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Jimmy Page Leads Tributes to Yardbirds Co-Founder and Guitarist Chris Dreja
Chris Dreja co-founded the Yardbirds and was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1992; he retired after strokes in 2012 and died following a long illness.
- On October 2, 2025, Chris Dreja, a musician and photographer, was confirmed to have died after a long illness in late September 2025, aged 80.
- Chris Dreja helped found the Yardbirds in London in 1963, started as rhythm guitarist, switched to bass in 1966, co-wrote many songs, and was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1992.
- The Yardbirds' lineup included Eric Clapton, Jeff Beck and Jimmy Page, with hits like `For Your Love` and `Shapes of Things`; the Rock Hall credited their feedback innovations influencing psychedelic and punk.
- Dreja's death leaves Jim McCarty, drummer and Paul Samwell‑Smith, bassist as the sole surviving original Yardbirds, with McCarty still performing under the band's name, David Stark said.
- After leaving active touring Dreja declined Jimmy Page's invitation to join Led Zeppelin, pursued photography of Bob Dylan and Andy Warhol, co-founded Box of Frogs, but retired after strokes in 2012–2013.
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Musician Chris Dreja, an original member of The Yardbirds, has died. He is being mourned by guitar legend Jimmy Page, among others.
·Stockholm, Sweden
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Jimmy Page leads tributes to Yardbirds co-founder and guitarist Chris Dreja
Jimmy Page has led tributes to Yardbirds co-founder and guitarist Chris Dreja, who has died aged 79. Tributes have poured out for the musician, photographer and Rock and Roll Hall of Fame member, who was a core member of the seminal British blues-rock band and shaped the sound of some of their biggest hits, including ‘For Your Love’ and ‘Shapes of Things’. News of his passing was confirmed this evening (October 2) by his sister-in-law, Muriel Le…
·London, United Kingdom
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The Independent (US)
The Independent (US)Chris Dreja death: Yardbirds co-founder and guitarist dies aged 79
Rock and Roll Hall of Famer died ‘after years of health problems,’ his sister-in-law said
·London, United Kingdom
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Coverage Details
Total News Sources12
Leaning Left4Leaning Right1Center2Last UpdatedBias Distribution57% Left
Bias Distribution
- 57% of the sources lean Left
57% Left
L 57%
C 29%
14%
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