By Inga Parkel
Copyright independent
Chris Dreja, co-founder and guitarist of the legendary band The Yardbirds, has died at the age of 79.
His death was confirmed by his sister-in-law, Muriel Levy, who stated he passed away ‘after years of health problems’.
Dreja co-founded The Yardbirds in 1963, initially playing rhythm guitar before switching to bass in 1966.
After the band’s initial split in 1968, Dreja declined an offer to join Led Zeppelin, opting instead for a career in photography.
He reassembled The Yardbirds in 1992, remaining active until 2013 when he retired due to a series of strokes.
