Remembering Chris Dreja: A Tribute to the Iconic Musician and Photographer
The music world mourns the loss of Chris Dreja, a talented musician and photographer known for his work with The Yardbirds. Dreja, who played bass and rhythm guitar in the iconic band, passed away at the age of 79. Jimmy Page, a fellow musician and former bandmate, paid tribute to Dreja on social media, expressing his sadness at the news.
Dreja's sister-in-law, Muriel Levy, was the first to announce his passing online, sharing the news with a heavy heart. Dreja was a founding member of The Yardbirds, joining the band in 1963 and playing alongside Jimmy Page until the group disbanded in 1968. Despite rumors that Page tried to recruit Dreja for Led Zeppelin, Dreja clarified in a 2010 interview that he was never asked and praised John Paul Jones as the best bass player in Europe at the time.
In addition to his musical contributions, Dreja was also a talented photographer. He captured iconic images of Led Zeppelin during their early years, including a photo used on the back cover of their debut album. Dreja's photography skills were further showcased when he collaborated with Page on the Yardbirds reunion project Box of Frogs in the 1980s. The duo later worked with Jim McCarty to release the live album Yardbirds '68 in November 2017, a project they deemed of great historical importance.
Chris Dreja's legacy as a musician and photographer will be remembered by fans and colleagues alike. His passion for music and photography left a lasting impact on the industry, and his contributions to The Yardbirds and beyond will continue to be celebrated for years to come. Rest in peace, Chris Dreja.