1960's icons The Yardbirds rocking in Springfield

The Yardbirds will be playing the Stearns Square Concert Series, at Worthington and Bridge Street, in Springfield, on Sept. 1 at 7 p.m. This is an all-ages show, and it's brought to you by Springfield Business Improvement District. The Yardbirds is original members: rhythm guitarist Chris Dreja and drummer Jim McCarty, and a new generation of musicians: singer/acoustic guitarist/harpist Andy Mitchell (since 2009), bassist David Smale (since 2009), and lead guitarist Ben King (since 2005). Chris Dreja will also be making available his historical photo art for merchandise for the tour, including shots of Led Zeppelin. His historical halo Jimmy Page photograph (seen on the back cover of Led Zeppelin I) is autographed by both Jimmy and Chris, who will sell the art privately. The Yardbirds innovated 1960s guitar, with fuzz tone, feedback, distortion, backwards echo, improved amplification... and using a bow to play guitar. The group paved the way for the careers of Eric Clapton (1963-'65) Jeff Beck ('65-'66), and Jimmy Page (66-'68, first as bassist, then guitarist when Beck left). The group drew some of its repertoire from the blues acts of the day, including Elmore James, Howlin' Wolf, and Bo Diddley, and the Yardbirds hits were some of the best songs of the British Invasion: "For Your Love," "Heart Full of Soul," "Shapes of Things," "I'm A Man," and "Over Under Sideways Down," "Train Kept A- Rolling," "Dazed and Confused." "I'm A Man," and "Over Under Sideways Down," and "Better Man Than I." The Yardbirds were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1992. Soon after the induction, Jim and Chris reformed the Yardbirds, first playing at London's Marquee club, on a bill with the newly reformed Animals. In 2003, Steve Vai's Favored Nations label released their album "Birdland." In 2005 guitarist Ben King joined the group. The Yardbirds has continued to tour. An institution in popular music, blues, rock and roll, the group made an indelible mark on the music and culture of both the 1960s and future generations. To find out more information about this show, please call (413) 781-1591, or visit the Webg site: www.springfieldcityhall.com/park. -Courtesy of Springfield BID