US EditionPublished • loading... • Updated
Jimmy Page Leads Tributes to Yardbirds Co-Founder and Guitarist Chris Dreja
Chris Dreja co-founded the Yardbirds and was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1992; he retired after strokes in 2012 and died following a long illness.
- On October 2, 2025, Chris Dreja, a musician and photographer, was confirmed to have died after a long illness in late September 2025, aged 80.
- Chris Dreja helped found the Yardbirds in London in 1963, started as rhythm guitarist, switched to bass in 1966, co-wrote many songs, and was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1992.
- The Yardbirds' lineup included Eric Clapton, Jeff Beck and Jimmy Page, with hits like `For Your Love` and `Shapes of Things`; the Rock Hall credited their feedback innovations influencing psychedelic and punk.
- Dreja's death leaves Jim McCarty, drummer and Paul Samwell‑Smith, bassist as the sole surviving original Yardbirds, with McCarty still performing under the band's name, David Stark said.
- After leaving active touring Dreja declined Jimmy Page's invitation to join Led Zeppelin, pursued photography of Bob Dylan and Andy Warhol, co-founded Box of Frogs, but retired after strokes in 2012–2013.
Insights by Ground AI
31 Articles
31 Articles
Musician Chris Dreja, an original member of The Yardbirds, has died. He is being mourned by guitar legend Jimmy Page, among others.
·Stockholm, Sweden
Read Full Article
Coverage Details
Total News Sources31
Leaning Left5Leaning Right2Center5Last UpdatedBias Distribution42% Left, 42% Center
Bias Distribution
- 42% of the sources lean Left, 42% of the sources are Center
42% Center
L 42%
C 42%
R 16%
Factuality
To view factuality data please Upgrade to Premium
