How One British Rock Band Introduced the World to Three Guitar Legends

The Yardbirds formed in London in 1963 and, until their breakup in 1968, experienced a revolving door of band members. The groundbreaking group helped pioneer blues-oriented rock music. And in doing so, The Yardbirds launched the careers of three future guitar legends: Eric Clapton, Jeff Beck, and Jimmy Page.

Though the guitarists often overshadow their former band, songs like “For Your Love”, “Heart Full Of Soul”, and “Shapes Of Things” remain touchstones of 1960s blues and psychedelic rock. “Heart Full Of Soul”, for example, is a precursor to the raga rock later popularized by The Beatles, The Byrds, and others.

For now, let’s look at a trio of iconic guitarists who were once members of The Yardbirds.

Eric Clapton

Original guitarist Anthony “Top” Topham left The Yardbirds to focus on art school. He was replaced by Eric Clapton, who impressed listeners to such a degree that one of them spray-painted “Clapton Is God” onto a London wall. But Clapton left too, in 1965, when The Yardbirds abandoned their blues roots after releasing the hit “For Your Love”. Moving in and out of bands became routine in Clapton’s early career. But what remained was his devotion to the blues.

Jeff Beck

On his way out, Clapton suggested session ace Jimmy Page, but Page declined. So, fellow session guitarist Jeff Beck joined instead. (Page soon followed, initially playing bass.) While Beck’s post-Yardbirds career didn’t reach the same commercial heights as Clapton’s and Page’s, those two would be the first to sing his praises. A mind-blowing virtuoso, Beck’s solo masterpieces include Truth, Blow By Blow, and Wired.

Jimmy Page

“Beck’s Bolero” appears on Beck’s Truth, and though it’s a solo track, it remains a crucial piece of The Yardbirds’ history. Jimmy Page, borrowing from Maurice Ravel’s orchestral work, Boléro, wrote the instrumental, and the session planted seeds for a supergroup Page had envisioned. (The recording features bassist John Paul Jones, keyboardist Nicky Hopkins, and The Who’s drummer, Keith Moon.) Over time, The Yardbirds, under Page’s direction, became heavier but eventually broke up. A new iteration briefly appeared as The New Yardbirds. And these fresh birds included Jones, Robert Plant, and John Bonham. Then they called themselves Led Zeppelin.

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