Legendary Yardbirds guitarist Chris Dreja passes away at 79

Dreja began his career with The Yardbirds as a rhythm guitarist. However, when Jimmy Page joined the band in 1966, Dreja switched to bass guitar, allowing the group to take advantage of Page’s virtuosic guitar talents. This lineup became the platform for some of the band’s most creative work and set the stage for Page’s subsequent formation of Led Zeppelin, a band that would go on to redefine rock music.

Despite the opportunity to join Led Zeppelin, Dreja chose a different path. Rather than continuing as a touring musician, he turned his attention to photography, a passion he had long nurtured. His work behind the camera captured many iconic moments of rock history, including the back cover photo of Led Zeppelin’s debut album — a testament to his artistic vision beyond the stage.

Reflecting on the tumultuous final years of The Yardbirds, Dreja once said, “I was pretty whacked out, along with the other original Yardbirds, when we were demising in ’68. Jimmy was still pretty fresh, but for us it had become a nightmare.” This candid admission highlights the pressures and challenges faced by bands navigating fame, creative differences, and the fast-changing music industry of the late 1960s. Dreja expressed relief at focusing on photography and design, finding fulfillment in creative outlets away from the often “crazy” lifestyle of rock musicians. Continue reading…