The Yardbirds launched the careers of three of the greatest rock guitarists of the 20th Century - Eric Clapton, Jeff Beck and Jimmy Page.

The band were among the founding fathers of modern hard rock and for four years (1964-68) were among the most innovative British guitar bands on the scene.

By 1968 the band had run its course. Jimmy Page went on to form Led Zeppelin, McCarty, Relf and Samwell Smith formed Renaissance and Chris Dreja switched to his other great passion - photography.

Thankfully for us, however, this was far from being the end. Dreja and McCarty re-formed the band in the 90's, with John Idan and a stunning new album followed - "Birdland".

Here, in an interview recorded on the 26th May, Chris Dreja talks about the band then and now, their latest recruit Ben King, and tells us the most important thing to remember before getting on your scooter...

The Yardbirds UK Discography

Albums
Five Live Yardbirds - Columbia 33SX1677, 1964

The Yardbirds (Roger The Engineer) - Columbia SCX6063, 1966

Yardbirds With Sonny Boy Williamson - Fontanna TL5277, 1967

Yardbirds Reunion Concert - Promised Land PLCD202020, 1992

Birdland - Favoured Nations FN2280-2, 2003

Singles
I Wish You Would/ A Certain Girl - Columbia DB7838 1964

Good Morning Little Schoolgirl/ I Ain't Got You - Columbia DB7391 1964

For Your Love/ Got To Hurry - Columbia DB7499 1965

Heart Full Of Soul/ Steeled Blues - Columbia DB7594 1965

Evil Hearted You/ Still I'm Sad - Columbia DB7706 1965

Shapes Of Things/ You're A Better Man Than I - Columbia DB7848 1966

Over Under Sideways Down/ Jeff's Boogie - Columbia DB7928 1966

Happenings Ten Years Time Ago / Psycho Daisies - Columbia DB8024 1966

Little Games/ Puzzles - Columbia DB8165 1967

Goodnight Sweet Josephine/Think About It - Columbia DB8368, 1968

UK EP's
Five Yardbirds - Columbia SEG8421, 1965
Over Under Sideways Down - Columbia SEG8521, 1966

Special thanks to:

* Chris Dreja
* Tenacity Music PR
* www.theyardbirds.com

* Picture with kind permission