Photo: Christopher Furlong / Getty Images News / Getty Images
Chris Dreja, a founding member of The Yardbirds, has passed away at the age of 79, just weeks before his 80th birthday on November 11th. Known for his work as both a rhythm guitarist and bassist, Dreja helped to really shape the sound of one of the most influential bands of the 1960s. His sister-in-law, Muriel Levy, shared the news his passing, saying that Dreja had battled health issues for years, including several strokes between 2012 and 2013 that ultimately led to his retirement from performing.
After The Yardbirds disbanded in 1968, Dreja was invited by guitarist Jimmy Page to join a new group that would eventually become Led Zeppelin—but he turned down the offer to pursue a career in photography. Ironically, Dreja still played a role in Led Zeppelin’s legacy by photographing the band for the back cover of their debut album. He later reunited with original Yardbirds members Paul Samwell-Smith and Jim McCarty in the 1980s supergroup Box of Frogs and was honored alongside his bandmates when The Yardbirds were inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1992.
Dreja is the third original Yardbird to leave us, following singer Keith Relf in 1976 and guitarist Anthony "Top" Topham in 2023. Guitar legend Jeff Beck passed in 2023. That leaves Jim McCarty, Paul Samwell-Smith, and Eric Clapton as the remaining members from the original lineup. Dreja leaves behind his wife Kate and daughter Jackie.
[Source: Premiere]