List of the Yardbirds members

The Yardbirds
The Yardbirds, 1966. From left: Jeff Beck, Jimmy Page, Chris Dreja, Keith Relf and Jim McCarty.
Background information
Genres	Blues rock, psychedelic rock, rhythm and blues
Years active	1963–1968, 1992–present

Members	Jim McCarty John Idan Kenny Aaronson Johnny A. Myke Scavone

The membership of the Yardbirds has seen many lineup changes ever since the English rock band formed in the 1960s. The band's original run lasted from 1963 to 1968. There were two very brief reunions in the 1980s until the band reformed fully in 1992.

Members

Current

Jim McCarty

Jim McCarty, drummer (1963-1968, 1992-present)

Active: 1963-1968, 1992-present

Instruments: drums, backing vocals

Studio contributions: all The Yardbirds studio releases

Live contributions: all The Yardbirds live releases

John Idan

John Idan (left), lead vocalist, bassist, rhythm guitarist (1992-2009, 2015-present); Chris Dreja (right), rhythm guitarist, bassist (1963-1968, 1992-2013)

Active: 1992-2009, 2015-present

Instruments: lead vocals, lead/rhythm guitar, bass guitar

Studio contributions: Birdland (2003)

Live contributions: Reunion Jam (1999), Reunion Jam Vol. II (2006), Live at B.B. King Blues Club (2007)

Johnny A.

Johnny A., lead guitarist (2015-present)

Active: 2015-present

Instruments: lead guitar

Studio contributions: none

Live contributions: none

Myke Scavone

Active: 2015-present

Instruments: harmonica, percussion, backing vocals

Studio contributions: none

Live contributions: none^[1]

Kenny Aaronson

Active: 2015, 2016-present

Instruments: bass guitar

Studio contributions: none

Live contributions: none

Former

Chris Dreja

Active: 1963-1968, 1992-2013

Instruments: rhythm guitar, bass guitar, backing vocals

Studio contributions: all The Yardbirds studio releases

Live contributions: all The Yardbirds live releases^[2]

Keith Relf

Active: 1963-1968

Instruments: lead vocals, harmonica, percussion, rhythm guitar

Studio contributions: all The Yardbirds studio releases sans Birdland (2003)

Live contributions: Five Live Yardbirds (1964), Sonny Boy Williamson and the Yardbirds (1965), Live Yardbirds: Featuring Jimmy Page (1971), London 1963 – The First Recordings! (1984), BBC Sessions (1999), Live! Blueswailing July '64 (2003)^[3]

Paul Samwell-Smith

Active: 1963-1966

Instruments: bass guitar, backing vocals

Studio contributions: For Your Love (1965), Having a Rave Up with The Yardbirds (1965), Roger the Engineer (1966)

Live contributions: Five Live Yardbirds (1964), Sonny Boy Williamson and the Yardbirds (1965), London 1963 – The First Recordings! (1984), BBC Sessions (1999), Live! Blueswailing July '64 (2003)^[4]

Anthony "Top" Topham

Active: 1963, 2013-2014

Instruments: lead/rhythm guitar

Studio contributions: none

Live contributions: none^[2]

Eric Clapton

Eric Clapton, lead guitarist (1963-1965)

Active: 1963-1965

Instruments: lead guitar

Studio contributions: For Your Love (1965), Having a Rave Up with The Yardbirds (1965)

Live contributions: Five Live Yardbirds (1964), Sonny Boy Williamson and the Yardbirds (1965), London 1963 – The First Recordings! (2984), Live! Blueswailing July '64 (2003)^[5]

Jeff Beck

Jeff Beck, lead guitarist (1965-1966)

Active: 1965-1966

Instruments: lead guitar

Studio contributions: Having a Rave Up with The Yardbirds (1965), Roger the Engineer (1966), Birdland (2003) [1 song]

Live contributions: BBC Sessions (1999)^[6]

Jimmy Page

Jimmy Page, lead guitarist (1966-1968)

Active: 1966-1968

Instruments: lead guitar, bass guitar

Studio contributions: Little Games (1967)

Live contributions: Live Yardbirds: Featuring Jimmy Page (1971), BBC Sessions (1999)^[7]

Rod Demick

Active: 1992-1993

Instruments: bass guitar, harmonica, backing vocals

Studio contributions: none

Live contributions: Reunion Jam (1999), Reunion Jam Vol. II (2006)^[8]

Laurie Garman

Active: 1994-1996

Instruments: harmonica

Studio contributions: none

Live contributions: none

Ray Majors

Active: 1994-1995

Instruments: lead guitar, backing vocals

Studio contributions: none

Live contributions: none

Gypie Mayo

Active: 1995-2004

Instruments: lead guitar, backing vocals

Studio contributions: Birdland (2003)

Live contributions: none

Alan Glen

Active: 1996–2003, 2008–2009

Instruments: harmonica, percussion

Studio contributions: Birdland (2003)

Live contributions: none

Billy Boy Miskimmin

Active: 2003-2008, 2016

Instruments: harmonica, percussion, backing vocals

Studio contributions: none

Live contributions: Live at B.B. King Blues Club (2007)

Jerry Donahue

Jerry Donahue, lead guitarist (2004-2005)

Active: 2004-2005

Instruments: lead guitar, backing vocals

Studio contributions: none

Live contributions: none

Ben King

Ben King, lead guitarist (2005-2014) [Jim McCarty on left, Chris Dreja on right]

Active: 2005-2014

Instruments: lead guitar, backing vocals

Studio contributions: none

Live contributions: Live at B.B. King Blues Club (2007), Making Tracks (2014)

David Smale

Active: 2009-2014, 2015-2016

Instruments: bass guitar, backing vocals

Studio contributions: none

Live contributions: Making Tracks (2014)

Andy Mitchell

Active: 2009-2014

Instruments: lead vocals, harmonica, percussion, acoustic guitar

Studio contributions: none

Live contributions: Making Tracks (2014)

1963–1968

Original lineup (Late May 1963 – October 1963)	Keith Relf – lead vocals, harmonica Anthony "Top" Topham – lead guitar Chris Dreja – rhythm guitar Paul Samwell-Smith – bass, backing vocals Jim McCarty – drums, backing vocals
Clapton replaces Topham (October 1963 – February 1965)	Keith Relf – lead vocals, harmonica Eric Clapton – lead guitar Chris Dreja – rhythm guitar Paul Samwell-Smith – bass, backing vocals Jim McCarty – drums, backing vocals
Beck replaces Clapton (March 1965 – June 1966)	Keith Relf – lead vocals, harmonica Jeff Beck – lead guitar, backing vocals Chris Dreja – rhythm guitar Paul Samwell-Smith – bass, backing vocals Jim McCarty – drums, backing vocals, percussion
Page replaces Samwell-Smith (June – September 1966)	Keith Relf – lead vocals, harmonica Jeff Beck – lead guitar, rhythm guitar Chris Dreja – rhythm guitar, bass Jimmy Page – bass, lead guitar Jim McCarty – drums, backing vocals, percussion
Beck is fired (November 1966 – July 1968)	Keith Relf – lead vocals, harmonica, rhythm guitar Jimmy Page – lead guitar Chris Dreja – bass Jim McCarty – drums, backing vocals, percussion
New Yardbirds (September – October 1968) become Led Zeppelin *	Jimmy Page – guitar Robert Plant – lead vocals, harmonica John Paul Jones – bass, keyboards John Bonham – drums, percussion

NOTE: Led Zeppelin, while deriving from the final lineup during the original tenure of "The Yardbirds" is considered a completely different group from the "Yardbirds" dominated by Chris Dreja and Jim McCarty. However, this article views Led Zeppelin as a continuation, in sorts, of The Yardbirds, due to their billing as "The New Yardbirds" for a few live dates during all of 1968 to fulfill contractual obligations.

1982–1983

First reunion including original members (1982)	Mark Feltham – lead vocals, harmonica John Knightsbridge – lead guitar, backing vocals Chris Dreja – rhythm guitar Joe Allanson – bass Jim McCarty – drums, vocals
Samwelll-Smith rejoins reformed group (1983)	Mark Feltham – lead vocals, harmonica John Knightsbridge – lead guitar, backing vocals Chris Dreja – rhythm guitar Paul Samwell-Smith – bass Jim McCarty – drums, vocals

1992–present

First lineup of reformed group (1992)	Chris Dreja – guitar Rod Demick – bass, harmonica Jim McCarty – drums, vocals
Idan Joins (1992–1993)	John Idan – lead vocals, lead guitar Chris Dreja – rhythm guitar, backing vocals Rod Demick – bass, harmonica, backing vocals Jim McCarty – drums, backing vocals
Idan replaces Demick, Garman and Majors join (1994–1995)	John Idan – lead vocals, bass Ray Majors – lead guitar, backing vocals Chris Dreja – rhythm guitar, backing vocals Laurie Garman – harmonica Jim McCarty – drums, backing vocals
Mayo replaces Majors (1995–1996)	John Idan – lead vocals, bass Gypie Mayo – lead guitar, backing vocals Chris Dreja – rhythm guitar, backing vocals Laurie Garman – harmonica Jim McCarty – drums, backing vocals
Glen replaces Garman (1996–2003)	John Idan – lead vocals, bass Gypie Mayo – lead guitar, backing vocals Chris Dreja – rhythm guitar, backing vocals Alan Glen – harmonica, percussion Jim McCarty – drums, backing vocals Denny Ball - bass (1998 temporary for Gypie Mayo - John Idan moved over to guitar)
Miskimmin replaces Glen (2003–2004)	John Idan – lead vocals, bass Gypie Mayo – lead guitar, backing vocals Chris Dreja – rhythm guitar, backing vocals Billy Boy Miskimmin – harmonica, percussion Jim McCarty – drums, backing vocals
Donahue replaces Mayo (2004–2005)	John Idan – lead vocals, bass Jerry Donahue – lead guitar Chris Dreja – rhythm guitar, backing vocals Billy Boy Miskimmin – harmonica, percussion Jim McCarty – drums, backing vocals
King replaces Donahue (2005–2008)	John Idan – lead vocals, bass Ben King – lead guitar Chris Dreja – rhythm guitar, backing vocals Billy Boy Miskimmin – harmonica, percussion Jim McCarty – drums, backing vocals
Glen returns to the band (2008–2009)	John Idan – lead vocals, bass Ben King – lead guitar Chris Dreja – rhythm guitar, backing vocals Alan Glen – harmonica, percussion Jim McCarty – drums, backing vocals
Idan and Glen leave the band (2009–2013)	Andy Mitchell- lead vocals, harmonica Ben King – lead guitar Chris Dreja – rhythm guitar, backing vocals David Smale- bass Jim McCarty – drums, backing vocals
Topham replaces Dreja (2013–2014)	Andy Mitchell- lead vocals, harmonica Ben King – lead guitar Anthony "Top" Topham – rhythm guitar, backing vocals David Smale - bass Jim McCarty – drums, backing vocals
McCarty changes the lineup (2015)	John Idan - lead vocals, rhythm guitar Johnny A. – lead guitar Kenny Aaronson – bass Myke Scavone - harmonica, percussion, backing vocals Jim McCarty – drums, backing vocals
Smale returns to the band (2015–2016)	John Idan - lead vocals, rhythm guitar Johnny A. – lead guitar David Smale – bass Myke Scavone - harmonica, percussion, backing vocals Jim McCarty – drums, backing vocals
Aaronson returns to the band (2016–present)	John Idan - lead vocals, rhythm guitar Johnny A. – lead guitar Kenny Aaronson – bass Myke Scavone - harmonica, percussion, backing vocals Jim McCarty – drums, backing vocals

Timeline

References

↑ Wardlaw, Matt. "Jim McCarty Talks About New Yardbirds Lineup and Tour: Exclusive Interview". Ultimate Classic Rock. Retrieved 2016-12-09.
1 2 "Topham Replaces Dreja in Yardbirds". Vintage Guitar Magazine. Retrieved 2016-12-13.
↑ "Keith Relf". keithrelf.com. Retrieved 2016-12-13.
↑ Eder, Bruce. "Paul Samwell-Smith Biography". AllMusic. Retrieved 2016-12-13.
↑ "1965: Eric Clapton leaves the Yardbirds". History.
↑ Erlewine, Stephen. "Jeff Beck Biography". AllMusic. Retrieved 2016-12-13.
↑ Prato, Greg. "Jimmy Page Biography". AllMusic. Retrieved 2016-12-13.
↑ Harris, Craig. "Rod Demick Biography". AllMusic. Retrieved 2016-12-13.

The Yardbirds
Original members (1963–68): Keith Relf Paul Samwell-Smith Chris Dreja Jim McCarty Top Topham Eric Clapton Jeff Beck Jimmy Page Later members (since 1992): John Idan Gypie Mayo Alan Glen Jerry Donahue Ben King Johnny A. Kenny Aaronson Myke Scavone
Albums	For Your Love Having a Rave Up Roger the Engineer Little Games Birdland
Live albums	Five Live Yardbirds Sonny Boy Williamson and the Yardbirds Live Yardbirds! Featuring Jimmy Page BBC Sessions Reunion Jam Live! Blueswailing July '64 Live at B.B. King Blues Club Making Tracks
Compilations	The Yardbirds Greatest Hits Shapes of Things Cumular Limit Ultimate!
Bootlegs	Golden Eggs More Golden Eggs
Singles	"I Wish You Would" "Good Morning Little Schoolgirl" "For Your Love" "Heart Full of Soul" "Evil Hearted You" "I'm a Man" "Shapes of Things" "You're a Better Man Than I "Boom Boom" "Over Under Sideways Down" "Happenings Ten Years Time Ago" "Ten Little Indians"
Other songs	"Let It Rock" "Who Do You Love" "Talkin' 'Bout You" "You Can't Judge a Book by Looking at the Cover" "Too Much Monkey Business" "Smokestack Lightning" "Five Long Years" "The Sky Is Crying" "My Girl Sloopy" "Train Kept A-Rollin'" "Spoonful" "The Stumble" "Dust My Blues" "White Summer" "Stealing Stealing" "Most Likely You Go Your Way (And I'll Go Mine)" "Dazed and Confused" "Knowing That I'm Losing You" "I'm Waiting for the Man"
Related articles	Discography Members Giorgio Gomelsky Simon Napier-Bell Mickie Most Peter Grant Cream The Jeff Beck Group Led Zeppelin Renaissance Box of Frogs
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