Jimmy Web page has led tributes to Yardbirds co-founder and guitarist Chris Dreja, who has died aged 79.
Tributes have poured out for the musician, photographer and Rock and Roll Corridor of Fame member, who was a core member of the seminal British blues-rock band and formed the sound of a few of their largest hits, together with ‘For Your Love’ and ‘Shapes of Issues’.
Information of his passing was confirmed this night (October 2) by his sister-in-law, Muriel Levy, who shared on 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 in addition 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.”
The Rock Corridor – who inducted Dreja and his bandmates in 1992 – paid homage to the band’s “improvements in suggestions and distortion” and credited them for informing a slew of burgeoning genres like psychedelic rock, progressive rock, and punk of their short-lived however extremely influential tenure.
In Memoriam (1/3): Brief-lived however extremely influential, 1992 Inductees, the Yardbirds’ improvements in suggestions and distortion formed such various genres as psychedelic rock, progressive rock, and punk. Founding member Chris Dreja was initially the band’s rhythm guitarist… pic.twitter.com/dQvf1Z41Cd
— Rock & Roll Corridor of Fame (@rockhall) October 2, 2025
In addition they famous that Dreja co-wrote all their materials as soon as he joined within the early ’60s, together with the seminal hit ‘Over Underneath Sideways Down’ on their self-titled 1966 album and a number of other tracks on 1967’s ‘Little Video games’.
Dreja’s former Yardbirds bandmate Web page additionally paid tribute on Instagram, sharing an image of the 2 of them collectively and writing: “I heard in the present day 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.”
Followers have joined his musical friends in paying tribute on-line. “What a legacy to be part of,” wrote one X/Twitter consumer of his spell with the Yardbirds. “Chris most likely had no thought what doorways have been opened with what was created again then. Chris Dreja, you made your mark on the world.”
You’ll be able to try extra tributes beneath.
02/10/25 Sorry to listen to of the passing of Chris Dreja co-founder, bassist and co-writer of The Yardbirds. Dreja famously turned down a proposal to hitch Led Zeppelin to enter images. RIP to an ignored Rock legend. pic.twitter.com/DSKEvggLj3
— WG Grimshaw – MA BA HND (@grimshaw_garry) October 2, 2025
Very unhappy to listen to that Chris Dreja of the Yardbirds has died aged 79 after an extended sickness. His rhythm guitar and, later, bass taking part in, have been essential to the Yardbirds sound. Thanks Chris. pic.twitter.com/Fd1VswMc4z
— Making Time (@MakingTime60s) October 2, 2025
RIP Chris Dreja. Very nice, underrated and revolutionary bassist. Among the best of his period. His taking part in is likely one of the defining sounds of that period too.https://t.co/RoTn8akazi
— frank zeppo (@NoahPasternak) October 1, 2025
RIP Chris Dreja pic.twitter.com/qvKMgZVCTS
— John Dennison (@JohnJDennison14) October 2, 2025
Dreja (born Christopher Walenty Dreja) grew up in Kingston Upon Thames and was immersed in rock and roll music from his teen years. His brother was a classmate of authentic Yardbirds lead guitarist Anthony “Prime” Topham, who he’d in the end type The Yardbirds with.
In 1963, Dreja and Topham, alongside Jim McCarty, Keith Relf, Paul Samwell-Smith, co-founded the Metropolitan Blues Quartet, a blues band which later developed into The Yardbirds. Dreja began out as their rhythm guitarist however switched to bass in 1966 following Samwell-Smith’s departure and Web page’s arrival. Subsequent years noticed Eric Clapton and Jeff Beck go by means of the band as lead guitarist.
When Topham’s spot was stuffed by Clapton, the band’s fame received a lift on the London membership circuit, and so they went on to take over the Rolling Stones’ residency at London’s legendary Crawdaddy membership.
The yr’s that adopted noticed Clapton go away the band for John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers and Beck’s addition to their line-up. The yr’s that adopted have been their most profitable, spurning tracks like ‘Evil Hearted You’, ‘Nonetheless I’m Unhappy’, ‘Over Underneath Sideways Down’ and their 1966 self-titled album – typically known as “Roger the Engineer,” after the duvet Dreja illustrated.
His creative endeavours additionally noticed him work as as a photographer for a few years, taking pictures the likes of Bob Dylan, Tina Turner, and Led Zeppelin. After the Yardbirds break up, Web page went on to type the latter band and provided Dreja a spot as their bassist, which he wound up declining, as an alternative opting to pursue images.
Dreja went on to co-found Field of Frogs with former bandmates McCarthy and Samwell-Smith within the early Nineteen Eighties.
