Yardbirds co-founder Chris Dreja has died aged 79.
Chris Dreja has handed away after ‘years of well being issues’
The musician-turned-photographer had retired from music after struggling a sequence of strokes again in 2012 and 2013, and handed away in September after “years of well being issues,” his sister-in-law, Muriel Levy, confirmed.
She posted to Threads: “It’s with a deep disappointment that I’ve to announce that my brother-in-law Chris Dreja, former member of legendary band The Yardbirds, rhythm guitarist and likewise bass participant has handed away after years of well being issues…
“I share the ache with my sister Kate who took care of him throughout all these years and his daughter Jackie… Could he RIP.”
Chris’ former Yardbirds bandmate Jimmy Web page was amongst these to pay tribute to the Rock and Roll Corridor of Famer.
He captioned a throwback image of him and Chris: “I heard immediately of the passing of musician Chris Dreja, who passionately performed with the long-lasting Yardbirds, on rhythm guitar after which the bass.
“I hadn’t seen him shortly, and I want I had. RIP Chris.
“Right here’s Glimpses by The Yardbirds that includes Chris Dreja on bass.”
Jimmy, 81, famously provided Chris the place of bassist in Led Zeppelin, which he turned down.
As a founding member of The Yardbirds, Chris helped launch the careers of three guitar gods — Eric Clapton, Jeff Beck, and Jimmy Web page — whereas anchoring the band’s rhythm part with understated precision. Beginning out on rhythm guitar earlier than switching to bass, Chris’ enjoying was the glue behind hits like Over Below Sideways Down and Shapes of Issues.
After The Yardbirds disbanded in 1968, Chris turned down a suggestion to affix Web page’s new mission — which might develop into Led Zeppelin — and pivoted to images, capturing the again cowl of Zeppelin’s debut album and the likes of Bob Dylan and Tina Turner. He later reunited with drummer Jim McCarty to revive The Yardbirds within the ’90s, touring and recording with a rotating solid of musicians till stepping again in 2013 resulting from well being points.
