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| 1966. From left: Jeff Beck, Jimmy Page, Chris Dreja, Keith Relf, and Jim McCarty |
Chris Dreja, one of the five original members of the Yardbirds, has died. The guitarist was 79.
Muriel Levy, on Threads. "With deep sadness, I announce that my brother-in-law Chris Dreja, former Yardbirds rhythm guitarist and bassist, has passed away after years of health struggles," she shared, noting the support of her sister Kate and Dreja’s daughter Jackie.
Born in Surrey, England, in 1945, Dreja met guitarist Top Topham through his brother and debuted live at a Duster Bennett show, alongside future Yardbird Jimmy Page.
In 1963, Dreja and Topham formed the Metropolitan Blues Quartet with Keith Relf, Jim McCarty, and Paul Samwell-Smith, soon renaming themselves the Yardbirds.
After Topham’s departure, Eric Clapton joined, and the band gained fame for their dynamic live performances.
The Yardbirds scored Top 10 hits like "For Your Love" and "Heart Full of Soul," and released the influential Five Live Yardbirds.
Clapton left in 1965, replaced by Jeff Beck, and the band recorded their 1966 album, Roger the Engineer, featuring Dreja’s cover art and songwriting contributions. When Samwell-Smith exited, Dreja switched to bass, and Page joined. Beck soon left as well.
The Yardbirds disbanded in 1968. Dreja declined to join Jimmy Page’s New Yardbirds, later Led Zeppelin, opting for photography; he notably shot the back cover for Led Zeppelin’s debut album. In 1983, Dreja joined Box of Frogs with former Yardbirds members, releasing two albums before splitting in 1986.
The Yardbirds reformed in 1992, with Dreja playing until 2013, when strokes forced his retirement; Topham replaced him. Dreja’s health declined further before his death.