"Some of you may be aware that the Yardbirds filmed a handful of gigs on our tour in the U.S last September, with the hopes of capturing material we could create and release ‘properly’ in a DVD format!

So far the performances have impressed us with their energy and ‘vibe’..

Drummer, Jim McCarty and myself will be traveling to Boston i a few weeks to take part in a monster editing session, to try and make this project as good as it can be!

Really looking forward to this experience, and hope we manage to create some film that enhances the  music, also demonstrating how this legendary band still perform on stage.

PIONEERING BRITISH BLUES-ROCK BAND, THE YARDBIRDS, SET TO TOUR IN THE NEW YEAR

New York, NY—The Yardbirds, the band that spearheaded the British Blues Boom of the 1960s, the band that brought the world Eric Clapton in 1963, Jeff Beck in 1965 and Jimmy Page in 1966 (who played in the band with Beck for four months), the band that continues to inspire artists worldwide, will tour the Northeast starting February 1 in Buffalo, New York.

The lineup includes critically-acclaimed original drummer/composer Jim McCarty, guitarist Ben King, who has garnered a reputation as one of hottest, most tasteful young guitar players around, bassist David Smale (a much-respected and admired UK-based musician) and vocalist Andy Mitchell, whose sound is straight out of the mid-‘50s Chicago school of blues. Chris Dreja, guitarist and co-founder, is recuperating at home after a recent illness and regrets that he won’t be able to be a part of this short tour. He thanks all his fans for their good wishes and looks forward to seeing them again when he re-joins the band later in the year for a more extensive tour.  

Known as much for their strict allegiance to the blues as for their international chart-topping hit “For Your Love,” The Yardbirds have never lost their drive and jet-propelled beat, due mainly to Mr. McCarty. Their “Train Kept A’ Rollin’” inspired Aerosmith to tackle the same song. Their early forays into heavy rock inspired Page to form his own band, originally named The New Yardbirds, but ultimately named Led Zeppelin.

The Yardbirds, electrifying, eclectic and way ahead of their time, melded heavy rock, wild jams, and an improvisatory feel, and continue to influence generations of bands. Go to a Yardbirds show and you'll find crowds filled with 20-somethings to baby boomers all thrilling to this band's legendary power.  Watching The Yardbirds in action is experiencing rock’n’roll.

Dates & venue information on the 'Gigs' page. 

Russ Garrett (webmaster)

Available from www.note-music.co.uk

Topham claims there was an early, pre-Led Zeppelin I album, under the name of The New Yardbirds:

"It’s a fact that a pre-Zeppelin album exists under the name the New Yardbirds, and includes much of the same as early Zepp. I believe this has never been released."

The idea of Topham being in Led Zeppelin and of an early album is new information in the Led Zeppelin narrative. It is unknown whether, if the album actually exists, it is with the members of Led Zeppelin, a Yardbirds album with some variation of Keith Relf, Chris Dreja and Jim McCarty playing, or a group of musicians previously unknown. What is known, however, is that the last lineup of The Yardbirds performed a number of songs that would find their way onto Led Zeppelin I, so the The Yardbirds recording this material can’t be discounted.

April 16th release date for the final Yardbirds single.

Very limited quantities.

Available only at your local Record Store.

Jimmy Page, Keith Relf, Chris Dreja & Jim McCarty.

Goodnight Sweet Josephine b/w Think About It.