h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

What I don't understand is this: Frampton Comes Alive! is the LP
that introduced the vast majority of people to him. Although he'd
been in Humple Pie, Frampton's Camel and The Herd, most had
never heard of him (sorry!) So, if it is established that he was a
virtual unknown before FCA!, and that all of the tunes he was
playing on FCA! were fairly unknown ones - why is it that he
sounds as if he's playing $@%# Woodstock? Why is the crowd
going so bananas for him, singing-along to songs that(for the most
part) THEY'VE NEVER HEARD?! It wasn't as if he was already a
big star, touring "Frampton's Greatest Hits" or anything, and yet
that is the reaction. Someone please explain this strange phe

He has a big family.

I've heard that it was a studio album. I think that's why they called it "...comes alive" as opposed to "Live" which would have been fraudulent.

Having been involved in Rock'n'Roll touring and such like for more years than I care to recount I would venture to suggest that , maybe, just maybe, the vastly enthusiastic crowd were dubbed on afterwards. One artist i worked with had a large tape running all around the studio with crowd cheering type noises on it.
I worked with Peter Frampton in 1978 on a European Tour and the sight that I will never forget is when we (sweaty roadies all) were loading out of the venue in Switzerland and the 'star' was leaving. His two bodyguards flanked the exit and, cloaked in a large fur coat, Peter swished into the chilly Swiss air fully prepared to brush aside autograph hunters and swooning girlies. Only to find no autograph hunters and swooning girlies. Ah sweet moments.

Drugs. They were on lots of drugs. And they knew they would probably be going home with some carefully selected crowd member.

I have to say that I too have heard if was not a "live" album. And actually, it doesn't really sound all that live, his voice and the music are really quite to clear for live recordings of that vintage.

It was surely the facination with the sound that came from the spittle soaked dishwasher hose that the guitar ( axe ! ) was feeding back throuh .
I personally remember being fascinated by the sound and rushing to the shed to construct a similar device.