Jimmy Page pays tribute to Yardbirds member

Jimmy Page and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame have offered tributes to Yardbirds' co-founder Chris Dreja, who died yesterday, aged 79.

The musician, photographer and Rock and Roll Hall of Fame member's death was confirmed by his sister-in-law Muriel Levy.

“It is with a deep sadness that I have to announce that my brother-in-law Chris Dreja, former member of legendary band The Yardbirds, rhythm guitarist and also bass player has passed away after years of health problems," she said on Threads.

“I share the pain with my sister Kate who took care of him during all those years and his daughter Jackie… May he RIP.”

Led Zeppelin guitarist and Dreja’s former Yardbirds bandmate Page commented on the news via an Instagram post.

“I heard today of the passing of musician Chris Dreja, who passionately played with the iconic Yardbirds, on rhythm guitar and then the bass," he said.

“I hadn’t seen him in a while, and I wish I had. RIP Chris.”

 

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The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, which Dreja and his bandmates were inducted to in 1992, paid tribute to the artist with a series of X posts.

"Yardbirds’ innovations in feedback and distortion shaped such diverse genres as psychedelic rock, progressive rock, and punk," read one of the posts.

"Dreja co-wrote all the material, including the revolutionary hit 'Over Under Sideways Down,' on their self-titled 1966 album and several songs on 1967’s Little Games. His playing was an essential component of the Yardbirds’ hits like 'For Your Love' and 'Shapes of Things'."

In Memoriam (1/3): Short-lived but highly influential, 1992 Inductees, the Yardbirds’ innovations in feedback and distortion shaped such diverse genres as psychedelic rock, progressive rock, and punk. Founding member Chris Dreja was initially the band’s rhythm guitarist... pic.twitter.com/dQvf1Z41Cd

— Rock & Roll Hall of Fame (@rockhall) October 2, 2025