There Was Only One Chris Dreja, Co-Founder of 60s Pioneering Band The Yardbirds, Passes at 79. He Was the Whole Talented Package.
Chris Dreja, the rhythm guitarist turned bassist and co-founder of The Yardbirds, has died at the age of 79. A cornerstone of one of the most influential bands of the 1960s, Dreja helped shape the sonic blueprint of rock music—his steady rhythm work and later bass playing provided the scaffolding for legends like Eric Clapton, Jeff Beck, and Jimmy Page to soar.
His passing was confirmed by former bandmate Jimmy Page, who shared on social media:
“I heard today the passing of musician Chris Dreja, who passionately played with the iconic Yardbirds, on rhythm guitar and then the bass. I hadn’t seen him in a while, and I wish I had. RIP Chris.”
Born Christopher Walenty Dreja in 1945, he co-founded the Yardbirds in 1963 and remained with the group until its dissolution in 1968. After declining Page’s invitation to join Led Zeppelin, Dreja pivoted to photography—famously shooting the back cover of Zeppelin’s debut album. His lens captured icons from Bob Dylan to Andy Warhol, proving his artistry extended far beyond the stage.
Dreja’s contributions weren’t just musical—they were architectural. He co-wrote songs, shaped arrangements, and brought “crazy ideas” to the table, as he once told Vintage Guitar. His work with the Yardbirds laid the groundwork for psychedelic rock, garage experimentation, and the extended instrumental “rave-ups” that would become a hallmark of the genre.
