List of the Yardbirds members

Two Yardbirds lineups from 2005 (top) and 2010 (bottom)

The Yardbirds are an English blues rock band from London. Formed in May 1963, the group originally included lead vocalist Keith Relf, lead guitarist Anthony "Top" Topham, rhythm guitarist Chris Dreja, bassist Paul Samwell-Smith, and drummer Jim McCarty.^[1] In October, Topham was replaced by Eric Clapton.^[2] He remained until 13 March 1965, when he left due to creative disagreements.^[3] Clapton recommended Jimmy Page to replace him, but he declined and Jeff Beck took over.^[4] Page later joined on bass the following June, after Samwell-Smith abruptly quit; Dreja later took over the role, allowing Page to join Beck on guitar.^[5] This lineup was short-lived, however, as Beck left in November 1966.^[6] The group continued as a four-piece until July 1968, when Relf and McCarty left due to creative differences, primarily with Page.^[7] Dreja initially remained, but by August, Page formed a new group with vocalist Robert Plant, bassist John Paul Jones and drummer John Bonham, who later renamed themselves Led Zeppelin.^[8]

McCarty and Dreja reformed the Yardbirds in 1992, adding new members "Detroit" John Idan (lead vocals, lead guitar) and Rod Demick (bass, harmonica, backing vocals) from the drummer's eponymous band. Months later Demick left the band, Ray Majors joined on lead guitar, and Idan moved to bass,^[9] Laurie Garman also joined on harmonica. A recording of the Jim McCarty Band featuring Demick and Idan was released under the Yardbirds name as Reunion Jam.^[10]^[9] In 1996, Majors was replaced by Gypie Mayo,^[11] and later Garman was replaced by Alan Glen.^[12] This lineup remained stable for seven years, releasing the band's first new studio album since 1967, Birdland, in 2003.^[13] Shortly after the album's touring cycle, Glen left the Yardbirds and was replaced by Billy Boy Miskimmin.^[14] Mayo also left the band at the end of 2004,^[15] with Jerry Donahue taking his place.^[16]^[17] Donahue remained for a year, before he was replaced by Ben King.^[18]

In 2008, Glen returned to replace Miskimmin, although only remained for a year before leaving again.^[19] Also in 2009, Idan left the Yardbirds after 14 years as the band's frontman. To replace Glen and Idan, the group added Andy Mitchell on lead vocals, acoustic guitar and harmonica, with David Smale joining on bass.^[20] The band's lineup remained stable until early 2012, when Dreja was forced to stop performing after suffering two strokes.^[21]^[22] The following July, it was announced that Dreja would be leaving the band, with original member Top Topham taking his place.^[23] On 30 January 2015, this lineup played its final show at the 100 Club in London.^[24] A few days later, it was announced that McCarty and Topham would return with former lead singer and guitarist Idan, bassist Kenny Aaronson and Myke Scavone on harmonica and percussion.^[25]

Within a month of announcing a new lineup in February 2015, the Yardbirds postponed all tour dates due to "health concerns and extenuating circumstances".^[26] In May, guitarist Earl Slick was added to the band's lineup in place of Topham, and the shows were rescheduled for later in the year.^[27] However, due to "scheduling conflicts" Slick was unable to tour with the group, and on 12 August 2015 Johnny A. was announced as the band's new lead guitarist.^[28] Johnny A. remained until July 2018, when he was replaced by Godfrey Townsend.^[29]

On 10 January 2023 former lead guitarist Jeff Beck died at age 78, followed by original lead guitarist Top Topham on 23 January at age 75.

Members

Current members

Name	Years active	Instruments	Release contributions
Jim McCarty	1963–1968 1992–present	drums percussion backing and occasional lead vocals	all Yardbirds releases
John Idan	1992–2009 2015–present	lead vocals rhythm guitar (2015–present) bass (1995–2009) lead guitar (1992–1995)	Reunion Jam (1999) Birdland (2003) Reunion Jam Vol. II (2006) Live at B.B. King Blues Club
Kenny Aaronson	2015–present	bass	none to date
Myke Scavone	2015–present	harmonica percussion backing vocals
Godfrey Townsend	2018–present	lead guitar backing vocals

Former members

Name	Years active	Instruments	Release contributions
Chris Dreja	1963–1968 1992–2013	rhythm guitar (1963–1966, 1992–2013) bass (1966–1968) backing vocals occasional piano and lead guitar	all Yardbirds releases
Keith Relf	1963–1968 (died 1976)	lead vocals harmonica rhythm guitar (1965–1968)	all Yardbirds releases from Five Live Yardbirds (1964) to London 1963: The First Recordings! (1981) BBC Sessions (1997) Live! Blueswailing July '64 (2003) Yardbirds '68 (2017)
Paul Samwell-Smith	1963–1966	bass backing and occasional lead vocals	all Yardbirds releases from Five Live Yardbirds (1964) to Roger the Engineer (1966) London 1963: The First Recordings! (1981) BBC Sessions (1997) Live! Blueswailing July '64 (2003)
Anthony "Top" Topham	1963 2013–2015 (died 2023)	lead guitar (1963, 2015) rhythm guitar and backing vocals (2013–2015)	none
Eric Clapton	1963–1965	lead guitar occasional lead vocals	Five Live Yardbirds (1964) For Your Love (1965) Having a Rave Up (1965) Sonny Boy Williamson and the Yardbirds (1966) London 1963: The First Recordings! (1981) Live! Blueswailing July '64 (2003)
Jeff Beck	1965–1966 (died 2023)	lead guitar occasional lead vocals	For Your Love (1965) Having a Rave Up (1965) Roger the Engineer (1966) BBC Sessions (1997) Birdland (2003) – guest appearance on one track only
Jimmy Page	1966–1968	lead guitar rhythm guitar (1966) bass (1966)	Little Games (1967) Live Yardbirds: Featuring Jimmy Page (1971) BBC Sessions (1997) Yardbirds '68 (2017)
Rod Demick	1992–1995	bass harmonica backing vocals	none
Laurie Garman	1995–1996	harmonica
Ray Majors	1995–1996 (died 2022)	lead guitar backing vocals
Gypie Mayo (John Cawthra)	1996–2004 (died 2013)	lead guitar backing vocals	Birdland (2003)
Alan Glen	1996–2003 2008–2009	harmonica percussion	Birdland (2003)
Billy Boy Miskimmin	2003–2008	harmonica percussion	Live at B.B. King Blues Club (2007)
Jerry Donahue	2004–2005	lead guitar	none
Ben King	2005–2015	lead guitar	Live at B.B. King Blues Club (2007) Making Tracks (2012)
Andy Mitchell	2009–2015	lead vocals acoustic guitar harmonica percussion	Making Tracks (2012)
David Smale	2009–2015	bass backing vocals	Making Tracks (2012)
Earl Slick (Frank Madeloni)	2015	lead guitar	none
Johnny A. (John Antonopoulos)	2015–2018	lead guitar	none

Timeline

Original run (1963–1968)

Reunion (1992–present)

Line-ups

Period	Members	Releases
May–October 1963	Keith Relf – lead vocals, harmonica Top Topham – lead guitar Chris Dreja – rhythm guitar Paul Samwell-Smith – bass, backing vocals Jim McCarty – drums, percussion, backing vocals	none
October 1963 – March 1965	Keith Relf – lead vocals, harmonica Chris Dreja – rhythm guitar Paul Samwell-Smith – bass, backing vocals Jim McCarty – drums, percussion, backing vocals Eric Clapton – lead guitar, occasional lead vocals	Five Live Yardbirds (1964) For Your Love (1965) Having a Rave Up (1965) Sonny Boy Williamson and the Yardbirds (1966) London 1963: The First Recordings (1981) Live! Blueswailing July '64 (2003) Glimpses 1963–1968 (2011)
March 1965 – June 1966	Keith Relf – lead vocals, harmonica Chris Dreja – rhythm guitar, piano Paul Samwell-Smith – bass, backing vocals Jim McCarty – drums, percussion, backing vocals Jeff Beck – lead guitar, occasional lead vocals	For Your Love (1965) Having a Rave Up (1965) Roger the Engineer (1966) Glimpses 1963–1968 (2011)
June–August 1966	Keith Relf – lead vocals, harmonica Chris Dreja – rhythm guitar Jim McCarty – drums, percussion, backing vocals Jeff Beck – lead guitar Jimmy Page – bass	"Psycho Daisies" (1966) (Beck, Page, & McCarty only) Glimpses 1963–1968 (2011) (3 live tracks from 27/6/1966)
August–November 1966	Keith Relf – lead vocals, harmonica Chris Dreja – bass, backing vocals Jim McCarty – drums, percussion, backing vocals Jeff Beck – lead and rhythm guitars Jimmy Page – lead and rhythm guitars	"Happenings Ten Years Time Ago" (1966) (with John Paul Jones on bass) "Stroll On" (1967)
November 1966 – July 1968	Keith Relf – lead vocals, harmonica, rhythm guitar Chris Dreja – bass, backing vocals Jim McCarty – drums, percussion, backing vocals Jimmy Page – lead guitar	Little Games (1967) Live Yardbirds: Featuring Jimmy Page (1971) Glimpses 1963–1968 (2011) Yardbirds '68 (2017)
Band inactive 1969–1992
1984 – 1986 (Partial comeback as Box of Frogs)	Chris Dreja – rhythm guitar, percussion, backing vocals Jim McCarty – drums, backing vocals, percussion, keyboards Paul Samwell-Smith – bass, backing vocals percussion, synthesizer John Fiddler – lead vocals, guitars, percussion, synthesizers Notable session contributors Jimmy Page – lead guitar Jeff Beck – lead guitar Ray Majors – lead guitar, backing vocals, percussion Rory Gallagher – lead and slide guitar, electric sitar Mark Feltham – harmonica Steve Hackett – lead guitar Graham Gouldman – rhythm guitar, backing vocals	Box of Frogs (1984) Interchords (1984) Strange Land (1986)

1992–1995	Chris Dreja – rhythm guitar, backing vocals Jim McCarty – drums, percussion, backing vocals Rod Demick – bass, harmonica, backing vocals John Idan – lead vocals, lead guitar	none
1995–1996	Chris Dreja – rhythm guitar, backing vocals Jim McCarty – drums, percussion, backing vocals John Idan – lead vocals, bass Ray Majors – lead guitar, backing vocals Laurie Garman – harmonica
1996	Chris Dreja – rhythm guitar, backing vocals Jim McCarty – drums, percussion, backing vocals John Idan – lead vocals, bass Laurie Garman – harmonica Gypie Mayo – lead guitar, backing vocals
1996–2003	Chris Dreja – rhythm guitar, backing vocals Jim McCarty – drums, backing vocals John Idan – lead vocals, bass Gypie Mayo – lead guitar, backing vocals Alan Glen – harmonica, percussion	Birdland (2003)
2003 – November 2004	Chris Dreja – rhythm guitar, backing vocals Jim McCarty – drums, backing vocals John Idan – lead vocals, bass Gypie Mayo – lead guitar, backing vocals Billy Boy Miskimmin – harmonica, percussion, backing vocals	none
November 2004 – October 2005	Chris Dreja – rhythm guitar, backing vocals Jim McCarty – drums, backing vocals John Idan – lead vocals, bass Billy Boy Miskimmin – harmonica, percussion, backing vocals Jerry Donahue – lead guitar	none
October 2005 – 2008	Chris Dreja – rhythm guitar, backing vocals Jim McCarty – drums, backing vocals John Idan – lead vocals, bass Billy Boy Miskimmin – harmonica, percussion, backing vocals Ben King – lead guitar, percussion	Live at B.B. King Blues Club (2007)
2008 – May 2009	Chris Dreja – rhythm guitar, backing vocals Jim McCarty – drums, backing vocals John Idan – lead vocals, bass Ben King – lead guitar, percussion Alan Glen – harmonica, percussion	none
May 2009 – July 2013	Chris Dreja – rhythm guitar, backing vocals Jim McCarty – drums, backing vocals Ben King – lead guitar, percussion Andy Mitchell – lead vocals, acoustic guitar, harmonica, percussion David Smale – bass, backing vocals	Making Tracks (2012)
July 2013 – January 2015	Jim McCarty – drums, backing vocals Ben King – lead guitar, percussion Andy Mitchell – lead vocals, acoustic guitar, harmonica, percussion David Smale – bass, backing vocals Top Topham – rhythm guitar, backing vocals	none
February–May 2015	Jim McCarty – drums, backing vocals Top Topham – lead guitar, backing vocals John Idan – lead vocals, rhythm guitar Kenny Aaronson – bass Myke Scavone – harmonica, percussion, backing vocals
May–August 2015	Jim McCarty – drums, backing vocals John Idan – lead vocals, rhythm guitar Kenny Aaronson – bass Myke Scavone – harmonica, percussion, backing vocals Earl Slick – lead guitar
August 2015 – July 2018	Jim McCarty – drums, backing vocals John Idan – lead vocals, rhythm guitar Kenny Aaronson – bass Myke Scavone – harmonica, percussion, backing vocals Johnny A. – lead guitar
July 2018 – present	Jim McCarty – drums, vocals John Idan – lead vocals, rhythm guitar Kenny Aaronson – bass Myke Scavone – harmonica, percussion, backing vocals Godfrey Townsend – lead guitar, backing vocals

References

^ Fielder, Hugh (23 March 2007). "The Yardbirds: We're Having A Rave-Up!". Classic Rock. Retrieved 24 December 2018.
^ Porter, David (7 March 2012). "11 reasons why The Yardbirds were the greatest rock cradle ever". MusicRadar. Retrieved 24 December 2018.
^ Fanelli, Damian (12 March 2017). "March 13, 1965: Eric Clapton Quits The Yardbirds". Guitar World. Retrieved 24 December 2018.
^ Reiser, Brian M. "The Inside Scoop on How Jeff Beck Became a Yardbird". Joe Bonamassa. Retrieved 24 December 2018.
^ Wawzenek, Bryan (21 June 2016). "50 Years Ago: Jimmy Page Plays First Gig With The Yardbirds". Ultimate Classic Rock. Retrieved 24 December 2018.
^ "The Yardbirds". Rhino Entertainment. 21 January 2014. Retrieved 24 December 2018.
^ "Yardbirds: 'Birdland' And Before". Billboard. 28 January 2003. Retrieved 24 December 2018.
^ "Led Zeppelin: The rise to heavenly heights". The Independent. 25 November 2005. Retrieved 24 December 2018.
^ ^a ^b "The Yardbirds Biography". Favored Nations Entertainment. Retrieved 24 December 2018.
^ "Reunion Jam - The Yardbirds: Songs, Reviews, Credits". AllMusic. Retrieved 24 December 2018.
^ Grow, Kory (23 October 2013). "Gypie Mayo, Dr. Feelgood Guitarist, Dead at 62". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 24 December 2018.
^ Eder, Bruce. "Alan Glen: Biography & History". AllMusic. Retrieved 24 December 2018.
^ Umlauf, Simon (15 April 2003). "The British are coming! The British are coming!". CNN. Retrieved 24 December 2018.
^ McCarty, Jim; Thompson, Dave (29 March 2018). Nobody Told Me: My Life with The Yardbirds, Renaissance and Other Stories. Lulu.com. p. 286. ISBN 978-0244966508.
^ "Gypie Mayo - The Yardbirds". Dr. Feelgood. Retrieved 24 December 2018.
^ Kirkman, Jon (17 August 2018). Tales from the Rock Vaults, Volume I. Lulu.com. p. 83. ISBN 978-1789261950.
^ "Jerry Donahue To Join The Yardbirds". The Yardbirds. February 2005. Archived from the original on 9 March 2005. Retrieved 24 December 2018.
^ "Ben King The Yardbirds New Lead Guitarist". The Yardbirds. October 2005. Archived from the original on 23 October 2005. Retrieved 24 December 2018.
^ "Q & A with Harmonica Player Alan Glen of Yardbirds, Nine Below Zero, Barcodes, and Little Axe". Michael Limnios Blues Network. 2 March 2012. Retrieved 24 December 2018.
^ Barryd, Sid (May 2009). "Yardbirds Press Release". The Yardbirds. Archived from the original on 2 February 2010. Retrieved 24 December 2018.
^ "Spring 2012 Yardbirds US Tour begins February 1st in Buffalo, New York". The Yardbirds. January 2012. Archived from the original on 19 January 2012. Retrieved 24 December 2018.
^ "'He's sort of surviving': Jim McCarty opens up about ailing Yardbirds legend Chris Dreja". Something Else!. 9 May 2014. Retrieved 24 December 2018.
^ "Topham Replaces Dreja in Yardbirds". Vintage Guitar. 10 July 2013. Retrieved 24 December 2018.
^ Rheubottom, Robert (1 February 2015). "The Yardbirds announce spring 2015 U.S. tour dates". AXS. Retrieved 24 December 2018.
^ Rheubottom, Robert (3 February 2015). "The Yardbirds announce new line up ahead of 2015 U.S. spring tour". AXS. Retrieved 24 December 2018.
^ "The Yardbirds Postpone 2015 Tour Dates". Rock Cellar Magazine. 3 March 2015. Retrieved 24 December 2018.
^ "The Yardbirds Enlist Guitarist Earl Slick, Map Out 2015 Tour Dates". Rock Cellar Magazine. 4 May 2015. Retrieved 24 December 2018.
^ "The Yardbirds 2015 Tour Kicks Into High Gear". The Yardbirds. 12 August 2015. Archived from the original on 26 August 2015. Retrieved 24 December 2018.
^ "The Yardbirds' New Guitarist Godfrey Townsend". Rock NYC. 1 August 2018. Retrieved 24 December 2018.

External links

The Yardbirds official website

[1] Fielder, Hugh (23 March 2007). "The Yardbirds: We're Having A Rave-Up!". Classic Rock. Retrieved 24 December 2018.

[2] Porter, David (7 March 2012). "11 reasons why The Yardbirds were the greatest rock cradle ever". MusicRadar. Retrieved 24 December 2018.

[3] Fanelli, Damian (12 March 2017). "March 13, 1965: Eric Clapton Quits The Yardbirds". Guitar World. Retrieved 24 December 2018.

[4] Reiser, Brian M. "The Inside Scoop on How Jeff Beck Became a Yardbird". Joe Bonamassa. Retrieved 24 December 2018.

[5] Wawzenek, Bryan (21 June 2016). "50 Years Ago: Jimmy Page Plays First Gig With The Yardbirds". Ultimate Classic Rock. Retrieved 24 December 2018.

[6] "The Yardbirds". Rhino Entertainment. 21 January 2014. Retrieved 24 December 2018.

[7] "Yardbirds: 'Birdland' And Before". Billboard. 28 January 2003. Retrieved 24 December 2018.

[8] "Led Zeppelin: The rise to heavenly heights". The Independent. 25 November 2005. Retrieved 24 December 2018.

[bio-9] "The Yardbirds Biography". Favored Nations Entertainment. Retrieved 24 December 2018.

[10] "Reunion Jam - The Yardbirds: Songs, Reviews, Credits". AllMusic. Retrieved 24 December 2018.

[11] Grow, Kory (23 October 2013). "Gypie Mayo, Dr. Feelgood Guitarist, Dead at 62". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 24 December 2018.

[12] Eder, Bruce. "Alan Glen: Biography & History". AllMusic. Retrieved 24 December 2018.

[13] Umlauf, Simon (15 April 2003). "The British are coming! The British are coming!". CNN. Retrieved 24 December 2018.

[14] McCarty, Jim; Thompson, Dave (29 March 2018). Nobody Told Me: My Life with The Yardbirds, Renaissance and Other Stories. Lulu.com. p. 286. ISBN 978-0244966508.

[15] "Gypie Mayo - The Yardbirds". Dr. Feelgood. Retrieved 24 December 2018.

[16] Kirkman, Jon (17 August 2018). Tales from the Rock Vaults, Volume I. Lulu.com. p. 83. ISBN 978-1789261950.

[17] "Jerry Donahue To Join The Yardbirds". The Yardbirds. February 2005. Archived from the original on 9 March 2005. Retrieved 24 December 2018.

[18] "Ben King The Yardbirds New Lead Guitarist". The Yardbirds. October 2005. Archived from the original on 23 October 2005. Retrieved 24 December 2018.

[19] "Q & A with Harmonica Player Alan Glen of Yardbirds, Nine Below Zero, Barcodes, and Little Axe". Michael Limnios Blues Network. 2 March 2012. Retrieved 24 December 2018.

[20] Barryd, Sid (May 2009). "Yardbirds Press Release". The Yardbirds. Archived from the original on 2 February 2010. Retrieved 24 December 2018.

[21] "Spring 2012 Yardbirds US Tour begins February 1st in Buffalo, New York". The Yardbirds. January 2012. Archived from the original on 19 January 2012. Retrieved 24 December 2018.

[22] "'He's sort of surviving': Jim McCarty opens up about ailing Yardbirds legend Chris Dreja". Something Else!. 9 May 2014. Retrieved 24 December 2018.

[23] "Topham Replaces Dreja in Yardbirds". Vintage Guitar. 10 July 2013. Retrieved 24 December 2018.

[24] Rheubottom, Robert (1 February 2015). "The Yardbirds announce spring 2015 U.S. tour dates". AXS. Retrieved 24 December 2018.

[25] Rheubottom, Robert (3 February 2015). "The Yardbirds announce new line up ahead of 2015 U.S. spring tour". AXS. Retrieved 24 December 2018.

[26] "The Yardbirds Postpone 2015 Tour Dates". Rock Cellar Magazine. 3 March 2015. Retrieved 24 December 2018.

[27] "The Yardbirds Enlist Guitarist Earl Slick, Map Out 2015 Tour Dates". Rock Cellar Magazine. 4 May 2015. Retrieved 24 December 2018.

[28] "The Yardbirds 2015 Tour Kicks Into High Gear". The Yardbirds. 12 August 2015. Archived from the original on 26 August 2015. Retrieved 24 December 2018.

[29] "The Yardbirds' New Guitarist Godfrey Townsend". Rock NYC. 1 August 2018. Retrieved 24 December 2018.

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v t e The Yardbirds
Original members (1963–1968): Keith Relf Paul Samwell-Smith Chris Dreja Jim McCarty Top Topham Eric Clapton Jeff Beck Jimmy Page Later members (since 1992): John Idan Gypie Mayo Alan Glen Jerry Donahue Ben King Johnny A. Kenny Aaronson Myke Scavone
Studio recordings	For Your Love Having a Rave Up Roger the Engineer Little Games Birdland
Live albums	Five Live Yardbirds Sonny Boy Williamson and the Yardbirds Live Yardbirds! Featuring Jimmy Page Live! Blueswailing July '64
Anthologies	The Yardbirds Greatest Hits Shapes of Things Ultimate! Glimpses 1963–1968 Yardbirds '68
Soundtracks	Blow-Up – The Original Sound Track Album
Bootlegs	Golden Eggs More Golden Eggs
Singles	"I Wish You Would" "A Certain Girl" "Good Morning Little Schoolgirl" "For Your Love" "Heart Full of Soul" "Evil Hearted You" "I'm a Man" "Shapes of Things" "You're a Better Man Than I" "Boom Boom" "Over Under Sideways Down" "Happenings Ten Years Time Ago" "Ha Ha Said the Clown" "Ten Little Indians"
Other songs	"Let It Rock" "Who Do You Love" "You Can't Judge a Book by Looking at the Cover" "Too Much Monkey Business" "Smokestack Lightning" "Five Long Years" "The Sky Is Crying" "My Girl Sloopy" "The Train Kept A-Rollin'" "Spoonful" "The Stumble" "Dust My Blues" "White Summer" "Drinking Muddy Water" "Stealing Stealing" "Most Likely You Go Your Way (And I'll Go Mine)" "Dazed and Confused" "Knowing That I'm Losing You" "I'm Waiting for the Man"
Related	Discography Members Cream Jeff Beck Group Led Zeppelin Renaissance Box of Frogs