Peter Frampton’s 26-year wait for induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a solo artist is finally over.
“I think I’m a little bit in shock, and speechless,” Frampton told Billboard from his home in Nashville. “I never expected this. People always said, ‘You should be in.’ I said, ‘Eh, what is to be,’ y’know? So mixed emotions, because it’s something that I just never expected, whereas other people did for me. It’s wonderful.”
Frampton was also thrilled to have finished second in the fan vote with 528,000 votes, behind only the Dave Matthews Band. “You never quite know how you are regarded,” Frampton explained. “I don’t think about that; I just do my thing. But ending up in the number two position blew me away, actually. It’s an honor people regard me in this way. I’m just honored and blown away.”
Foreigner leader and guitarist Mick Jones echoed Frampton’s excitement. “I think it means more to me now than perhaps 20 years ago,” Jones told Billboard. “I’ve had a great career, and this is like the whipped cream and cherry on top. It’s something I will savor over the years. It’s a great honor to be included amongst all these great artists that have been inducted over the years.”
Rick Wills, Foreigner’s bassist from 1979 to 1993, added, “We’re more than thrilled. It’s been over 20 years since we’ve been waiting for this day.”
For years, the Hall of Fame seemed out of reach for Foreigner, despite their successful career and chart-topping hits. However, once Jann Wenner, a co-founder of Rolling Stone magazine and the Hall of Fame, was kicked out of the Hall’s board of directors, Foreigner finally received their first nomination.
