Latest news with #TheYardbirds
Yahoo
24-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Guitar Legend, 80, Stuns Fans by Stepping Out of Character at Recent Concert
Eric Clapton is a lot of things. The classic rock icon began his career in the spotlight as the guitarist for The Yardbirds, before changing hands in other bands for a while. This all led him to Cream, where he really came into his own with iconic songs like "Sunshine of Your Love," and "White Room." Moving on from Cream, he joined the supergroup Blind Faith, releasing one album with the band, and later going on to form the band that spawned his most famous song, Derek and the Dominos. Through several legendary bands, a lengthy solo career, and plenty of iconic songs, Clapton made a name for himself as a member of the guitar pantheon. He's become known for his bluesy style, his eighteen Grammy wins, and his onstage presence. However, Clapton isn't exactly known for acknowledging his crowds, never doing more than saying "thank you." That's what makes this video from a recent show quite the surprise. Fans were stunned to see Clapton acknowledging the crowd like this. They left their reactions in the comments. "Never once seen him point or say anything much more than "THANK YOU!" "I was there to the left of the stage, first time seeing Eric live, he was absolutely fantastic. Eric Clapton is god. 🔥" "He looks and sounds amazing.❤️" Maybe we'll be seeing a more interactive side of Clapton in future performances. Seems like everybody in attendance was having a good time.🎬SIGN UP for Parade's Daily newsletter to get the latest pop culture news & celebrity interviews delivered right to your inbox🎬 Guitar Legend, 80, Stuns Fans by Stepping Out of Character at Recent Concert first appeared on Parade on May 23, 2025
Daily Record
30-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Record
Led Zeppelin fans surprised to discover origins behind band name
Long before Led Zeppelin became music legends, they were simply a band on the hunt for the perfect name. And fans have been shocked to discover the roots of the group's iconic title. The journey towards the band's name began with guitarist Jimmy Page. Back in 1966, Jimmy stepped into a group called The Yardbirds as a replacement for bassist Paul Samwell-Smith, but it wasn't long before he took the role of lead guitarist. After many changes to the group's line-up, Jimmy was the last man standing when The Yardbirds disbanded in 1968. Obliged to play out the remaining gigs, he decided to get a new band together. Jimmy first brought in vocalist Robert Plant, who then recommended drummer John Bonham. Bassist and keyboardist John Paul Jones was the last to get on board, after learning of the opportunity from his wife, who'd spotted it in the newspaper, reports the Mirror US. They hit the road in Scandinavia as The New Yardbirds, oblivious to the trouble this name would drop them into. Chris Dreja, an ex-Yardbirds member, sent a cease-and-desist their way, insisting the old name was only meant for the concluding tour dates of the original band. A new moniker for the band was required, and they needed it quick. And their now legendary name would come from a conversation occurred years prior. Jimmy had once mused about starting a supergroup with Jeff Beck, Keith Moon, and John Entwistle. Jimmy recalls during those chats, Keith quipped such a band would "go down like a lead balloon". In a chat with the Academy of Achievement back in 2017, Jimmy said: "It was a name that Keith Moon had mentioned back then. He was talking, 'Wouldn't it be fun to have a band called Led Zeppelin?' And I asked him if we could use the name because I was gonna be in this band Led Zeppelin with Keith Moon, so was Jeff Beck." As he was brainstorming names for his new band in 1968, Jimmy remembered that previous suggestion. However, rather than going with 'lead balloon', they aimed for something more imposing. The spelling of 'lead' was tweaked to avoid mispronunciation by American fans as 'leed', and 'balloon' was switched out for 'zeppelin'. Before making their debut as Led Zeppelin, the group took a cautious step. During the recording sessions of their inaugural album in late 1968, tapes were labelled 'New Yardbirds' to maintain secrecy about the group's new name. Jimmy said: "Even on the first recordings, it said 'New Yardbirds' on the box because I didn't want anybody to know what the name of the band was until we really officially unveiled it." By the end of 1968, the band emerged into the music world as Led Zeppelin. Just months later, their first self-titled album hit the record stores, and Led Zeppelin's ground-breaking merge of blues, rock and state-of-the-art production took 1969 by storm. But the true story remains a bit of a mystery. Some have said John Entwistle coined the term "lead balloon" rather than Keith Moon, while others reckon it was Chris Dreja's legal warning that really sparked the change. Yet, it's Jimmy Page's account that often hits the headlines, as he unwaveringly attributes the inspiration to Keith Moon – a story the legendary guitarist supports to this day.
Irish Daily Mirror
30-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Daily Mirror
Led Zeppelin got their name from a rock legend from another iconic band
Before they became rock icons and cemented their status in music history, Led Zeppelin were just four musicians searching for a band name. The story begins with Jimmy Page. Back in 1966, he stepped into The Yardbirds as a replacement for bassist Paul Samwell-Smith, swiftly transitioning to lead guitar duties. However, after some turbulent line-up changes Jimmy found himself the sole remaining member as The Yardbirds disbanded by 1968. Obliged to perform some remaining gigs, he quickly got to work putting together a fresh group. He first brought on board vocalist Robert Plant, who then recommended drummer John Bonham. John Paul Jones, adept at bass and keys, completed the quartet after learning about the project from his wife, who'd spotted an ad in a newspaper, reports the Mirror US. They briefly toured Scandinavia using the moniker 'The New Yardbirds' to meet previous obligations - however, the usage of that title was short-lived. Former Yardbirds mate Chris Dreja apparently served up a cease-and-desist notice, saying the original name was sanctioned solely for finishing up the tour dates. A swiftly needed alternative name would come from an unlikely anecdote. Jimmy had once considered forming a 'supergroup' with Jeff Beck, Keith Moon, and John Entwistle. During discussions, Jimmy remembered, legendary drummer Keith joked such a band would "go down like a lead balloon". In a chat with the Academy of Achievement in 2017, Jimmy said: "It was a name that Keith Moon had mentioned back then. He was talking, 'Wouldn't it be fun to have a band called Led Zeppelin?' And I asked him if we could use the name because I was gonna be in this band Led Zeppelin with Keith Moon, so was Jeff Beck." When the time came to christen his new band in 1968, Jimmy recalled the earlier conversation. Dropping the 'a' from 'lead' to avoid mispronunciation by American fans as 'leed', and swapping 'balloon' for 'zeppelin', Led Zeppelin was born. Before fully committing to their legendary identity, Led Zeppelin took a discreet intermediate step. As they laid down tracks for their debut album in late 1968, they covertly labelled the tapes 'New Yardbirds' to conceal their actual name for a little while longer. Jimmy said: "Even on the first recordings, it said 'New Yardbirds' on the box because I didn't want anybody to know what the name of the band was until we really officially unveiled it." By the end of 1968, they emerged triumphantly as Led Zeppelin. Just months later, their seminal first album hit record store shelves, with the 1969 record astonishing listeners with its fusion of blues, hard rock, and cutting-edge production techniques. Clearly, the tale of how the iconic name came about has its variations. There are some who insist it was John Entwistle, not Keith Moon, who made the "lead balloon" remark, while another camp credits Chris Dreja's legal warning as the true impetus for the switch. Nevertheless, Jimmy Page has always attributed the inspiration for the band's name to Keith Moon — and that's the account the legendary guitarist firmly upholds.
Daily Mirror
30-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Led Zeppelin fans only just realising where iconic band name came from
Before they were Led Zeppelin, they were The New Yardbirds - but things took a disastrous turn when a former bandmate threatened to sue, forcing the four musicians to think of a new name Before Led Zeppelin soared to rock immortality, they were simply four musicians on the hunt for the perfect band name. The journey began with guitarist Jimmy Page. Back in 1966, Jimmy stepped into The Yardbirds as a replacement for bassist Paul Samwell-Smith, but he soon took over lead guitar duties. Following a whirlwind of line-up changes, Jimmy was the last man standing when The Yardbirds disbanded in 1968. Obliged to play out the remaining gigs, he set about putting together a new band. He first brought on board vocalist Robert Plant, who then recommended drummer John Bonham. Bassist and keyboardist John Paul Jones was the final piece of the puzzle, having learnt of the opportunity from his wife, who'd spotted it in the newspaper, reports the Mirror US. They hit the road in Scandinavia as The New Yardbirds to honour those commitments, but that moniker was destined for trouble. Chris Dreja, an ex-Yardbirds member, sent a cease-and-desist their way, insisting the old name was only meant for the concluding tour dates. A fresh identity was urgently required, and it would come from a conversation years prior. Jimmy had once mused about starting a supergroup with Jeff Beck, Keith Moon, and John Entwistle. Jimmy recalls that during those chats, Keith quipped that such a band would "go down like a lead balloon". In a chat with the Academy of Achievement back in 2017, Jimmy said: "It was a name that Keith Moon had mentioned back then. He was talking, 'Wouldn't it be fun to have a band called Led Zeppelin?' And I asked him if we could use the name because I was gonna be in this band Led Zeppelin with Keith Moon, so was Jeff Beck." As he was brainstorming names for his new band in 1968, Jimmy remembered that previous suggestion. However, rather than going with 'lead balloon', they aimed for something more imposing. The spelling of 'lead' was tweaked to avoid mispronunciation by American fans as 'leed', and 'balloon' was switched out for 'zeppelin'. Before making their debut as Led Zeppelin, the group took a cautious step. During the recording sessions of their inaugural album in late 1968, tapes were labelled 'New Yardbirds' to maintain secrecy about their actual moniker. Jimmy said: "Even on the first recordings, it said 'New Yardbirds' on the box because I didn't want anybody to know what the name of the band was until we really officially unveiled it." By the end of 1968, the band made its emergence into the music world as Led Zeppelin. Merely months after that, their first self-titled album graced the record stores, and Led Zeppelin's groundbreaking merge of blues, rock and state-of-the-art production took 1969 by storm. But the true story remains a bit of a mystery. Some have said John Entwistle coined the term "lead balloon" rather than Keith Moon, while others reckon it was Chris Dreja's legal warning that really sparked the change. Yet, it's Jimmy Page's account that often hits the headlines, as he unwaveringly attributes the inspiration to Keith Moon – a story the legendary guitarist staunchly supports to this day.
Forbes
17-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Forbes
Yardbirds Dazzle With Music, Drummer Jim McCarty's Tales From The Past
Jim McCarty (drums) and the rest of The Yardbirds at Rams Head On Stage, Annapolis, Maryland, April 15, 2025. Art Harman Any time you get a chance to see The Yardbirds, it's a treat. The seminal band from the 1960s, although it has only one original member, drummer Jim McCarty, has support musicians so good you'll think it's the original lineup. Their renditions of 'Heart Full Of Soul,' 'Shapes Of Things,' 'I'm A Man,' and their other hits are top-notch. Over the years, I've seen The Yardbirds in various iterations. But what's different on this tour is that McCarty talks to the audience between songs about the history of the group - and its place in history. The Yardbirds were inducted into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame in 1992 for a reason. Many music critics say they invented the 'psychedelic blues' era. After all, Eric Clapton left the band to form Cream, and Jimmy Page left later to form Led Zeppelin (yes both guitarists were in The Yardbirds at various times). And Jeff Beck - he needs no explanation - was a staple in The Yardbirds for years. McCarty's stories about these three guitar virtuosos, plus other early-band tidbits, are rare, amusing and enlightening. Following are edited excerpts from some of McCarty's musings at Rams Head On Stage in Annapolis, Maryland, this past week. The Yardbirds in 1965. (L-R) Jeff Beck (holding a Fender Jaguar guitar), Paul Samwell-Smith, Keith Relf, Chris Dreja, Jim McCarty. (Photo by Michael) getty On Eric Clapton Joining/Leaving: 'Eric showed up at rehearsal a bit cocky, sort of a showoff, had the latest Ivy League crewcut, and his clothes were smart. At first, I didn't really like him. I thought, "He's a bit of a bighead, this guy." After awhile, when we got to know each other, it turned out he was a good lad, so we went with him [as replacement guitarist for Top Topham, who had left to pursue art]. 'We used to go see The Rolling Stones at the nearby Crawdaddy Club. They were very popular playing blues music - Chuck Berry, Muddy Waters, Howlin' Wolf. We'd never heard stuff like that. In England, it wasn't on the radio, and you could only buy it in a few record shops in London. They had that Beatles song "I Wanna Be Your Man," which turned out to be a hit, so they went on [to bigger things] and we became the house band at Crawdaddy. 'But we didn't have a hit. We were looking for a bluesy tune, and nothing seemed to work. Then we came upon a demo song called "For Your Love," written by this young kid, Graham Gouldman. It was different, moody and in a minor key. We added a harpsichord, unusual at the time, and released it. 'When it became a hit, Eric got unhappy, felt we were selling out as a pop band. At shows, he'd sit in the corner, sulking. When he decided to leave, I was a bit relieved. It was really stressful with him in the group at that point.' On Jeff Beck Joining: "So we needed a guitarist, and asked Jimmy Page, a well-known session guy on lots of people's records - Petula Clark, Gene Pitney. He was getting good money then, and said no. But he suggested his understudy, Jeff Beck [laughter]. We'd never heard of him, so we had him come for an audition. "Jeff was totally different from Eric. He didn't care what he looked like, didn't bother about his clothes. And he had greasy hands, and long greasy hair. He'd been working on his car or something. He had to go get his hair cut and such [laughs]. But he was a great player, did imaginative things that were really out there with all of his electronic gizmos like fuzz boxes. When he joined, we worked well together. He gave the band that way-out, psychedelic thing. Eighty percent of that was Jeff." Jeff Beck and Jimmy Page in the press room during the 24th Annual Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony at Public Hall, April 4, 2009, Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Jason Kempin/WireImage) WireImage On Jeff Beck Leaving: 'During a tour in America [in the latter stages of the band], Jeff got mad as he didn't really approve of it. After a show one night in Corpus Christi, Texas, he was really stressed out, lost his temper completely and smashed his Les Paul to bits, then left to be with his girlfriend in California. It was sort of a "Spinal Tap' moment. We were stuck in the middle of Texas on this horrific tour [laughs]. But we carried on, and Jimmy Page [who had finally joined the band when bassist Paul Samwell-Smith left] moved to lead guitar. We got to the end of the tour, did pretty well actually. 'When we went back to England, there was a meeting where we sacked Jeff. He had something to say about it at the [Rock And Roll] Hall of Fame ceremony 26 years later [laughs]. During those 26 years, I'd go to parties with him, and we had lots of laughs, but he never said anything about [losing his job]. Jeff was the sort of guy who kept it inside, and expressed himself in his wonderful guitar playing. We went on as a foursome, but without Jeff and Paul it was hard because they had been very creative.' As you can see, the recollections of McCarty are priceless. And these are only a small snippets of what he said. Fascinating, too, is how the group morphed into Led Zeppelin with Page after having originally been called The New Yardbirds. Go see these guys. They are on tour now in the U.S. You won't be disappointed, and you'll learn a lot about music history from McCarty.
