Peter Frampton Forgot He Played on 1 Ringo Starr Hit
Ringo Starr‘s songs often feature guest stars. For example, one of his best singles features a guitar solo from Peter Frampton. Here’s what Frampton had to say about it decades after the fact.
Peter Frampton was 1 of many stars to work on Ringo Starr songs
During the peak years of his solo career, Ringo needed a little help from his friends. For example, he wrote “Photograph” with George Harrison. “Snookeroo” was an Elton John/Bernie Taupin ditty. “You’re Sixteen” was penned by the Sherman Brothers, the same duo who wrote songs for Disney movies like Mary Poppins, The Jungle Book, and Bedknobs and Broomsticks. It was a hit for Johnny Burnett long before Ringo got a hold of it.
His rock-worshipping tune “A Dose of Rock ‘n’ Roll” was no different. It features guitar work from Frampton. During a 2013 interview with Guitar World, Frampton was asked if he played the solo on the track. “I can’t remember [laughs],” he said. “It was the ’70s, and I know I was sober for the session, but I’m not sure about right after.”
Frampton revealed that doing something could jog his memory. “I’d have to listen to it again and see,” he said. “People keep coming up to me, saying, ‘Is this you on this?’ And I have to go listen to it to find out. I did more sessions than I remember doing. There were a lot of things in the ’70s that I played on that people keep reminding me about.”
Frampton then listened to the solo. “Yeah, the first part is me,” he responded. “I forgot all about that! That’s me. And then, I forget who it is that comes in there, but that sounds like I’m playing my Gibson and then a Telecaster or a Strat comes in.”
Why the song is a necessary part of the former Beatle’s catlog
“A Dose of Rock ‘n’ Roll” isn’t as good as “Photograph” or “Back Off Boogaloo” (possibly because George had nothing to do with it), but it’s still one of Ringo’s best songs. The track is all about the way that a dose of rock ‘n’ roll can help you overcome your troubles.
Every great rock star needs a song about how awesome his genre is and Ringo was no exception. The track has a great vibe and it came from the right artist. As famous and successful as he got, Ringo still saw some hard times — and rock music helped him out of those dark times.
How Ringo Starr’s ‘A Dose of Rock ‘n’ Roll’ performed
“A Dose of Rock ‘n’ Roll” was a modest hit at best. It reached No. 26 on the Billboard Hot 100, staying on the chart for nine weeks. It appeared on the record Ringo’s Rotogravure. That album reached No. 28 and charted for nine weeks.
Audiences in the United Kingdom were even less receptive to “A Dose of Rock ‘n’ Roll.” The Official Charts Company reports the song didn’t even chart there. Neither did Ringo’s Rotogravure. Maybe Ringo made the wrong decision to give the public a dose of rock ‘n’ roll at a time when they couldn’t get enough of easy-listening music.
“A Dose of Rock ‘n’ Roll” wasn’t successful, but it’s cool to hear two rock legends collaborate.
