The Yardbirds

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Jeff Beck perform with Oxblood Gibson Les Paul in 1977
“It's cobbled together, but it has an aura to it.” Jeff Beck's 'Blow by Blow' Oxblood Les Paul is not all that it seems

By Phil Weller Published

It was the star of his most famous album's cover, but the ‘54 Les Paul — like its owner — defies convention

Electric Guitars
Jeff Beck performs at the Molde International Jazz Festival in Molde, Norway on July 22, 2010
“I might have done better in the Bluesbreakers." Jeff Beck said he turned down John Mayall

By Phil Weller Published

The coveted role was offered to him on a plate, but Beck was looking for a different kind of musical identity

Guitarists
The Yardbirds"pose for a portrait in England in 1966. Left to right: Jeff Beck, Jim McCarty, Chris Dreja, Jimmy Page and Keith Relf.
Jimmy Page reflects on the Yardbirds and his short-lived two-guitar tandem with Jeff Beck

By Jackson Maxwell Published

Though the two budding virtuosos had plenty of respect for one another, it perhaps isn't a huge surprise that their respective styles occasionally clashed in the Yardbirds

Guitarists
Jeff Beck (left), the Gibson Custom Shop Jeff Beck Yardburst Les Paul Standard
Gibson's Custom Shop recreates Jeff Beck’s 1959 ‘YardBurst’ Les Paul Standard

By Phil Weller Published

Boasting specs and aesthetics mirroring the original version of Beck’s cherished guitar, only 130 of this premium instrument will be produced

Guitars
(from left) Jim McCarty, Chris Dreja, Jimmy Page, Keith Reif and Jeff Beck, pictured in 1966
Jimmy Page reflects on the Yardbirds, and his short-lived two-guitar tandem with Jeff Beck

By Jackson Maxwell Published

Though the two budding virtuosos had plenty of respect for one another, it perhaps isn't a huge surprise that their respective styles occasionally clashed in the Yardbirds

Music
Jack Bruce (left), Ginger Baker, and Eric Clapton perform live at the Cafe Au Go Go in New York City in October 1967
"I Was 19 When I Left the Yardbirds. I Intended to Give Up Then, but John Mayall Offered Me a Job... I Needed the Bread, and Some Kind of Identity Too': Cream's Eric Clapton and Jack Bruce Discuss Balancing Blues, Jazz, and Volume in 1967 GP Interview

By Guitar Player Staff Published

This classic from the GP archives is a window into rock's pioneering supergroup in their prime, and an intimate look at how they re-wrote the genre's rulebook.

Guitarists
Jimi Hendrix performs in 1967; Jeff Beck pictured with a Gibson Les Paul Standard in 1967.
“He Swept Us All Aside and Put Us in a Bin”: Jeff Beck On Jimi Hendrix

By Barry Cleveland Published

In this fascinating interview extract from the ‘GP’ vault, Beck recalls the impact of Hendrix among his peers

Lessons
The Jeff Beck Group (L-R Rod Stewart, Jeff Beck, Ron Wood and Mickey Waller) pose for a portrait circa 1968.
“I’d Lost My Girl, Hendrix Had Come and Smeared Everybody Across the Floor… It Wasn’t Looking Too Rosy”: In 1968, Jeff Beck Found Success on His Own Terms With His Own Group

By Christopher Scapelliti Published

But life after the Yardbirds would prove infinitely harder

Guitarists
Nels Cline of Wilco performs during the 2017 Newport Folk Festival at Fort Adams State Park on July 29, 2017 in Newport, Rhode Island.
Nels Cline Names Five Life-Changing Riffs

By Jim Beaugez Published

Video From the Byrds to Minutemen, the Wilco guitarist reveals five inspiring guitar tracks that changed his musical life forever

Video
The Yardirds in 1966 (L-R): (L-R) Jeff Beck, Jim McCarty, Chris Dreja, Jimmy Page and Keith Relf.
Jeff Beck’s Top Five Psychedelic Rock Tracks

By Christopher Scapelliti, Guitar Player Staff Published

Choice cuts from the electric guitar innovator’s mid-‘60s Yardbirds era

Music
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