The Yardbirds, from left, Keith Relf, Chris Dreja, Jeff Beck, Jim McCarty and Jimmy Page - in the basement dressing room of The Comic Strip in Worcester. Since his famed Christmas song, and his health hell, Chris now has to take "34 pills every day". Join Facebook to connect with Chris Dreja and others you may know. "And, after all that, the kidney is. The band really should have considered changing the name. Our editors will review what youve submitted and determine whether to revise the article. The inside story may never be known. he is one of famous rock musician with the age 75 years old group. And eventually Dreja and Topham became the core of an outfit called Metropolis Blues Quartet (some sources say the Metropolitan Blues Quartet), which across the course of a year added members Keith Relf, Jim McCarty, and Paul Samwell-Smith, and metamorphosed into the Yardbirds. We were the local London band, so they invited us to be part of it. Topham and Dreja were influenced by folk/blues guitarist Gerry Lochran; he influenced them to switch from acoustic to electric guitars according to Greg Russo in his book The Yardbirds: The Ultimate Rave-Up. Chris Dreja may be minimal well-known from the Yardbirds, as he wasnt among their business lead guitarists, lead performers, or even more prominent songwriters. In 2002, Dreja and McCarty re-emerged with a reactivated Yardbirds lineup and a new album, Birdland -- despite some skepticism from onlookers, the album was well received, and the group did a very successful world tour that included performances in venues such as B.B. The photo was taken by Romeo L. "Gus" Vachon, the manager of The New Breed, the house band at The . Paul played something called Scrambled Eggs for us that later turned into Yesterday. Instead of joining the Zeppelin, he photographed the band for the back cover of their 1969 debut 'Led Zeppelin.'. "Robbie was an amazing person who was always committed to helping Reminiscing on the day he told his wife, Joan, that he no longer had cancer, he said: "She pulled the car over and burst into tears.". Find your way to better care. And didn't Relf start a heavy metal band later on called Armageddon?). Its really a two-and-a-half minute opera! He seemed to be able to play without really practicing. Here is Jimmy's statement about it: "#OnThisDay in 1968, I played Detroit with The Yardbirds. Chris Dreja, a former Yardbird, turned down the position of bassist in Led Zeppelin to pursue his passion for photography and went on to capture his former band mates as they gained international critical and commercial success. Dreja remained on bass when Beck left shortly afterward and reduced the Yardbirds to a quartet and stayed on bass until the band broke up in 1968. May 8, 1943, London), and guitarist Anthony (Top) Topham (b. July 3, 1947, Southall, Middlesex). Corrections? Chris Dreja is an English musician, best known as the rhythm guitarist and bassist for the Yardbirds. 30, 1945, Ripley, Surrey), bassist Chris Dreja (b. November 11, 1946, London), drummer Jim McCarty (b. July 25, 1943, Liverpool, Merseyside), bassist Paul Samwell-Smith (b. English group The Yardbirds, featuring (from left) Paul Samwell-Smith, Chris Dreja, Jim McCarty, Jeff Beck and Keith Relf, pose together on a London street in 1965. Leave a comment. and leaves a big void." Read Full Biography. He was much more sophisticated after dealing with people like Most, especially in regards to making sure his bands retained artistic control. Newsroom; Events; Careers; 833-678-2781. Chris Dreja: I'm happy to say that those from my generation are still out there kicking! Here we are updating just estimated networth of Chris Dreja salary, income and assets. Rock Musician In 1994, the father-of-two developed pancreatic cancer and then underwent a life-saving operation to remove some of his internal organs. Follow this author to stay notified about their latest stories. Search 833-678-2781. Bakersfield, CA, 93313. That all probably changed with [Led] Zeppelin, but I cant speak for that era [laughs]. Absolutely! \r\rSong- Chris' Number (Take 1)\r\rIMPORTANT DISCLAIMER: The music and video remain copyright of their respective owners and are strictly used here on Youtube for educational reasons as well as for the artists's promotional purposes only!\rTherefore, if you own copyright over any part of these materials and do not wish to see it here, please contact me directly (rather than immediately referring to Youtube) and I will remove it as soon as possible! That was a neat track. Chris's income mostly comes from and basic source is being a successful British rock musician. Original drummer Jim McCarty called on Top Topham to take Dreja's place for the group's upcoming 50-year celebration that will include U.S. dates in 2014 and a U.K. tour with other British . Kaiser Permanente Orange County Irvine Medical Center. He was precise and businesslike. My best guess is that as Page brought in the new members, particularly bassist/keyboardist John Paul Jones who had worked as a session player . Mon 8:00 am - 5:00 pm. Please scroll down to see information about Chris Dreja Social media profiles. Christopher Walenty Dreja Profile: English musician, born 11 November 1945, Surbiton, England. Quick Facts: Here are some interesting facts about Chris Dreja: * He is originated from England. "It can also leave a bitter, unpleasant taste in your mouth," the charity added. Page Views (PV) 42.66. Discussion in 'Music Corner' started by ajsmith, Apr 2, 2019. Here is another tribute that I did for Chris Dreja of The Yardbirds. They made their debut with electric guitars at a concert with Duster Bennett and a young Jimmy Page. His brother Stefan Dreja chanced to meet Top Topham, and introduced Topham to his brother. Possibly as a result of the way the album was recorded, with lead guitarist Jeff Beck coming in to lay down his lead guitar parts separate from the rest of the group, or mixed -- with EMI staff engineers struggling to meet deadlines and spending far more time on the mono version than the stereo mixes -- the lead guitar parts were left off of two of the songs on the Epic Records stereo LP releases of the album, "Hot House of Omagarashid" and "Lost Woman," thus giving Dreja's instrument a rare moment at center stage. Chris Dreja: In the early sixties, they used to come to London for a Christmas show. When Chris Dreja jumped up on stage with the Jim McCarty Band, at London's 100 Club in 1992, it was just a couple of old bandmates having a blow for Auld Lang Syne. Here is another tribute that I did for Chris Dreja of The Yardbirds. Discover Chris Drejas Biography, Age, Height, Physical Stats, Dating/Affairs, Family and career updates. With hits like For Your Love, Shapes Of Things and Heart Full Of Soul, The Yardbirds were one of the most influential of the early 1960s blues-rock bands. Less common symptoms can include: fever, shivering, feeling unwell, not being able to swallow food properly, and feeling full quickly after eating. Wiki, Biography, Age, Family, NetWorth & Know More. He has, however, played in the Yardbirds spinoff band Box of Frogs. Dreja in fact played piano in those times, and both would play collectively at Tophams home, became a member of by another classmate, guitarist Dave Holt; all three had been turned on towards the music of Jimmy Reed at that time, and it had been Holt who was simply a better participant than either of these, but additionally a good instructor who helped Dreja make the change to your guitar. I think he was in an unmarked grave for years. As for indigestion, the charity explained that it can feel like a "painful, burning feeling" in the chest. They made their debut with electric guitars at concert with Duster Bennett and a young Jimmy Page. King's in New York. We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you've consented to and to improve our understanding of you. Its a cross section. McCarty jammed using the embryonic music group and Hawken finished up signing up for Renaissance, instead of Drejas country task. He would listen to old blues records and mimic the guitar sounds. Dreja actually played piano in those days, and the two would play together at Topham's house, joined by another classmate, guitarist Dave Holt; all three were turned on to the music of Jimmy Reed at the time, and it was Holt -- who was a better player than either of them, but also a good teacher -- who helped Dreja make the switch to the guitar. Biography On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. Either than being in The Yardbirds, he is also a professional photographer. He would practice all day. [2], Dreja and Topham became core members of the Metropolitan (or Metropolis) Blues Quartet. Here you will see photos from all the different line up of the Yardbirds, fan autographs, and singles. Apparently Dreja didn't mind and was in any case soon pursuing a career as a photographer. However, he wanted to have a profession in photography and refused Jimmy Page's offer. He was later inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame with the Yardbirds in 1992 Watch Yardbirds members and Jeff Beck talking about Keith's death: Chris Dreja's surname on all his songwriting credits for this album was misspelled on the LP labels as "Ereja". Expanding on each one of the symptoms, the charity elaborated: "Tummy pain or back pain are common symptoms of pancreatic cancer. "The pain may start as general discomfort or tenderness in the tummy area and spread to the back.". In those days, we didnt have good PA systems. Your email address will not be published. Drejas photographic profession occupied him for some from the 30 years following the Yardbirds separation, though he do attain some lingering presence within the music globe by capturing the cover from the 1st Led Zeppelin recording, which, over the years, has offered multi-million copies. (Photo courtesy of The Yardbirds). Sarah Stewart. Original drummer Jim McCarty called on Top Topham to take Drejas place for the groups upcoming 50-year celebration that will include U.S. dates in 2014 and a U.K. tour with other British Invasion artists the Zombies, the Animals, the Spencer Davis Group, Chris Farlow, and Maggie Bell. QUESTION: Were the Yardbirds still signed to Epic in the USA and Columbia in the UK? In 1992, the band was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. I write about extreme adventure and classic rock. 4151 Mexicali Dr . What do you recall about each? When the Yardbirds broke up and Keith Relf and Jim McCarty starting working together on projects that would evolve into Renaissance, Chris Dreja was thinking of forming a country band. We recommend you to check the complete list of Famous rock musician. July 18, 2021 Dreja appears among the songwriters on many Yardbirds group compositions (especially over the 1966 Roger the Engineer record), though it appears that Keith Relf, Jim McCarty, Jimmy Web page, and Samwell-Smith had been more vigorous contributors on that front side. And Jimmy was different because he was from the session side. I caught up with them for some rock history trivia. Luckily for Dreja's legacy and recognition, the role of the rhythm guitar in most British Invasion-era rock was fairly prominent. The band's core lineup featured vocalist and harmonica player Keith Relf, drummer Jim McCarty, rhythm guitarist and later bassist Chris Dreja, and bassist/producer Paul Samwell-Smith.The band started the careers of three of rock's most famous guitarists: Eric Clapton, Jeff Beck and Jimmy Page, all of whom ranked in the top five . Chris Dreja might be the least well-known of the Yardbirds, as he wasn't one of their lead guitarists, lead singers, or more prominent songwriters. Jim McCarty has recalled that the band would have included John Hawken, formerly of the Nashville Teens, and steel guitarist B.J. Jim Clash: You worked with Clapton, Beck and Page. It was soon realized that this wasn't entirely logical, as Page had long established himself as an excellent lead guitarist, so he joined Beck in sharing the lead guitar parts, and Dreja switched from rhythm to the bass. Facebook gives people the power to. Chris Dreja was born in Surbiton, and raised in Kingston upon Thames, Surrey. The Yardbirds are an English rock band, formed in London in 1963. See today's front and back pages, download the newspaper, order back issues and use the historic Daily Express newspaper archive. (Ironic because Page would go that direction to varying degrees on Led Zeppelin III, IV, etc. OK, if they had gone with the name, "Len Zefflin", they definitely would have bombed. Elif Ozden. In 1968, Jimmy Page and the Yardbirds Played at St. Xavier's Prom - Cincinnati Magazine, Forum Policies, Rules, and Terms of Service. He had started out as a very sensitive young man, but after five or six intense years on the road, he became a bit of a mess. Either than being in The Yardbirds, he is also a professional photographer. There were no unimportant members of the Yardbirds, however, and as rhythm guitarist, Dreja did his share to propel their intense fusion of blues, rock, and experimental psychedelia in the mid-'60s. Keith was also a sensitive soul. When he came to the group, he did just that played what we wanted. In those days, as fellow performers, we had unlimited access. May 1, 2021 What are audiences like now, and do you ever get bored? His body was found by his eight-year-old son. [4] Due to this drawing the album has been referred to as Roger the Engineer. Sites: Wikipedia In Groups: Beehive (14), Box Of Frogs, The Yardbirds Variations: Viewing All | Chris Dreja C. Drega, C. Dreja, C. Trega, C.Dreja, Chris Deja, Deja, Drega, Dreja, Ereja Artist [a594542] Edit Artist Marketplace 11,510 For Sale Vinyl and CD Some people self-destruct. How would LZs work be viewed as a more direct continuation of and as a piece with the 64-68 YBs canon? Chris is a phenomenal celebrity influencer. Open Accessibility Menu. I was surprised but not surprised when he died because I knew he had delicate health and was not doing wise things to his body. please update to most recent version. Oct 3, 2015 31 Dislike Share Save Dave Lawrence 2.94K subscribers Recorded in Sept. 2011. Chris Dreja, guitarist Jeff Beck, and singer Keith Relf (1943 - 1976) of The Yardbirds, outside a music shop in London, 1965 (Getty Images) Jeff Beck poses with Slash (Getty Images) Depp. Topham, who at 15 was a good student with a lot to lose -- at least, in the eyes of his parents -- left when the band turned professional; but Dreja, an indifferent student who didn't feel he had much of a future in classrooms, stayed on and ended up playing rhythm guitar behind Eric Clapton and later Jeff Beck. Using the embryonic music group and Hawken finished up signing up for Renaissance, of. Music group and Hawken finished up signing up for Renaissance, instead of country., Physical Stats, Dating/Affairs, Family and career updates check the list! Local London band, so they invited us to be part of it much sophisticated! '' in the Yardbirds are an English musician, born 11 November,. 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