The former  'Face of 1968', with his pin-up good looks as part of the 60s pop group the Herd, Frampton grew his hair longer and  joined Humble Pie. His solo career debuted with Wind Of Change in 1971, although he immediately set about forming another band, Frampton's Camel, to carry out US concert dates. This formidable unit consisted of Mike Kellie (b. 24 March 1947, Birmingham, England; drums), Rick Wills (bass) and Mickey Gallagher (keyboards), all seasoned players from Spooky Tooth, Cochise and Bell And Arc, respectively.

    Frampton in 1975 was a great success in the USA, while in the UK he was commercially ignored. The following year a double set recorded at Winterland in San Francisco, Frampton Comes Alive!, scaled the US chart and stayed on top for a total of 10 weeks, in four visits during a record- breaking two-year stay. It also reached number 6 in the UK album chart.

    The record became the biggest-selling live album in history and to date has sold over 12 million copies. Quite why the record was so successful has perplexed many rock critics. Like Jeff Beck, Frampton perfected the voice tube effect and used this gimmick on 'Show Me The Way', a US number 6 hit in February 1976 (this single was also Frampton's only UK Top 10 entry). The follow-up, I'm In You, sold in vast quantities, although compared to the former it was a flop, selling a modest 'several million'. The title-track climbed to number 2 in the US singles chart in May 1977.

    Again Frampton found little critical acclaim, but his records were selling in vast quantities. He continued to reach  younger audiences with aplomb. In 1978 he suffered a near   fatal car crash, although his fans were able to see him in  the previously filmed Sgt Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club  Band. Frampton played Billy Shears alongside the Bee Gees in the Robert Stigwood extravaganza that was a commercial and critical disaster.

    When he returned in 1979 with Where I Should Be, his star was dwindling. The album garnered favourable reviews, but it was his last successful record. Even the short-haired image for Breaking All The Rules failed, with only America, his loyal base, nudging it into the Top 50. Following The Art Of Control Frampton 'disappeared' until 1986, when he was signed to Virgin Records and released the synthesizer-laced Premonition. He returned to session  work thereafter. Later on in the decade Frampton was found playing guitar with his former schoolfriend David Bowie on his 1987 release Never Let Me Down.

    In 1991 he was allegedly making plans to re-form Humble Pie with Steve Marriott, but a week after their meeting in New  York, Marriott was tragically burnt to death in his Essex home. He diverted his interest to the other great success of his career in 1995 by releasing Frampton Comes Alive II.