Chris Dreja, ‘Other’ Guitarist in the Yardbirds, Dies

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

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Greg Brodsky

Best Classic Bands Founder/CEO Greg Brodsky earned his first professional bylines as a reporter for the music trade weekly Record World. He still has all his vinyl albums and enjoys going to flea markets and garage sales to grow his collection.

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