Frampton labels himself a “fighter” in health update
English guitarist Peter Frampton has opened up about his battle with body myositis, declaring himself a “fighter”.
Frampton was diagnosed with the degenerative disease in 2019 and has relentlessly used his public profile to spread awareness of body myositis, which is also commonly referred to as IBM. The illness causes muscles to weaken over time, especially in the hands and legs, which could impact Frampton’s ability to play live.
Although Frampton previously embarked upon a farewell tour in 2019 as he expected to be unable to perform for much longer, however, much to his delight, he’s still feeling as strong as ever. The musician recently wrapped up his Never Ever Say Never tour, and Frampton shows no signs of slowing down for as long as his health allows him to step foot on stage.
In addition to spreading the word about body myositis, Frampton has established the Peter Frampton Myositis Research Fund at Johns Hopkins, the facility where he has been receiving treatment. He’s also donated money from live shows to the charitable body.
Last year, as a result of his charitable work, Frampton received the 2023 Patient Ambassador Award in person from the Myositis Association. The prize is handed to figures that have “demonstrated extraordinary effort and success raising awareness of myositis diseases within the larger community”.
Now, in a new interview with People, he called himself a “fighter” and vowed to continue playing live despite the difficulties he faces. Opening up about the challenges, Frampton conceded: “When we’re on set, we all sit down now because I have to sit down, so my whole band sits down, and it’s kind of like we’re in the living room, you know even though it’s a big venue.”
Although his battle with body myositis has made his body weaker, Frampton has thanked fans for providing “this huge pair of arms that are around us on stage and me.”
The former David Bowie collaborator then said it was “humbling to feel their special love for me” when discussing his fans, and also labelled them as “pretty incredible.”
While Frampton has felt uplifted by the support of his fans, his IBM battle has “started to affect the way I play just because of the pressure that I need to press down on the frets.”
Although Frampton doesn’t have any tour dates currently in the schedule for the foreseeable future, the guitarist is determined to not let the degenerative disease prevent him from living his dream.
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