The Yardbirds
Induction Year: 1992
Induction Category: Performer
In addition to their six Top 40 songs, the Yardbirds will be remembered as having produced the top three English blues-based guitarists of the ‘60s: Eric Clapton, Jeff Beck and Jimmy Page.
Clapton was on board when the group recorded their early bluesy English hits, but he left after recording their first U.S. hit, “For Your Love” (No. 6, 1965), to eventually join John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers.
Replacement Beck was the lead guitarist for “Heart Full of Soul” (No. 9, 1965), “I’m a Man” (No. 17, 1965), “Shapes of Things” (No. 11, 1966) and “Over Under Sideways Down” (No. 13, 1966). Original bassist Paul Samwell-Smith quit in summer 1966, and guitarist Chris Dreja switched to bass, leaving room for Page, who was present for the recording of the group’s last hit, “Happenings 10 Years Time Ago” (No. 30, 1966).
Beck was fired in 1966 for missing shows because of illness. In 1968 drummer Jim McCarty and singer and harmonica player Keith Relf left the band. Page formed the New Yardbirds; that group eventually mutated into Led Zeppelin.
TIMELINE
May 8, 1943: Paul Samwell-Smith was born.
July 25, 1943: Jim McCarty was born.
June 24, 1944: Jeff Beck was born.
November 11, 1944: Chris Dreja was born.
1964: The Animals, Rolling Stones, Yardbirds and other British blues bands achieve success recording American blues; Son House “rediscovered” and performs at the Newport Folk Festival.
1965: Eric Clapton leaves the Yardbirds and joins John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers.
June 5, 1965: The Yardbirds’ “For Your Love” enters the Billboard Hot 100 at Number 84. The song stays on the charts for twelve weeks, peaking at Number Six.
September 23, 1966: The Yardbirds, with lead guitarists Jeff Beck and Jimmy Page, embark upon a British tour with the Rolling Stones and Tina Turner.
July 7, 1968: The Yardbirds break up, guitarist Jimmy Page forms the New Yardbirds and changes the group’s name to Led Zeppelin, allegedly on the advice of the Who’s Keith Moon.
May 14, 1976: Keith Relf of the Yardbirds dies of electrocution in his London home.
1992: The Yardbirds inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
Essential Recordings
Shapes of Things
I’m a Man
Over Under Sideways Down
Heart Full of Soul
Happenings Ten Years Time Ago
Lost Woman
I’m Not Talking
Train Kept A-Rollin’
Think About It
For Your Love
Otis Redding Plane Part, 1967.
Recovered from Madison, WI crash site 12/10/67.
Photo by Design Photography
Collection of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum
