Co-founder of the Yardbirds, Jim McCarty, continues to lead this ground-breaking British Invasion Rock band that provides the crucial link between the blues, British R&B, psychedelic rock, and heavy metal, while pioneering the use of innovations like fuzztone, feedback and distortion. This drummer, singer, songwriter, and producer is said to be one of the driving forces responsible for the band's haunting sound.
Since the birth of the band from 1963 to 1968, to its 1992 induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, the Yardbirds have been revered for the legendary guitarists who have contributed to the band's history including Eric Clapton, Jeff Beck, and Jimmy Page all ranked in Rolling Stone magazine's list of the 100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time (#35, #5, and #3 respectively).
Originally a blues-based band noted for their signature "rave-up" instrumental jams covering blues classics like Howlin Wolf's "Smokestack Lighting" and Bo Diddley's "I'm a Man," the Yardbirds later broadened their range into pop, pioneered psychadelic rock, early hard rock / heavy metal, and contributed to many electric guitar innovations marking those musical genres. The band had a string of hits in the mid 60s including "For Your Love", "Heart Full of Soul", "Shapes of Things", and "Over Under Sideways Down".
Celebrating his 30th year as a Yardbird, lead singer John Idan has lent his distinct vocals to the sound of the band since their reformation, showcased on the classic 2003 Birdland album with guest appearances from Joe Satriani, Steve Vai, Slash, and Brian May. Rounding out the current line-up of top musicians is lead guitarist Godfrey Townsend (John Entwistle, Alan Parsons, Todd Rundgren, Ann Wilson of Heart, Christopher Cross, Dave Mason and Musical Director of the Turtles' Happy Together Tour) bassist Kenny Aaronson (Bob Dylan, Billy Idol, Rick Derringer, Brian Setzer, Dave Edmonds and Joan Jett), percussionist, harmonica and background vocals Myke Scavone (the Doughboys, Ram Jam), The current band has recently completed work on an upcoming live album, Mind the Gap, soon to be released.
"The band's hallmark of top-notch musicianship remains. There are no passengers in this band." - Goldmine Magazine
This was a most excellent experience. Jim McCarty telling the audience about the history of the Yardbirds musical group was priceless. And they really rocked the house!
Great music from my youth. You could tell they have been together for a long time as they were tight. Would love to see them again!
The band was really tight and you could just tell they wanted to sound good. They seemed to like the unusual venue layout of the iconic Ludlow Garage. The biographical story of the Yardbirds told by Jim McCarty, founding drummer, really added allot to the show. Close your eyes and the songs sound like album cuts. Overall, a great experience. A shout out to Godfrey Townsend as well. Playing the licks of Robert Plant, Jeff Beck, and Eric Clapton is no small feat. But he is a masterful player, arranger and musical director. The background video clips and graphics were excellent as well. Worth every penny.
Jim told stories about the History of The Yardbirds AND the musicians played the tunes just like in the sixties! Great Sounds!
This was a great show! The band was tight and every song was incredible.The lead singer said “ let’s wake them up” ! Rock and roll they did!!!! It was phenomenal, I am so glad I got to see them , and hear some of their story…all I can say is “Go hear them”!!!!!!don’t wait , come tomorrow???
One of the best shows I have seen. The Yardbirds really are amazing and great musicians. WOW! I was blown away by the music...... Hope they tour again, would be first in line for tickets......
Enjoyed listening to the music and the narrative done by Jim McCarty. The history of the group and how it transitioned from the different musicians was extremely interesting. I also liked the video of how they appeared back in the day as they played their songs.
They were good but talked too much. It got a little boring at times.
the tralf is the only place to see a band in a intimate setting . perfect sound , great food, good people the band was beyond anything I thought . a walk back to the sixties
They were all good musicians but as a band they were just ok. Way too loud but that's on your sound people.