Yardbirds guitarist and founding member Chris Dreja Dies at 79

Chris Dreja, guitarist for The Yardbirds and key figure in rock history, dies at 79 after long illness

Chris Dreja, rhythm guitarist and founding member of the influential rock band The Yardbirds, has died at the age of 79, his family confirmed on Friday. Dreja had reportedly battled ongoing health issues for several years.

The news was announced by his sister-in-law, Muriel Levy, in a heartfelt message shared on social media. “It is with deep sadness that I have to announce that my brother-in-law Chris Dreja… has passed away after years of health problems,” she wrote. “I share the pain with my sister Kate, who took care of him during all those years, and his daughter Jackie. May he rest in peace.”

Dreja was a pivotal figure in the original lineup of The Yardbirds, the legendary 1960s rock group known for their innovation and influence on multiple genres. The band was formed in 1963 alongside fellow musicians Anthony "Top" Topham, Keith Relf, Jim McCarty, and Paul Samwell-Smith. Dreja originally played rhythm guitar before transitioning to bass, and he remained with the group through their classic era. He was later inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame for his contributions to music.

Jimmy Page, Dreja’s former bandmate and future Led Zeppelin icon, paid tribute to him on social media. “I heard today of the passing of musician Chris Dreja, who passionately played with the iconic Yardbirds,” Page wrote. “I hadn’t seen him in a while, and I wish I had. RIP Chris.”

The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame also honored Dreja, recognizing his co-writing of key tracks on the band's 1966 self-titled album and 1967’s Little Games. They praised his role in defining the band’s signature sound, contributing to hits like “For Your Love,” “Shapes of Things,” and “Over Under Sideways Down.”