The Yardbirds

The Yardbirds Artistfacts

  • 1963-1968, 2003-
    Keith RelfVocals1963-1968
    Chris DrejaGuitar1963-2013
    Paul Samwell-SmithBass1963-1968
    Jim McCartyDrums1963-
    Eric ClaptonGuitar1963-1965
    Jeff BeckGuitar1965-1966
    Jimmy PageGuitar1966-1968
    Earl SlickBass, guitar2015
    John IdanGuitar1992-
    Myke ScavoneVocals2015-
    Kenny AaronsonBass2015-
  • One of the lesser known British Invasion bands, The Yardbirds produced three of the greatest guitarists of all time: Eric Clapton, Jeff Beck, and Jimmy Page. Their heavy guitar sound and experimental approach was a huge influence on Cream, The Jeff Beck Group, and Led Zeppelin. When the band broke up, Page reformed as The New Yardbirds before Led Zeppelin came together.
  • Keith Relf was 33 years old when he was electrocuted in 1976. His electric guitar was not properly grounded, and he died while playing it in his home studio.
  • They opened for The Beatles in 1964.
  • The Yardbirds popularized the "Rave-up," which is an unstructured jam session where the musicians don't solo, but play in tandem, often for up to 30 minutes, before climaxing and returning to the song.
  • In 1963 they became the house band at the Crawdaddy Club in London, replacing The Rolling Stones.
  • Chris Dreja and Jim McCarty put together a new version of the band in 2003 and released the album Birdland. >>
    Suggestion credit:
    Bertrand - Paris, France, for all above

Comments: 1

  • M. Turboffy from Alma Co.Sad event. Just lost one of the top 10 Rock guitarist, Jeff Beck. Rest in peace axe master...
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Oliver Leiber

Oliver LeiberSongwriter Interviews

Oliver Leiber talks about writing and producing hits for Paula Abdul, and explains his complicated relationship with his father, the songwriter Jerry Leiber.

Ian Gillan of Deep Purple

Ian Gillan of Deep PurpleSongwriter Interviews

Deep Purple frontman Ian Gillan explains the "few red lights" in "Smoke On The Water" and talks about songs from their 2020 album Whoosh!

Gary Brooker of Procol Harum

Gary Brooker of Procol HarumSongwriter Interviews

The lead singer and pianist for Procol Harum, Gary talks about finding the musical ideas to match the words.

Glen Ballard

Glen BallardSongwriter Interviews

Glen Ballard talks about co-writing and producing Alanis Morissette's Jagged Little Pill album, and his work with Dave Matthews, Aerosmith and Annie Lennox.

Part of Their World: The Stories and Songs of 13 Disney Princesses

Part of Their World: The Stories and Songs of 13 Disney PrincessesSong Writing

From "Some Day My Prince Will Come" to "Let It Go" - how Disney princess songs (and the women who sing them) have evolved.

Lip-Synch Rebels

Lip-Synch RebelsSong Writing

What happens when Kurt Cobain, Iron Maiden and Johnny Lydon are told to lip-synch? Some hilarious "performances."