The Yardbirds

The Yardbirds is the name of a British group of rock'n'roll of the Années 1960, formed in May 1963.

Current formation

Former members

Origin of the name

In English, the word yardbird , which one can translate by “poultry”, is also a slang term designating the vagrants who use the goods trucks to travel free.

One can see also there a reference to Charlie Parker and his nickname of “Bird”.

History

The Clapton years

Formed in May 1963, Yardbirds then play of the rythm' blues with the manner of many other British groups associated with the British Blues Boom such as the Rolling Stones or the Animals. The arrival with the end of the year of the young person Eric Clapton with the guitar makes it possible the group to leave the batch. The virtuosity of Clapton (that its admirors call God in all simplicity) installs Yardbirds like one of the most interesting groups of its generation on scene. The album Five Live Yardbirds left in 1964 makes it possible to confirm this reputation. But hitherto, Yardbirds are generally satisfied with brilliant begun again more eminent bluesmen American (Howlin' Wolf, Sony Boy Williamson…), without having their own repertory. This vacuum is filled with the exit of the piece For Your Love in 1965. First large business success of Yardbirds, it marks however an orientation of the group towards a music more pop, which causes to cause the departure of Clapton, viscéralement attached to the Blues.

The Beck years

Left Clapton, the group leaves to research a new soloist. It is first of all Jimmy Page which is contacted. Very famous guitarist of session in the small world of the British rock'n'roll, Page however declines the offer and advises in his place his friend Jeff Beck. The arrival of Jeff Beck marks a new turning in the musical orientation of the group. Follower of new technologies, Beck does not have of cease to push back the sound limits of his instrument. Under its influence, Yardbirds will escape on the grounds from the psychedelism, but also will clear a new kind which one will not be long in calling Hard rock.

In 1966, the bass player and producing Paul Samwell-Smith leaves the group for personal suitabilities. He is replaced by Jimmy Page, which this time did not decline the invitation. But quickly, Page exchanges its place with the second guitarist of the group Chris Dreja. The duet (or duel?) of guitarist Beck-Page will last only a few months, the time of only three recorded pieces. In spite of its short duration, this duet appears in the film Blow-up of Michelangelo Antonioni (Gold 1967 Palm).

Of Yardbirds with Led Zeppelin

Page from now on only with the head of the group, Yardbirds impress more than ever by their services on scene. Blazing guitarist, Page tries out in particular on scene the famous technique of the bow at the time of the piece I' m confused which will become later under the title Dazed and Confused , one of the purple passages of Led Zeppelin. But if the group is an animal of scene, he pains to find his way in studio, passage however obliged for business success. Failures in fallen through projects, without true guiding line, Page is released in 1968 by the singer Keith Relf and the beater Jim McCarty who from there will found a new group. Little time after, whereas the group was renamed New Yardbirds , it is Chris Dreja which from goes away in its turn (Dreja will become photographer and sign in particular the photograph which appears in the back of the small pocket of the first album of Led Zeppelin).

Having to honor despite everything a series with contractual engagements (in particular a round in Scandinavia), Page recruits for New Yardbirds the bass player John Paul Jones, the beater John Bonham and the singer Robert Plant. During the round in Scandinavia, the group again changes name to take the name of Led Zeppelin.

Reformation

In 1992, the rhythmic guitarist Chris Dreja and the beater Jim McCarty decide to start again Yardbirds. If the musicians at the posts of harmonicist and guitarist soloist are regularly replaced, Yardbirds new are as of 1994 a singer-bass player from which they will not separate any more: John Idan. In 2003, they leave a new album, Birdland , on which many prestigious guests make an appearance. Among them, an old friend: Jeff Beck.

Discography

LP

  • Five Live Yardbirds - Columbia 33SX1677, 1964
  • For Your Coils - Epic 26167, 1965
  • Having has Rave Up - Epic 26177, 1965
  • The Yardbirds - Columbia, 1966
  • Little Games - Epic BN26313, 1967
  • Live Yardbirds: Featuring Jimmy Page - 1971
  • Blue Eyed Blues - 1972
  • Birdland - 2003

Individual

  • I Wish You Would/has Certain Girl - Columbia DB7283 1964
  • Good Morning Little Schoolgirl/I Ain' T Got You - Columbia DB7391 1964 #44
  • For Your Love/Got To Hurry - Columbia DB7499 1965 #3
  • Heart Full Of Drunk Steeled Blues - Columbia DB7594 1965 #2
  • Evil Hearted You/Still I' m Sad - Columbia DB7706 1965 #3
  • Shapes Of Things/You' Re has Better Man Than I - Columbia DB7848 1966 #3
  • Over Under Sideways Down/Jeff' S Boogie - Columbia DB7928 1966 #10
  • Happenings Ten Years Time Ago/Psycho Daisies - Columbia DB8024 1966 #43
  • Little Ranges Puzzles - Columbia DB8165 1967

See too

Internal bond

External bond

  • the official site of Yardbirds
  • the French official site of Yardbirds

Simple: The Yardbirds

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