Founding Yardbirds Member Chris Dreja Dies at 79; Jimmy Page Pays Tribute

Chris Dreja, founding rhythm guitarist and bassist of the influential 1960s rock band The Yardbirds, has died at the age of 79 after years of health problems. Dreja was a key figure in the band, contributing to its innovative sound that helped shape genres such as psychedelic rock, progressive rock, and punk, and co-writing notable songs like "Over Under Sideways Down" and "Shapes of Things." He declined to join Led Zeppelin when Jimmy Page, his former bandmate, invited him to be the bassist, choosing instead a career in photography, including shooting the back cover for Led Zeppelin's debut album. Dreja reunited with The Yardbirds in 1992 and played with them until 2013 when health issues forced him to retire. Tributes have poured in from prominent musicians and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, which inducted the band in 1992, with Jimmy Page expressing regret that they had not reconnected before Dreja's passing. Dreja's legacy as a creative force behind The Yardbirds and his contributions to rock music continue to be celebrated by fans and peers alike.