Acclaimed Yardbirds co-founder Chris Dreja has passed away at 79. The versatile musician, photographer, and co-writer’s demise was confirmed by former bandmate Jimmy Page and his sister-in-law, who mentioned years of health problems. Dreja, a pivotal figure in the band’s success, played rhythm guitar and later bass. He retired from music in 2012 following a series of strokes.
Chris Dreja, the acclaimed co-founder of the band Yardbirds, passed away at the age of 79. The demise of the master of all trades, including being a musician, photographer, and co-writer, was confirmed by the social media post by his sister-in-law and former bandmate, Jimmy Page. The cause of death is unknown.
Chris Dreja passed away at 79
Jimmy Page wrote a heartfelt note on Facebook, citing his regret for the unfortunate circumstances of not meeting him for the last time. “I heard of the passing of musician Chris Dreja, who passionately played with the iconic Yardbirds, on rhythm guitar and then the bass. I hadn’t seen him in a while, and I wish I had. RIP Chris,” he wrote on October 3, 2025. Meanwhile, Dreja’s sister-in-law, Muriel Levy, posted a note mentioning his demise, saying “after years of health problems… I share the pain with my sister Kate who took care of him during all those years and his daughter Jackie…May he RIP ❤️”
About Chris Dreja
Born in 1945, Christopher Walenty Dreja had the passion for rock and roll since he was a teenager. As his brother was classmates with guitarist Anthony “Top” Topham, it led to the birth of the Yardbirds in 1963, along with singer Keith Relf, bassist Paul Samwell-Smith, and drummer Jim McCarty, according to News18. After Topham left the group, Eric Carlton swiftly replaced with his guitar. Dreja took up as a bassist after Jimmy Page joined in 1966. The period become one of the successful times for the band, with the singles including, ‘I’m a Man,’ ‘Heart Full of Soul,’ ‘Evil Hearted You,’ ‘Still I’m Sad,’ ‘Shapes of Things,’ and ‘Over Under Sideways Down,’ started charting. In 1968, the band disbanded. Moreover, Dreja declined the offer to join Page, and started following his different passion, photography. He returned to music in the 1980s, and played revivals in the following decade.However, after a series of strokes, he retired from music in 2012. Go to Source
