Jimmy Page has led tributes to Yardbirds co-founder and guitarist Chris Dreja, who has died aged 79.
Tributes have poured out for the musician, photographer and Rock and Roll Hall of Fame member, who was a core member of the seminal British blues-rock band and shaped the sound of some of their biggest hits, including ‘For Your Love’ and ‘Shapes of Things’.
News of his passing was confirmed this evening (October 2) by his sister-in-law, Muriel Levy, who shared on Threads: “It is with a deep sadness that I have to announce that my brother-in-law Chris Dreja, former member of legendary band The Yardbirds, rhythm guitarist and also bass player has passed away after years of health problems…
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The Rock Hall – who inducted Dreja and his bandmates in 1992 – paid homage to the band’s “innovations in feedback and distortion” and credited them for informing a slew of burgeoning genres like psychedelic rock, progressive rock, and punk in their short-lived but highly influential tenure.
Dreja’s former Yardbirds bandmate Page also paid tribute on Instagram, sharing a picture of the two of them together and writing: “I heard today of the passing of musician Chris Dreja, who passionately played with the iconic Yardbirds, on rhythm guitar and then the bass.
“I hadn’t seen him in a while, and I wish I had. RIP Chris.”
