History Music / TheYardbirds

* Ben King - guitae (2005-Present)

The original line-up consisted of Anthony "Top" Topham, Paul Samwell-Smith, Chris Dreja, [=Jim McCarty=] and Keith Relf. Topham had to leave due to studies, and was replaced by Eric Clapton. Clapton eventually left to join John Mayall and the Bluesbreakers shortly before the completion of the group's first studio album, which he felt was too much of a departure from their blues roots, and was replaced by Jeff Beck, who led the group in a distinctly [[PsychedelicRock psychedelic]] direction. For a very brief period, Jimmy Page joined the band and played co-lead guitars with Beck. While there are few recordings of the two playing together, this configuration turned out to be highly influential.

[[quoteright:314:http://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/Yardbirds_7427.jpg]]
[[caption-width-right:314:The Yardbirds in 1966. Left to right: Jim [=McCarty=], Paul Samwell-Smith, Jeff Beck, Keith Relf, Chris Dreja.]]

The original line-up was Anthony "Top" Topham, Paul Samwell-Smith, Chris Dreja, [=Jim McCarty=] and Keith Relf. Topham had to leave due to studies, and was replaced by Eric Clapton. He eventually left to join John Mayall and the Bluesbreakers shortly before the completion of the group's first studio album, which he felt was too much of a departure from their blues roots, and was replaced by Jeff Beck, who led the group in a distinctly [[PsychedelicRock psychedelic]] direction. For a very brief period, Jimmy Page joined the band and played co-lead guitars with Beck. While there are few recordings of the two playing together, this configuration turned out to be highly influential.

Keith Relf died from accidental electrocution in 1976. In TheNineties, Chris Dreja and Jim [=McCarty=] reformed the Yardbirds with several new musicians. (Indeed, Dreja and [=McCarty=] have been [[RevolvingDoorBand the only stable members]] of ''any'' version of the group, bar The New Yardbirds.) So far, this edition of the band has released one studio album and several live albums.

Keith Relf died from accidental electrocution in 1976. In TheNineties, Chris Dreja and Jim [=McCarty=] reformed the Yardbirds with several new musicians. (Indeed, Dreja and [=McCarty=] have been [[RevolvingDoorBand the only stable members]] of ''any'' version of the group, bar The New Yardbirds.) So far, this edition of the band has released one studio album and one live album.

!!Discography:
* ''Five Live Yardbirds'' (1964) - their debut album, mainly composed of covers of blues and rockabilly tracks, played somewhat harder and faster. Later reissued with five non-album singles and more live songs as bonus tracks.
* ''For Your Love'' (1965) - a slapdash album compiling US-only tracks and previously released singles, meant to prepare for their first US tour. The reissue is made up mostly of demos and alternate takes. This album captures the Yardbirds in a transitional phase, containing both Clapton-led blues and soul-influenced tunes, as well as the "experimental pop" and hard-edged rock Beck was pushing the band towards.
* ''Having a Rave Up'' (1965) - another slapdash for the American market made up of US-only tracks, previously released singles, and the entire second half is made up of songs from ''Five Live Yardbirds''. The reissue adds the non-album single "Shapes of Things" and its B-side, more demos, and "Stroll On", a song for the ''Blow-Up'' soundtrack. The studio tracks show the band continuing to evolve in a edgy, PsychedelicRock direction, and increasingly using Eastern elements ("Still I'm Sad", "Heart Full of Soul").
* ''Roger the Engineer'' (1966) - originally known as ''Yardbirds'' in the UK and ''Over Under Sideways Down'' in the USA, Germany and France. Their first album made up of entirely original material (rush-recorded in a week under looming deadlines), and perhaps not coincidentally their most psychedelic and experimental (but still having the mandatory blues workouts). The reissue includes the "Happenings Ten Years Time Ago"/"Psycho Daisies" single, two of the few songs recorded with both Beck and Page.
* ''Little Games'' (1967) - The original band's last album. After ''Roger'' stiffed on the charts, the record company made the band work with producer Mickie Most, who forced them to record some very OutOfCharacter pop songs in a desperate attempt to return the band to success. Led by a cover of "Ten Little Indians" that Jimmy Page violently hated, the album quite predictably also crashed and burned, although it has its defenders. The reissue adds a few outtakes and non-album singles. Page frequently performed "White Summer" with Music/LedZeppelin, sometimes as a medley with "Black Mountain Side".
* ''Live Yardbirds Featuring Jimmy Page'' (1971) - Released after Music/LedZeppelin became popular. Sued out of existence, and therefore a sought after rarity.
* ''BBC Sessions'' (1997)
* ''Birdland'' (2003) - The studio album by Dreja and [=McCarty=]'s reformed Yardbirds.
* ''Live at B.B. King Blues Club'' (2007) - The live album by the reformed band.

Keith Relf died from accidental electrocution in 1976. In TheNineties, Chris Dreja and Jim [=McCarty=] reformed the Yardbirds with several new musicians. (Indeed, Dreja and [=McCarty=] have been [[RevolvingDoorBand the only stable members]] of ''any'' version of the group.) So far, this edition of the band has released one studio album and one live album.

The original line-up was Anthony "Top" Topham, Paul Samwell-Smith, Chris Dreja, [=Jim McCarty=] and Keith Relf. Topham had to leave due to studies, and was replaced by Eric Clapton. He eventually left to join John Mayall and the Bluesbreakers shortly before the completion of the group's second album, which he felt was too much of a departure from their blues roots, and was replaced by Jeff Beck, who led the group in a distinctly [[PsychedelicRock psychedelic]] direction. For a very brief period, Jimmy Page joined the band and played co-lead guitars with Beck. While there are few recordings of the two playing together, this configuration turned out to be highly influential.

Their discography is as follows:
* ''Five Live Yardbirds'' (1964) - their debut album, mainly composed of covers of blues and rockabilly tracks, played somewhat harder and faster. Later reissued with five non-album singles and more live songs as bonus tracks.
* ''For Your Love'' (1965) - a slapdash album compiling US-only tracks and previously released singles, meant to prepare for their first US tour. The reissue is made up mostly of demos and alternate takes. This album captures the Yardbirds in a transitional phase, containing both Clapton-led blues and soul-influenced tunes, as well as the "experimental pop" and hard-edged rock Beck was pushing the band towards.
* ''Having a Rave Up'' (1965) - another slapdash for the American market made up of US-only tracks, previously released singles, and the entire second half is made up of songs from ''Five Live Yardbirds''. The reissue adds the non-album single "Shapes of Things" and its B-side, more demos, and "Stroll On", a song for the ''Blow-Up'' soundtrack. The studio tracks show the band continuing to evolve in a edgy, PsychedelicRock direction, and increasingly using Eastern elements ("Still I'm Sad", "Heart Full of Soul").
* ''Roger the Engineer'' (1966) - originally known as ''Yardbirds'' in the UK and ''Over Under Sideways Down'' in the USA, Germany and France. Their first album made up of entirely original material (rush-recorded in a week under looming deadlines), and perhaps not coincidentally their most psychedelic and experimental (but still having the mandatory blues workouts). The reissue includes the "Happenings Ten Years Time Ago"/"Psycho Daisies" single, two of the few songs recorded with both Beck and Page.
* ''Little Games'' (1967) - The original band's last album. After ''Roger'' stiffed on the charts, the record company made the band work with producer Mickie Most, who forced them to record some very OutOfCharacter pop songs in a desperate attempt to return the band to success. Led by a cover of "Ten Little Indians" that Jimmy Page violently hated, the album quite predictably also crashed and burned, although it has its defenders. The reissue adds a few outtakes and non-album singles. Page frequently performed "White Summer" with Music/LedZeppelin, sometimes as a medley with "Black Mountain Side".
* ''Live Yardbirds Featuring Jimmy Page'' (1971) - Released after Music/LedZeppelin became popular. Sued out of existence, and therefore a sought after rarity.
* ''BBC Sessions'' (1997)
* ''Birdland'' (2003) - The studio album by Dreja and [=McCarty=]'s reformed Yardbirds.
* ''Live at B.B. King Blues Club'' (2007) - The live album by the reformed band.

The original line-up was Clapton (lead guitar, backing vocal), Paul Samwell-Smith (bass guitar, backing vocal), Chris Dreja (rhythm guitar, bass guitar after Samwell-Smith departed), [=Jim McCarty=] (drums) and Keith Relf (lead vocal, harmonica). Clapton left to join John Mayall and the Bluesbreakers shortly before the completion of the group's second album, which he felt was too much of a departure from their blues roots, and was replaced by Jeff Beck, who led the group in a distinctly [[PsychedelicRock psychedelic]] direction. For a very brief period, Jimmy Page joined the band and played co-lead guitars with Beck. While there are few recordings of the two playing together, this configuration turned out to be highly influential.

Finally, Jeff Beck left and Jimmy Page effectively took over as the leader of the group, which promptly split up. Undaunted, Page decided to organize The New Yardbirds, putting a whole new group together to fulfill an obligation to play at several European tour dates. Page and company decided to record an album after the completion of the tour. Chris Dreja issued a cease and desist order that stated Page could only use the name for those tour dates. Inspired by a snarky comment from [[Music/TheWho Keith Moon]] (that the band would go over like a lead balloon), the group changed their name to Music/LedZeppelin.

In TheNineties, Chris Dreja and Jim [=McCarty=] reformed the Yardbirds with several new musicians. (Indeed, Dreja and [=McCarty=] have been [[RevolvingDoorBand the only stable members]] of ''any'' version of the group.) So far, this edition of the band has released one studio album and one live album.

* AuthorExistenceFailure: Keith Relf left the world after elctrocuting himself in his bath.

[[caption-width-right:314:The Yardbirds in 1966. Left to right: Jim [=McCarty=], Jimmy Page, Jeff Beck, Keith Relf, Chris Dreja.]]

* ''Little Games'' (1967) - Their last album. After ''Roger'' stiffed on the charts, the record company made the band work with producer Mickie Most, who forced them to record some very OutOfCharacter pop songs in a desperate attempt to return the band to success. Led by a cover of "Ten Little Indians" that Jimmy Page violently hated, the album quite predictably also crashed and burned, although it has its defenders. The reissue adds a few outtakes and non-album singles. Page frequently performed "White Summer" with Music/LedZeppelin, sometimes as a medley with "Black Mountain Side".

A [[TheBritishInvasion British Invasion]] band active in the 1960s British blues scene alongside Music/TheAnimals, Music/TheSmallFaces and Music/TheRollingStones. The Yardbirds are best known for their hard-edged BluesRock sound, which influenced future HardRock and early Music/HeavyMetal performers and for serving as the starting point for several guitar players who became famous in their own right; EricClapton, JeffBeck and [[Music/LedZeppelin Jimmy Page]].

The original line-up was Clapton (lead guitar, backing vocal), Paul Samwell-Smith (bass guitar, backing vocal), Chris Dreja (rhythm guitar, bass guitar after Samwell-Smith departed), [=Jim McCarty=] (drums) and Keith Relf (lead vocal, harmonica). Clapton left to join John Mayall and the Bluesbreakers shortly before the completion of the group's second album, which he felt was too much of a departure from their blues roots, and was replaced by Jeff Beck, who lead the group in a distinctly [[PsychedelicRock psychedelic]] direction. For a very brief period, Jimmy Page joined the band and played co-lead guitars with Beck. While there are few recordings of the two playing together, this configuration turned out to be highly influential.

* ''Little Games'' (1967) - Their last album. After ''Roger'' stiffed on the charts, the record company made the band work with producer Mickie Most, who forced them to record some very OutOfCharacter pop songs in a desperate attempt to return the band to success. Led by a cover of "Ten Little Indians" that Jimmy Page violently hated, the album quite predictably also crashed and burned, although [[YourMileageMayVary it has its defenders]]. The reissue adds a few outtakes and non-album singles. Page frequently performed "White Summer" with Music/LedZeppelin, sometimes as a medley with "Black Mountain Side".

* ''Roger the Engineer'' (1966) - known as ''Yardbirds'' in the UK and ''Over Under Sideways Down'' in the USA, Germany and France. Their first album made up of entirely original material (rush-recorded in a week under looming deadlines), and perhaps not coincidentally their most psychedelic and experimental (but still having the mandatory blues workouts). The reissue includes the "Happenings Ten Years Time Ago"/"Psycho Daisies" single, one of the few songs recorded with both Beck and Page.

* ''Roger the Engineer'' (1966) - known as ''Yardbirds'' in the UK and ''Over Under Sideways Down'' in the USA, Germany and France. Their first album made up of entirely original material, and perhaps not coincidentally their most psychedelic and experimental (but still having the mandatory blues workouts). The reissue includes the "Happenings Ten Years Time Ago"/"Psycho Daisies" single, one of the few songs recorded with both Beck and Page.

[[caption-width-right:314:The Yardbirds in 1966. Left to right: Jim [=McCarty=], Jimmy Page, Jeff Beck, Keith Relf, Chris Dreja. (Not pictured: Paul Samwell-Smith.)]]

[[caption-width-right:314:The Yardbirds in 1966. Left to right: Jim [=McCarty=], Jimmy Page, Jeff Beck, Keith Relf, Chris Dreja.]]

Finally, Jeff Beck left and Jimmy Page effectively took over as the leader of the group, which promptly split up. Undaunted, Page decided to organize The New Yardbirds, putting a whole new group together to fulfill an obligation to play at several European tour dates. Page and company decided to record an album after the completion of the tour. Chris Dreja issued a cease and desist order that stated Page could only use the name for those tour dates. Inspired by a snarky comment from [[TheWho Keith Moon]] (that the band would go over like a lead balloon), the group changed their name to Music/LedZeppelin.

* MoodWhiplash: "Ever Since The World Began" starts as a scary, doom-laden monotone chant about the evils of {{greed}}, and then suddenly becomes a light pop song with a call-and-response section... about the evils of greed.

A [[TheBritishInvasion British Invasion]] band active in the 1960s British blues scene alongside Music/TheAnimals, TheSmallFaces and Music/TheRollingStones. The Yardbirds are best known for their hard-edged BluesRock sound, which influenced future HardRock and early Music/HeavyMetal performers and for serving as the starting point for several guitar players who became famous in their own right; EricClapton, JeffBeck and [[Music/LedZeppelin Jimmy Page]].

* AuthorExistenceFailure: Keith Relf died in 1976.

A [[TheBritishInvasion British Invasion]] band active in the 1960s British blues scene alongside Music/TheAnimals, TheSmallFaces and Music/TheRollingStones. The Yardbirds are best known for their hard-edged BluesRock sound, which influenced future HardRock and early HeavyMetal performers and for serving as the starting point for several guitar players who became famous in their own right; EricClapton, JeffBeck and [[Music/LedZeppelin Jimmy Page]].

* AuthorExistenceFailure: Keith Relf died in 1976.

* TheBritishInvasion

* CreativeDifferences: Clapton was a blues purist who felt the band were selling out by releasing the pop single "For Your Love", which prompted his departure from the group.

* FanNickname: ''Roger the Engineer'' was originally a SelfTitledAlbum in England. The [[http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/e/e1/Yardbirds-RogerTheEngineer.jpg cover art]] was Chris Dreja's cartoon portrait of the album's engineer, Roger Cameron, which was titled "Roger the Engineer". As with Music/TheBeatles' ''[[Music/TheWhiteAlbum White Album]]'', fans started referring to the album by its cover design, and the FanNickname eventually became the semi-official album title.
* HitlessHitAlbum: Thanks to UK record industry practices.

* ThePeteBest: Original guitarist Anthony "Top" Topham, who was replaced by Clapton. To his credit, he's never seemed too bothered by it and has said that he'd probably have quit the group eventually and "for the same reasons as Eric".
* PsychedelicRock: They went in this direction to an extent after Jeff Beck joined the group. It's best illustrated on ''Roger the Engineer''.

Finally, Jeff Beck left and Jimmy Page effectively took over as the leader of the group, which promptly split up. Undaunted, Page decided to organize The New Yardbirds, putting a whole new group together to fulfill an obligation to play at several European tour dates. Page and company decided to record an album after the completion of the tour. Chris Dreja issued a cease and desist order that stated Page could only use the name for those tour dates. This group changed their name to Music/LedZeppelin.