Chris Dreja, an original member of The Yardbirds who also worked as a photographer and creative force in rock’s early days, has died at the age of 79. His sister-in-law, Muriel Levy, confirmed the news via social media, saying, “This is with a deep sadness … I have to announce … Chris Dreja … has passed away after years of health problems.”
Born in Surrey, England in 1945, Dreja joined forces with guitarist Top Topham and later Keith Relf, Jim McCarty and Paul Samwell-Smith to form what would become The Yardbirds in 1963. Over time, the band evolved through legendary lineups—Eric Clapton, Jeff Beck, Jimmy Page—and Dreja adapted his role, shifting from rhythm guitar to bass as members changed.
Dreja played on many of The Yardbirds’ classic singles including “For Your Love” and “Heart Full of Soul,” and he was also credited with contributing to the album Roger the Engineer. Notably, he created one of the cover drawings used for that LP.
After The Yardbirds disintegrated around 1968, Dreja declined an offer to join Jimmy Page’s evolving project (which would become Led Zeppelin) to pursue a career in photography. He even shot the back cover photo for Led Zeppelin’s debut album. He later rejoined music by contributing to the band Box of Frogs in the 1980s before The Yardbirds reformed in 1992.
Dreja’s health had been declining in recent years. He suffered a series of strokes beginning in 2012 and formally stepped away from performing in The Yardbirds in 2013. His departure marked the end of an era in which he had been a constant creative presence in the band’s many permutations.
As the rock world mourns, Dreja’s legacy lives on—through the riffs he helped build, the images he captured, and his role in one of rock’s foundational bands.
