Black Hole Sun

The Zoo Crew is spinning the groovy vibes of "Black Hole Sun" by Peter Frampton, a track from his 2006 album Fingerprints, not Test, as the Zoo Freaks might have misheard in their psychedelic haze. This instrumental cover of Soundgarden’s iconic song is a bluesy, swampy masterpiece that won Frampton a Grammy for Best Rock Instrumental Performance. In a 2019 interview on The Howard Stern Show, Frampton shared that when he first heard Soundgarden’s original in his car, he pulled over, cranked the volume, and declared it “the best song I’ve ever heard, ever,” even surpassing his love for The Beatles. He described the “ecstasy” of getting lost in the song’s live performance, a sentiment echoed by Howard Stern, who admitted the song’s profound emotional pull left its meaning elusive yet deeply felt.

Frampton’s connection to “Black Hole Sun” runs deeper than a cover. He performed it live with Soundgarden’s Chris Cornell, a close friend, on several occasions, including a memorable 2007 Nashville show captured on YouTube. In a KansasCity.com interview, Cornell marveled at the surreal honor of Frampton covering his song, recalling how unthinkable it was for a kid from Seattle to imagine the Frampton Comes Alive! legend praising his work. Frampton’s 2019 Finale Farewell Tour stop at Madison Square Garden featured a tribute to Cornell, with Frampton recounting their shared performances before launching into an explosive rendition of the song. Fans on Reddit have raved about Frampton’s live covers, with one 2010 post describing a Chicago crowd left stunned by his unexpected, soulful take.

Another layer of trivia comes from the 2018 I Am The Highway tribute concert for Cornell, where Frampton joined Brandi Carlile and Soundgarden members on stage. Carlile tweaked a lyric to “No one sings like HIM anymore,” pointing to the crowd in a nod to Cornell’s unmatched vocal legacy. Frampton’s instrumental version, featuring Pearl Jam’s Matt Cameron and Mike McCready, translates the song’s emotional weight through his guitar, a feat fans on My Les Paul Forum called “damn tasteful.” A 2017 Philadelphia performance at The Mann Center, dedicated to Cornell’s family, saw Frampton use his signature talkbox to mimic Cornell’s voice, blending innovation with heartfelt homage.

Peter Frampton’s journey to rock stardom began in Beckenham, Kent, where he was born on April 22, 1950. Showing musical promise early, he joined his first band, The Preachers, at 15, managed by The Rolling Stones’ Bill Wyman. By 16, he was lead singer and guitarist for The Herd, scoring late-’60s UK hits like “From the Underworld.” In 1968, Frampton co-founded Humble Pie with Steve Marriott of Small Faces, blending raw rock with bluesy grit. After leaving Humble Pie in 1971, he formed Frampton’s Camel and went solo, but it was his 1976 live album Frampton Comes Alive! that skyrocketed him to fame. Recorded at San Francisco’s Winterland, it sold over 16 million copies, becoming the best-selling live album ever, with hits like “Show Me the Way” and “Baby, I Love Your Way.”

Frampton’s career wasn’t without struggles. The massive success of Frampton Comes Alive! pigeonholed him, with fans craving the live hits over new material, as noted in Songfacts comments. A near-fatal car accident in the late ’70s and personal challenges led to a “sobering moment” that spurred his sobriety and career reinvention. His versatility shone through collaborations with David Bowie, George Harrison, and Ringo Starr, and his 2024 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction, celebrated on X, cemented his legacy. Roger Daltrey, inducting him, praised Frampton’s heartfelt guitar work and infectious joy.

Stay connected with Frampton through his official website, where you can find tour updates and vinyl box sets. Follow him on Facebook, Instagram, and X for personal insights and fan interactions. Zoo Freaks can dive deeper at fan sites like Songfacts or join discussions on Facebook fan groups dedicated to his music. Keep spinning those records, and let Frampton’s “Black Hole Sun” wash away the cosmic blues!