The Yardbirds
Latest about The Yardbirds

Jeff Beck believed Eric Clapton was jealous of his success. Then Clapton paid him the ultimate compliment
By Phil Weller Published
Beck saw evidence of rivalry stretching back to the Yardbirds and his Stevie Wonder collaborations. But a remark Clapton made late in Beck’s career changed his perspective

Jim McCarty recalls Eric Clapton’s “quite unhappy” time with the Yardbirds
By Gary Graff Published
The Yardbirds drummer tells GP Clapton thought the group was selling out when it chose to record “For Your Love.” It turned out to be their first hit

Jeff Beck on frustration, Fender Esquires and the limits of destruction
By Elizabeth Swann Last updated
The Yardbirds guitarist said his battered 1954 Fender could survive almost anything — even his own attempts to smash it.

Yardbirds drummer Jim McCarty on the other reason Eric Clapton left the group to join John Mayall and the Bluesbreakers
By Phil Weller Published
Clapton has long since been credited with departing the band over musical differences, but his former bandmate has added a fresh twist to the tale

Jeff Beck and Jimmy Page disagreed about who composed the world’s “first heavy metal riff”
By Phil Weller Published
Read one of Guitar Player's top stories of 2025

Jim McCarty on Jeff Beck’s and Jimmy Page’s “stressed out” time in the Yardbirds
By Gary Graff Published
The Yardbirds drummer reveals the highs and lows of the group’s most successful era

Jeff Beck and Jimmy Page never agreed on which of them composed the song Beck called “the first heavy metal riff ever written"
By Phil Weller Published
The tune's 1966 recording session would lead to the formation of Led Zeppelin two years later

Lenny Kravitz guitarist Craig Ross just played Jeff Beck’s ‘59 Yardburst Les Paul for a full tour
By Phil Weller Last updated
Matt’s Guitar shop bought the guitar for earlier this year, and now it wants to keep its legacy alive by lending it to the best guitarists in the business
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