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Legendary English musician and photographer Chris Dreja has died. His death was confirmed by his sister-in-law, Muriel Levy, on Threads and by former bandmate Jimmy Page on Instagram. Dreja, the co-founder of British rock band the Yardbirds, would have turned eighty on November 11, 2025.
Muriel announced on her socials:
“This is with a deep sadness that I have to announce that my brother-in-law Chris Dreja, former member of legendary band The Yardbirds, rhythm guitarist and also bass player, has passed away after years of health problems... I share the pain with my sister Kate, who took care of him during all those years, and his daughter Jackie... May he RIP.”
Jimmy Page, one of the three famous guitarists of The Yardbirds, penned an emotional tribute on Instagram.
“I heard today of the passing of musician Chris Dreja, who passionately played with the iconic Yardbirds, on rhythm guitar and then the bass.”
He regretted not seeing his late friend before his death.
“I hadn't seen him in a while, and I wish I had. RIP Chris. Here's Glimpses by The Yardbirds featuring Chris Dreja on bass,” he concluded the tribute.
The date of Dreja’s passing wasn't announced. However, it is reported that he passed away in September 2025 after battling an illness.
Who was Chris Dreja?
Chris Dreja was English rock royalty. He, along with Keith Relf, Anthony "Top" Topham, Paul Samwell-Smith, and Jim McCarty, co-founded The Yardbirds, a pioneer of British rock.
Chris and his bandmates were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1992. He left the band in 2012. Two years after his retirement, former bandmate Jim McCarty shared an update about Dreja:
“Well, he’s OK, he’s sort of surviving. He can get around and survive in a quiet way, but he really can’t play anymore.”
Dreja suffered from a series of strokes in 2012 and 2013. After retiring from music, Chris ventured into photography. He photographed celebrities like Bob Dylan, Andy Warhol, the Righteous Brothers, and Ike and Tina Turner.
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