The music world recently said goodbye to Chris Dreja, a founding member of The Yardbirds, who passed away at the age of 79. His sister-in-law, Muriel Levy, confirmed the sad news, saying that he had struggled with health problems for many years.
While Dreja may not have been as famous as Eric Clapton, Jeff Beck, or Jimmy Page—three guitar heroes who all passed through The Yardbirds—his role in the band was just as important. He was the quiet, steady hand that helped keep the group together through all of its changes.
Early Days with The Yardbirds
Chris Dreja was born in Surrey, England, in 1945. In 1963, he helped form The Yardbirds with Keith Relf, Jim McCarty, Paul Samwell-Smith, and Top Topham. At first, Dreja played rhythm guitar, but when the band’s lineup shifted, he switched to bass guitar.
The Yardbirds quickly became one of the most exciting groups of the 1960s, mixing blues, rock, and experimental sounds. Dreja played on many of their classic songs, including “For Your Love” and “Heart Full of Soul.” He also contributed to their 1966 album Roger the Engineer and even created one of the cover drawings for it, showing his artistic side.
A Photographer Behind the Scenes
When The Yardbirds split up in 1968, Jimmy Page invited Dreja to join his new band. That group would soon become Led Zeppelin. But instead of taking the offer, Dreja chose a different path—he decided to become a professional photographer.
His photography career was no small thing. Dreja actually shot the back cover photo for Led Zeppelin’s first album. He also worked with other musicians and made a name for himself behind the camera, capturing key moments in rock’s early history.
Return to Music
Though photography became his focus, Dreja didn’t leave music forever. In the 1980s, he reunited with some of his old bandmates in a project called Box of Frogs. Later, when The Yardbirds re-formed in 1992, he came back and toured with them for two decades.
Unfortunately, Dreja’s health began to decline in the 2010s. After suffering several strokes starting in 2012, he retired from performing in 2013.
A Lasting Legacy
Chris Dreja may not have been a household name, but his influence runs deep. He was part of one of the most important bands in rock history, helping to shape their sound and keep them moving forward while legends like Clapton, Beck, and Page came and went.
Beyond music, his photography captured a different side of rock’s golden era. He proved that creativity doesn’t need to stay in just one field—it can cross over, from riffs to drawings to photographs.
As fans remember him, Dreja’s story shows us that not every rock legend stands in the spotlight. Some, like him, shine through their steady presence, their versatility, and their ability to support the music that changed the world.
Rest in peace, Chris Dreja.