The Yardbirds 1966 (l. to r.): Jeff Beck, Jim McCarty, Chris Dreja, Jimmy Page, Keith Relf
Chris Dreja, best known as the rhythm guitarist and bassist for the seminal British band the Yardbirds, has died. His death in late September 2025, just weeks before his 80th birthday, was first revealed today (Oct. 2) in various social media reports, and comes after a long illness.
The Yardbirds, whose music was steeped in the blues, featured an evolving lineup that included three of classic rock’s most acclaimed guitarists: Eric Clapton, Jeff Beck and Jimmy Page (the three never played in the band simultaneously, although Beck and Page, the latter on bass, did for a short time). Dreja was a founding member of the band, joining such other members as vocalist/harmonica player Keith Relf, drummer Jim McCarty and bassist Paul Samwell-Smith. (Another guitarist, Anthony “Top” Topham, was a co-founder as well, but left early on.)
Dreja, who switched to bass when Samwell-Smith departed in 1966, performed on such hits as “For Your Love” and “Heart Full of Soul.” He was one of the band’s members chosen for induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1992.
Dreja, born and raised in Surrey, England, on Nov. 11, 1945, was also a skilled artist and photographer. When Page left the Yardbirds, he offered his former bandmate the opportunity to join his new group. Dreja ultimately turned down the opportunity but his photo of Led Zeppelin appears on the back cover of the band’s 1969 debut album.
His playful design was the cover art for the Yardbirds’ 1966 self-titled album, later referred to as Roger the Engineer.
Roger the Engineer cover art
Dreja is also listed as co-writer with his bandmates of many of their songs. The band’s albums were overshadowed in the U.K. by a series of hit singles, most notably with a pair of Graham Gouldman compositions, “For Your Love” and “Heart Full of Soul,” in 1965. Both reached the top five there and the top 10 in the U.S. “For Your Love” was released in the U.K. that February and sold a million copies, catapulting the band to prominence.
By 1968, the Yardbirds were essentially over, though there were numerous reunions and offshoots, including the band Box of Frogs in the ’80s, led by Dreja, Samwell-Smith and McCarty.
Dreja suffered a series of strokes in 2012 and 2013.
We’ve organized the Yardbirds’ convoluted release history here. Their albums and collections are available in the U.S. here, in Canada here and in the U.K. here.
Related: Musician and celebrity deaths of 2025
- Elliott Landy’s ‘The Band Photographs: 1968-1969’ Two-Volume Book Coming - 10/23/2025
- The Number One Singles of 1967: With Love - 10/21/2025
- The Moody Blues’ John Lodge: 2018 Live Review - 10/12/2025
2 Comments so far
Jump into a conversationWell this unparalleled revisiting of the most consequential Rock N Roll performers Players etc is World Class…. Happy comment….. —->> Me went to most of the shows at the Fillmore West, Winterland and club venues starting from 1965 ….. First shows that year were 1)The Doors Mt. Rushmore, Procul Harum….. 2)Blue Cheer Cream at the Old Fillmore and so many more $3.00 tickets sit on the floor yellow papers and pass the Red mountain to the left or right… small handbills given to all on the way out the door ….. I had very close friendships with many famous and unknown characters … still playing…. Thanks for your time and effort in doing this needed historical telling
Dreja co-wrote the 2 best songs for the Yardbirds.Songs & groups of that era were the best there was, being I’m from a private fine arts/entertainment school for 7 years in Hollywood, where artists, entertainers, & mainly musicians went there. School was nursery thru college in 1 bldg. in Hollywood, so I was exposed to all who were famous grandparents from the ‘30’s when Hollywood Professional opened, & parents of famous people to meet. Myself, I was an amateur concert pianist for 8 years, entertaining @ the Sportsman’s Lodge in the Valley. I learned a lot from the musicians, even though I was classical. There were quite a few who made it to the top, mostly actors.
In that time period, I was well into the ‘60’s with the Beatles, the psychedelic era, & further.
The Yardbirds were a hot group & yes, Dreja surely made some great music!