THE YARDBIRDS

1963 - 1968

Keith Relf and Samwell-Smith were originally in a band named the Metropolitan Blues Quartet.

In late May 1963, they decided to change the name, and after a couple of gigs in September 1963 as the Blue-Sounds they settled on The Yardbirds.

Original lead guitarist (Anthony) Top Topham left and was replaced by Eric Clapton in October 1963.

Yardbirds signed to EMI's Columbia label in February 1964. Their first album was "live", Five Live Yardbirds.

It sold over one million copies, and was awarded a gold disc. Clapton, at the time a blues

purist, left the group in protest to join John Mayall & the Bluesbreakers. Clapton recommended Jimmy Page, a prominent young studio session guitarist, as his replacement.

Page, uncertain about giving up his lucrative studio work and worried about his health, recommended in turn his friend Jeff Beck. He played his first gig with the Yardbirds only two days after Clapton's departure, in May 1965.

Jimmy Page

Jeff Beck

The Beck-era Yardbirds produced a number of memorable recordings, single hits

In June 1966, Samwell-Smith decided to leave the group and work as a record producer. Jimmy Page agreed to play bass until rhythm guitarist Dreja had rehearsed on that instrument. There was the Beck-Page tandem.

Beck was fired from the group after a tour stop in Texas in late October 1966; as such, the Yardbirds continued as a quartet for the remainder of their career.

Page became the new lead guitarist.

Jimmy Page left the band in 1968 to form Led Zeppelin.

On 7 July 1968, the Yardbirds played their final gig.

THE END

ROBERT FORTUNY CORTADA4T ESO B

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