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Born 75 years ago today, the late Keith Relf, of The Yardbirds
Hat tip, http://www.thisdayinrock.com/index.php/general/1943-vocalist-keith-relf-of-the-yardbirds-is-bor/
Keith Relf
William Keith Relf (22 March 1943 – 14 May 1976) was an English musician, best known as the lead vocalist and harmonica player for The Yardbirds.
....
Musical career
Relf started playing in bands around the summer of 1956 as a singer, guitarist, and harmonica player. His blues harp was a key part of the Yardbirds' sound and success, according to many, and his vocals may have been as important a contribution to the band, as that of their three lead guitarists Eric Clapton, Jeff Beck, and Jimmy Page—who were augmented by bassist Paul Samwell-Smith, guitarist/bassist Chris Dreja, and drummer Jim McCarty.
Relf co-wrote many of the original Yardbirds songs ("Shapes of Things", "I Ain't Done Wrong", "Over Under Sideways Down", "Happenings Ten Years Time Ago" ), later showing a leaning towards acoustic/folk music as the sixties unfolded ("Only the Black Rose" ). He also sang an early version of "Dazed and Confused" in live Yardbirds concerts, a song later recorded by the band's successor group Led Zeppelin.
His debut solo single, "Mr. Zero", peaked at No. 50 in the UK Singles Chart in May 1966.
....
Personal life and death
In 1966, he married April Liversidge. They had two sons, Danny and Jason.
Relf was 33 when he died from electrocution, in the basement of his home, while playing his improperly earthed (electrically grounded) guitar. Relf had dealt with several health issues throughout his life, including emphysema and asthma, which may have contributed to his inability to survive the electric shock. At the time, it is said that Relf was in the process of putting back together the original Renaissance line-up – which would eventually be called Illusion. He was buried in Richmond Cemetery.
William Keith Relf (22 March 1943 – 14 May 1976) was an English musician, best known as the lead vocalist and harmonica player for The Yardbirds.
....
Musical career
Relf started playing in bands around the summer of 1956 as a singer, guitarist, and harmonica player. His blues harp was a key part of the Yardbirds' sound and success, according to many, and his vocals may have been as important a contribution to the band, as that of their three lead guitarists Eric Clapton, Jeff Beck, and Jimmy Page—who were augmented by bassist Paul Samwell-Smith, guitarist/bassist Chris Dreja, and drummer Jim McCarty.
Relf co-wrote many of the original Yardbirds songs ("Shapes of Things", "I Ain't Done Wrong", "Over Under Sideways Down", "Happenings Ten Years Time Ago" ), later showing a leaning towards acoustic/folk music as the sixties unfolded ("Only the Black Rose" ). He also sang an early version of "Dazed and Confused" in live Yardbirds concerts, a song later recorded by the band's successor group Led Zeppelin.
His debut solo single, "Mr. Zero", peaked at No. 50 in the UK Singles Chart in May 1966.
....
Personal life and death
In 1966, he married April Liversidge. They had two sons, Danny and Jason.
Relf was 33 when he died from electrocution, in the basement of his home, while playing his improperly earthed (electrically grounded) guitar. Relf had dealt with several health issues throughout his life, including emphysema and asthma, which may have contributed to his inability to survive the electric shock. At the time, it is said that Relf was in the process of putting back together the original Renaissance line-up – which would eventually be called Illusion. He was buried in Richmond Cemetery.
This is pretty much my favorite Yardbirds tune. I was listening to it on Monday, not knowing about the upcoming birthday. This was produced by Mickie Most:
Another goodie:
Speaking of amps with electrical problems, don't miss this. What is this from?
5 replies
= new reply since forum marked as read
= new reply since forum marked as read
I remember the song as "Train Kept a Rollin' " (Aerosmith). 
Really cool to see 'the band' and 'the audience' to get into 'the movie.'
