Why Peter Frampton’s ‘I’m in You’ Was Doomed to Fail

Peter Frampton turned an in a single day sensation with the discharge of 1976’s Frampton Comes Alive! However when the younger rocker hit the studio to file its follow-up, I am in You, he had nowhere to go however down.

After establishing himself within the psychedelic pop-rock band the Herd and blues-rock supergroup Humble Pie, Frampton launched into a solo profession within the early ’70s, releasing a number of albums and touring relentlessly earlier than lastly getting his break with Frampton Comes Alive! The double stay LP offered 8 million copies within the U.S. and cemented his identification as a loud, raucous rock ‘n’ curler.

There was no time for Frampton to take pleasure in his newfound superstar, as A&M Information clamored for a follow-up to Frampton Comes Alive! The stress to observe up his blockbuster stay album and show himself as a studio artist was daunting. To make issues worse, because the dashing guitarist’s stardom grew, his notion additionally modified from credible rock star to heartthrob teen idol.

This shift was instantly obvious on I am in You, whose cowl options Frampton sitting in an unbuttoned shirt and giving a sultry look to the digicam, whereas its title monitor and lead single is a young piano ballad. It was a deliberate try and additional endear Frampton to a pop viewers — and it kind of labored.

I am in You peaked at No. 2 on the Billboard 200 and rapidly went platinum, and its title monitor hit No. 2 on the Billboard Sizzling 100. However the album drastically undersold expectations, and Frampton’s new pinup mannequin standing alienated his rock followers and supporters on FM radio. His profession obtained one other dying blow when he starred in 1978’s critically reviled Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Membership Band film, starting a decade-long industrial tailspin.

Watch the video under to be taught extra about Frampton’s I am in You, and tune into our “Doomed to Fail?” video collection every week as we mud off ill-fated traditional rock albums and decide whether or not they’re hidden gems or higher left forgotten.