The Yardbirds

Q: How many famous guitarists can one band have? A: Three of the acknowledged masters of the craft, Eric Clapton, Jeff Beck and Jimmy Page, all served their time with The Yardbirds.

This UK R&B group was formed in London in 1963 when Keith Relf and Paul Samwell-Smith joined forces with Chris Dreja , Tony 'Top' Topham (guitar) and Jim McCarty. Within months Topham was replaced by Eric Clapton and the group quickly amassed a following in the fledgling blues circuit. Two enthusiastic singles, I Wish You Would and Good Morning Little Schoolgirl, attracted critical interest, but the quintet's fortunes flourished with the release of Five Live Yardbirds (recorded live at the Marquee Club).

The commercial nature of their magnificent third single For Your Love proved unacceptable to Eric Clapton (despite its innovative sound) and led to his departure in 1965. As the single climbed to number 1, Jeff Beck joined The Yardbirds. Further hits were achieved with Heartful Of Soul and Evil Hearted You. Other stand-out releases included Shapes Of Things, the chaotic Over Under Sideways Down and the excellent Yardbirds.

Disaffection with touring led to the departure of bassist Samwell-Smith in June 1966. Respected session guitarist Jimmy Page was brought into a line-up that, with Dreja switching to bass, now adopted a potentially devastating twin-lead guitar format.

The experimental Happenings Ten Years Time Ago confirmed such hopes, but within six months Beck had departed during a gruelling USA tour. The Yardbirds remained a quartet but, despite a growing reputation on the American underground circuit, their appeal as a pop attraction waned. When Relf and McCarty announced a desire to pursue a folk-based direction, the group folded in June 1968.

Page subsequently founded Led Zeppelin while Dreja became a highly successful photographer. The legacy of The Yardbirds has refused to die, particularly in the wake of the fame enjoyed by its former guitarists.

The Yardbirds have maintained great credibility as true pioneers of British R&B, classic experimental pop and early exponents of heavy rock. Keith Relf was fatally electrocuted in 1976.