The Yardbirds was a British rock band from the 1960s. The band is best known because three of the most famous guitarists, Eric Clapton, Jeff Beck and Jimmy Page, the Yardbirds began their career with. The band had during the 1960s many hits, including I'm a Man and For Your Love .
In 1962-63 the band began in the suburbs of London under the name "the metropolis Blues Quartet". In 1963 the name was changed to "the Yardbirds". They got plenty of the attention of the British rhythm and blues-scene when she had the Rolling Stones as the official house band of London's Crawdaddy Club.
In the beginning, the lineup from Keith Relf (vocals and harmonica), Ian Chris (rhythm guitar), Paul Samwell-Smith (bass), Jim McCarty (drums) and Anthony "Top" Topham(lead guitar). Top was soon replaced by the then unknown Eric Clapton.
Under the guidance of Giorgio GomelskyCrawdaddys impresario, who took over the role of manager and producer, they got a contract in 1964 at EMI's Columbialabel. The band was to hear for the first time on record as backing band of the blues legend Sonny Boy Williamson, with whom she toured through Europe. In 1964 came the debut album,Five Live Yardbirds, a live album.
The band also wanted to conquer the popmarkt and released a number of singles. The first singles were old blues-covers, but they got their first big success with For Your Love", a song written by Graham Gouldman( 10CClater). The single was the first major success for the band in their own country and the big break abroad. Even though the single was a great success and an innovative piece, he fell not popular with Clapton, who at the time was a pure bluesman. He left the band in early 1965 and left for John Mayall's Bluesbreakers. Clapton recommended Jimmy Page as a substitute, which drove off the offer and in turn recommendedJeff Beck .
Beck felt more at home in the experimental pop music than Clapton. Under the influence of Beck went the style direction the psychedelic rock. It is said that the Yardbirds at the time the door opened for thepsychedelic rock. The first hits with Beck were Heart Full of Soul and Evil-Hearted You, both written by Gouldman.
In 1966 , the Group took a new manager Simon Napier-Bell. Along with Samwell-Smith he wrote their hit Over Under Sideways Down and he produced their first album the Yardbirds, also known as Roger the Engineer. On this album they mixed the blues with European folk and Gregorian vocals, Oriental influences and the famous "raveups". That, combined with Jeff Beck's distinctive guitar playing, the band released in great prestige at a more alternative public. Early 1966 was I'm a Man, Bo Diddley's classic song, a worldwide hit.
After the release of Roger the Engineer Samwell-Smith decided to stop with the bass guitar and the production to take control. Jimmy Page joined the band and took the bass temporarily, which soon after was acquired by Komala. Page and Beck played guitar together for a short time, until Beck in 1966 from the group went and started his own band. There was one single from which both were topgitaristen, Happenings Ten Years Time Ago, a psychedelic masterpiece. John Paul Jones played the bass guitar. The band was also featured in the movie Blowup, classic of Michelangelo Antonioni. They left in this Stroll On hear, an adaptation of their own The Train Kept A-Rollin'.
Shortly after the departure of their manager Simon Napier-Bell also Beck stepped on. He was replaced by Peter Grant, later also the manager of Led Zeppelin.
The experimentation of the band, and especially by Page, was high. An acoustic number as White Summer turned out to be a preview of later acoustic work of Jimmy Page with Led Zeppelin.
Despite (or because of) the innovative sound of the band was the success and popularity waning. EMI put even Mickie Most in hitproducer, a man who had success with pop acts as Herman's Hermits and Lulu.Singles, including a cover of Manfred Mann's Ha Ha Said the Clown, did little to nothing on the charts. In July 1968 the band split up. Page to create a new Yardbirds, which first tried "The New Yardbirds" would be welcome, but later resulted in Led Zeppelin.
Samwell-Smith was the fixed producer of Cat Stevens, and helped Relf and McCarty wanted to create the folk group when this Renaissance . Founded in the late 1970s Relf "Armageddon" on, a mixture of hard rock and folk. There was one album before Relf died by electrocutionin 1976 , while he played on his guitar. In the 1980s the remaining members performed on in a sort of reunion band called "Box of Frogs". Also Jeff Beck and Jimmy Page were sometimes part of this band.
In 1992 the Yardbirds were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. All living members, including Beck, Page and Clapton, came to the ceremony.
Ian In 2003 brought a new album under the Yardbirds and McCarty, Birdland, and they toured across America. On one track was to hear Jeff Beck.
Line up[Edit][]
[1][2]The Yardbirds in 2006. From left to right: John Idan, Jim McCarty, Chris Korko.*1962-1963
- Keith Relf (vocals and harmonica)
- Anthony "Top" Topham (lead guitar)
- Ian Chris (rhythm guitar)
- Paul Samwell-Smith (bass guitar)
- Jim McCarty (drums)
- 1963-1965, the Clapton-era
- Keith Relf (vocals and harmonica)
- Eric Clapton (lead guitar)
- Ian (rhythm guitar) Chris
- Paul Samwell-Smith (bass guitar)
- Jim McCarty (drums)
- 1965-1966, the Beck-era
- Keith Relf (vocals)
- Jeff Beck (lead guitar)
- Ian (rhythm guitar) Chris
- Paul Samwell-Smith (bass guitar)
- Jim McCarty (drums)
- 1966, the Beck/Page-era
- Keith Relf (vocals)
- Jeff Beck (lead guitar)
- Jimmy Page (lead guitar)
- Ian Chris (bass guitar)
- Jim McCarty (drums)
- 1966-1968, the Page-era
- Keith Relf (vocals)
- Jimmy Page (lead guitar)
- Ian Chris (bass guitar)
- Jim McCarty (drums)
- 2003
- John Idan (vocals, bass)
- Gypie Mayo (lead guitar)
- Ian (rhythm guitar) Chris
- Alan Glen (harmonica)
- Jim McCarty (drums)
- 2004 - 2009
- Ben King (lead guitar)
- Ian (rhythm guitar) Chris
- John Idan (vocals, bass)
- Billy Boy Miskimmin (harmonica and percussion)
- Jim McCarty (drums)
- occupancy starting from 2009
- Ben King (lead guitar)
- Ian (rhythm guitar) Chris
- Andy Mitchell (Vocals, harmonica)
- David Smale (bass guitar)
- Jim McCarty (drums)
Discography[Edit][]
- Five Live Yardbirds (1964)
- Having a Rave Up (1965)
- Roger the Engineer (1966)
- Over Under Sideways Down (1966)
- Little Games (1967)
- Birdland (2003)
- Live At B.B. King Blues Club (2007)
Radio 2 Top 2000[Edit][]
| Number (s) with markings
in the Radio 2 Top 2000 |
' 99 | ' 00 | ' 01 | ' 02 | ' 03 | ' 04 | ' 05 | ' 06 | ' 07 | ' 08 | ' 09 | ' 10 | ' 11 | ' 12 | ' 13 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| For your love | - | 855 | 830 | 946 | 1264 | 1354 | 1617 | 1761 | 1460 | 1450 | 1487 | 1735 | 1846 | - | - |