This would've never worked out. This browser does not support getting your location. Roger Daltrey in The Who was a good harp player and The Kinks Ray Davies played the instrument sometimes. Keith Relf formed Renaissance with his sister Jane Relf and the acoustic duo Together with Jim McCarty following the Yardbirds breakup in July 1968. But The Yardbirds were not an acid band like the Grateful Dead and The Jefferson Airplane. He couldnt embrace that. After the end of the band, Relf created an acoustic duo with also ex-Yardbird Jim McCarty (Drums). Yardbirds "Over, Under, Sideways, Down" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MLv7viCMGo8 Those who saw this lineup in concert were very impressed. Yardbirds "Louise" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NghfjuxvvPnw I contacted Jim McCarty (original Yardbirds' drummer and a founding member of the current lineup of the group) and I asked him about this. MTB: 0021377/MG, Joe Elliott recalls his first encounter with Mtley Cre, Alice Cooper announce new 2023 tour dates, Unreleased Eric Clapton song with B.B King is revealed. After a couple of years, Renaissance dissolved over about three months. Verify and try again. Following the disbandment of the Yardbirds in July 1968, Keith Relf formed the acoustic duo Together with Jim McCarty and founded Renaissance, which featured his sister Jane Relf. Sadly, Relfs cause of death was something more tragic. Jeff and Jimmy sat in on a few songs too. screen.colorDepth:screen.pixelDepth))+';u'+escape(document.URL)+ Resend Activation Email, Please check the I'm not a robot checkbox, If you want to be a Photo Volunteer you must enter a ZIP Code or select your location on the map. Add to your scrapbook. But again, they were Keith's band for sure. I'll try not to be repetitious with things you already know. Relf continues to put out musical effort despite not losing his love for music. Keith, however, wanted to play heavier music, which led him to split fromRenaissance and form Armageddon in 1974. Becoming a Find a Grave member is fast, easy and FREE. William Keith Relf (22 March 1943 - 12 May 1976) was an English musician, best known as the lead vocalist and harmonica player for rock band the Yardbirds. function gtag(){dataLayer.push(arguments);} Rock Music Wiki is a FANDOM Music Community. Family members linked to this person will appear here. It is actually by a group called The Outsiders (NOT the same group as The American garage band The Outsiders). The Yardbirds only did three contracted full album releases between 1964 and 1968. Why not a digital Yardbirds!? Keith Relf, RIP born March 22nd 1943, Richmond, England _____ died May 14th 1976, London, England. We were a happy group and used to get on well socially until we got on stage and Keith lost all enthusiasm. Throughout his career with the Yardbirds, Keith contributed to the band with his harmonica playing, blues harp, and soulful vocals. (function() {var wf = document.createElement('script');wf.src='https://ajax.googleapis.com/ajax/libs/webfont/1/webfont.js';wf.type='text/javascript';wf.async='true';var s=document.getElementsByTagName('script')[0];s.parentNode.insertBefore(wf, s);})(); Unfortunately, Keith could've stepped onto a metal grating or maybe his clothes were a bit damp from rain outdoors. Actually, he did keep busy producing other acts, even if only one of them, Medicine Head (with whom he also played bass for a while), made much of a commercial dent, and then only in the UK. [5], After the Yardbirds broke up in July 1968, Relf formed the acoustic duo Together, with fellow Yardbird Jim McCarty, followed immediately by Renaissance (which also featured his sister Jane Relf). cemeteries found within miles of your location will be saved to your photo volunteer list. The Yardbirds sit down on camera and attentively listen in appreciation as Ravi and his group perform. It was in November of 1964. I bought those repackagings by many of those groups when I was only in grade school and junior high. During the period he was an active musician, Keith Relf struggled with some health issues, such as chronic asthma and emphysema. [11], Relf died in the basement of his home in 1976 at age 33 from electrocution while playing an electric guitar. Relf co-wrote many of The Yardbirds original songs ("Shapes of Things", "I Ain't Done Wrong", "Over Under Sideways Down", "Happening Ten Years Time Ago"), later showing a leaning towards acoustic flavoured folk music as the sixties unfolded ("Only The Black Rose"). . Although the Yardbirds will forever be associated first and foremost with their extraordinary roster of guitarists during their career (Eric Clapton, Jeff Beck, and Jimmy Page), singer Keith Relf was an integral ingredient of the band's sound. He was hospitalized for this three times. Relfs posthumous 1992 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction with the Yardbirds was represented by his widow April, and son Danny. The Yardbirds and Keith had their psychedelic implications in the minds eye of many fans. We will review the memorials and decide if they should be merged. Somehow he liked smokestack. } var oneSignalLinkClickHandler = function(event) { OneSignal.push(['registerForPushNotifications']); event.preventDefault(); }; for(var i = 0; i < oneSignal_elements.length; i++) At the time, Relf was rehearsing new material for the regrouping of the original Renaissance line-up, calledIllusion. oneSignal_options['wordpress'] = true; Zero" b/w "Knowing," his debut single in 1966. Armageddon "Silver Tightrope" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7I6nF5B7cAA He was previously married to April M Liversidge. Although his contributions to the Yardbirds were pivotal, the bands frontman Keith Relf had remained out of the spotlight since the bands split in 1968. There are some artificial percussion tracks, synthesizers and tape loops. Richmond, London Borough of Richmond upon Thames, Greater London, England, Whitton, London Borough of Hounslow, Greater London, England. Keith Relf (Solo)- "All The Falling Angels" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8zHU5NUlm8s He was given Peyote once and later, psilocybin mushrooms once by these friends on the group's tours. Keith was a pretty cool guy. They had been the house band there for some time. Read on as we look at an influential 60s band and learn more about the singer behind their hit songs. Please enter your email and password to sign in. Unfortunately, Relfs cause of death was sad. The Yardbirds cut their teeth on Muddy Waters, Elmore James, Howlin' Wolf, B.B. There was an error deleting this problem. ", The Tragic Death Of The Yardbirds' Keith Relf. He produced Medicine Head and played bass for them. They had two sons, Danny and Jason. The Yardbirds were to be his backing group. This relationship is not possible based on lifespan dates. Armageddon "Lonesome Kinda Feeling" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IgGtDNRtoy4 Through it all, the former Yardbirds frontman struggled with various health problems, including chronic asthma and emphysema, according to Ultimate Classic Rock. They've done 2 CD's and they've played Saturday Night Live. Zero, yet the song only managed to reach position 50 on the UK Singles Chart. And the ballad "I've Been Trying" sounds like the sort of soul music ballad you heard coming out of your car radio on a sultry 1965 afternoon. All three of the new guys have a strong orientation towards Chicago blues. Copyright 2012-2021 Stories People All rights reserved. The musician had several health problems such as emphysema and asthma. Share this memorial using social media sites or email. Later on backstage, Paul Samwellsmith was furious and quit The Yardbirds in disgust. An enraged fan murdered the Beatles John Lennon, Dimebag Darrell was shot on stage by a fan who was angry about Panteras split, and Metallicas iconic bassist Cliff Burton lost his life when the bands tour bus crashed. }); The Yardbirds are known to be one of the first great British rock bands. Unfortunately, there's no Relf harmonica on the album anywhere. . For memorials with more than one photo, additional photos will appear here or on the photos tab. John teamed up with Chris on rhythm guitar, Paul on bass and Jim on drums for The Box of Frogs albums in the 80's. Relf accomplished a lot musically in a very short life, known as the lead singer in The Yardbirds. But just before we split we did a couple of colleges that were really fantastic. Zero" and it actually sounds more rock than country. www .keithrelf .com. Ray Thomas was originally a harp player with The Denny Laine Moody Blues. Lenny Kaye says in the liner notes- "Keith's voice and harp have never sounded better." oneSignal_options['welcomeNotification'] = { }; Relf played with his future Yardbirds bandmate Paul Samwell-Smith in a band named the Metropolitan Blues Quartet. The technical and vocal quality of his singing was right up there with anybody in the business (and he produced many more groups and singers than I have listed here in this article). While practicing guitar in his cellar, he stood on a gas pipe. Drummer Jim McCarty recalls Sonny Boy "took a shine" to The Yardbirds and he enjoyed the guys' playing very much. Gomelsky would sometimes sit down with The Yardbirds and encourage lead guitar feedback, power chords, the use of rhythm and bass guitars as lead instruments, a dominant use of the bass drum and the miking of the drums. 50 in the UK Singles Chart in May 1966. Most of Relf'srecordingswere released under the name of the group he was in at the time. He was electrocuted when he stood on a gas pipe. The Yardbirds offer tight backup and the album is a real treat because it showcases Sonny Boy in the style record collectors are familiar with from his outings on Checker and Trumpet. It's from the Five Live Yardbirds set and Keith Relf is just a freakin' monster on this track with his vocal and harp. They can and sometimes do play all of those old songs but with new touches and flourishes. His last album with the heavy metal band. And there were lots of music TV shows like Shindig, Hullabaloo and Upbeat. When I became a journalist I knew I wanted to write about my passions. window._oneSignalInitOptions = oneSignal_options; His musical efforts were vital in creating the Yardbirds sound. His body was found by his eight-year-old son. He had fitted out the basement of his house as a recording studio and this is where he was found on the floor by his son. Meet 5 of the Worlds Computer Programming Prodigies, 7 of the Best-Performing Cryptocurrencies and their Founders. They lip synched "Over Under Sideways Down" which was their newest hit single at that time. Try again later. The show is themed around the "mideastern/Indian/Asian" guitar sound used by Jeff Beck on the song. Lyrics and songs such as "Shapes of Things" "Mister You're a Better Man Than I" "Over Under Sideways Down" "What Do You Want" "Ever Since The World Began" "Happenings Ten Years Time Ago" "Think About It" And most of these were written by Keith and/or various members of The Yardbirds. That may have contributed to his inability to survive the electric shock. Like "Mr. Learn about how to make the most of a memorial. And the records and CDs survive. Relf was 33 when he died fromelectrocution, at his home, while playing his improperlyearthed(i.e., grounded) guitar. The instrument was ungrounded, and the electrical current caused him to be electrocuted. Since the instrument was ungrounded, the electrical current resulted in a severe shock in his entire body. Paul and Jeff ask a few questions and make a few remarks. Keith Relf was born on 22 March 1943 in Richmond, Surrey, England, UK. (Yardbirds) Received: 5/3/0 Keith Relf did not die in the bathtub. Although Keith usually shook a tambourine or a set of marracas onstage, it is Chris who often goes over finished Yardbirds tracks and adds little percussion diddley-shits. From a purely promotional and box office point of view, Renaissance was due to be a top selling item because Keith, Jim and Jane were in the group. Keith Relfs family kept their grief quiet after his passing. Yet looking back, maybe Chris, Paul and Jim did not want to kick out the jams as kind of a "last chance on the turnpike" Yardbirds. Terry Kath Thus, Relf family wasn't particularly interested in music. Yardbirds "Happenings Ten Years Time Ago" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sX_DpMWXBQo Keith's questions and comments take up more time than Paul and Jeff but you'll want to rewind. He got together with his freinds Jim McCarty (drums) Paul Samwell-Smith (bass) and Anthony "Top" Topham (lead guitar) and they formed a four peice group in 1962. This time out the management and production media manipulators behind Keith and the group hit the note and they get an A+. Perhaps the most interesting of these 45's is his version of Bob Lind's "Mr. I don't think he "produced" their records! That was on March 22nd, 1976. So the guys went on and Keith was "shit faced drunk." Relf started playing in bands around the summer of 1956 as a singer, guitarist, and harmonica player. Relf co-wrote many of The Yardbirds original songs (Shapes of Things, I Aint Done Wrong,Over Under Sideways Down Happening Ten Years Time Ago etc), later showing a leaning towards acoustic flavoured folk music as the sixties unfolded (Only The Black Rose etc). The three albums they did when they were still together were Five Live Yardbirds, The Yardbirds and Little Games. Yardbirds "The Train Kept a Rollin'" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JxseRFOFO-0 Despite suffering from respritory problems his strident blues harp and distinctive lead vocals were a key part of The Yardbirds sound and success, notably his vocal styling which, despite an overall limited range nevertheless could be sincere (For Your Love), sneering (Rack My Mind), heartrendingly poignant (Still Im Sad), assertive (What Do You Want, Smokestack Lightning) or reflective (Turn into Earth, Farewell), Relfs vocals were as important to The Yardbirds sound as their three famed guitarists; Clapton, Beck, and Page, and along with Paul Samwell-Smith, Chris Dreja, and Jim McCarty Relf was the overall central core of the group. As manager of this memorial you can add or update the memorial using the Edit button below. William Keith Relf was born March 22, 1943 in Richmond, Surrey, England. I'm one of many fans of The Yardbirds/Keith Relf's music who feel Keith never quite got his due. "Happenings Ten Years Time Ago" (a U.S. hit in the fall of 1966), "Psycho Daisies" (a strange B-side which crops up here and there) and "Stroll On" (an exciting double lead rehash of the group's earlier "Train Kept A Rollin' used in the Blow Up movie soundtrack and shown being lip synched by the group in the same movie). Keith William Relf (22 March 1943 - 14 May 1976) was a musician best known as the lead singer and harmonica player of The Yardbirds. if (document.readyState === 'complete') { Then he formed the band Renaissance that had his sister Jane Relf in the line-up. Are you sure that you want to delete this memorial? Jane Relf recalls this as the first song Keith learned back in the UK's skiffle days. So the stories about that gig have sparked off rumors -"Paul Samwell-Smith and Keith Relf didn't get along.". Keith sings lead on everything except for "The Nazz Are Blue" which is sung by Jeff Beck and "I Can't Make Your Way" sounds like some kind of overdubbed or double tracked vocal. Who Was The Yardbirds' Singer Keith Relf? Unfortunately, just like Cliff Burton, Relf also passed away due to a tragic accident in 1976. Keith Relf is the voice you hear on hit songs like Heart Full of Soul and For Your Love. . On May 14, 1976, Relf, then only 33 years old, was playing his guitar in his basement when he was fatally electrocuted at that time, he was practicing on an ungrounded guitar while standing on a gas pipe. Yardbirds "I'm A Man" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BF2FWhq2haQ Use Escape keyboard button or the Close button to close the carousel. at him every time he walked into a bar. Fue una de las mayores influencias del blues rock . King, John Lee Hooker, Jimmy Reed, Sonny Boy Williamson, Little Walter, Lightnin' Hopkins, Sonny Terry, Brownie Mcghee. 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