The Yardbirds are an English rock band, formed in London in 1963. The band's core lineup featured vocalist and harmonica player Keith Relf, drummer Jim McCarty, rhythm guitarist/bassist Chris Dreja and bassist/producer Paul Samwell-Smith. The band is known for starting the careers of three of rock's most famous guitarists, Eric Clapton, Jimmy Page and Jeff Beck, all of whom ranked in the top five of Rolling Stonemagazine's list of 100 greatest guitarists. The band had a string of hits throughout the mid-1960s, including "For Your Love", "Heart Full of Soul", "Shapes of Things" and "Over Under Sideways Down".

Originally a blues-based band noted for their signature "rave-up" instrumental breaks, the Yardbirds broadened their range into pop, pioneering psychedelic rock and early hard rock; and contributed to many electric guitar innovations of the mid-1960s. Some rock critics and historians also cite their influence on the later punk rock, progressive rock, and heavy metal trends. Following the band's split in 1968, Relf and McCarty formed Renaissance and guitarist Jimmy Page formed Led Zeppelin.

Members, [Eric Clapton – (born Eric Patrick Clapton, CBE, March 30, 1945) lead guitar, backing vocals (1963–1965)]  Jeff Beck – (born Geoffrey Arnold Beck, June 25, 1944) lead guitar, backing vocals (1965–1966), Jim McCarty – (born , James Stanley McCartyJuly 25, 1943) drums, backing vocals (1963–1968, 1982–1983, 1992–present), lead vocals (1992), Chris Dreja – (born Christopher Walenty Dreja, Nov. 11, 1945 in Surbiton, Surrey) rhythm guitar, percussion (1963–1966, 1982–1983, 1992–2013), bass (1966–1968), Paul Samwell-Smith – (born Paul Smith, May 8, 1943, in Richmond, Surrey) bass, backing vocals (1963–1966, 1983), Jimmy Page – (born James Patrick Page OBE, January 9, 1944) lead guitar (1966–1968), bass (1966). … Read original text here >>> The Yardbirds

Where The Action Is  [1997]