Valuable Historic Art of The 1960s Rock Elite by Acclaimed Musician/Acclaimed Photographer At ZepFest, 2011Chris Dreja will be presenting and selling his art--historical photographs from London in the 1960s-- at the ZepFest, May 27, 28, and 29, at the National Harbor, on the Potomac River, at Waterfront Street and St. George Blvd., in Prince George’s County, MD. There are a variety of tickets and pricing plans available for the Fest, including one-day events and VIP get-togethers. The full Fest is $325.00, and tickets are available at http://www.missiontix.com/events/product/10641 or http://zepfest2011.eventbrite.com/ . For more information, please e-mail info@zepfest.com and visit the web site, http://ZepFest.com or http://ZepFest2011.com.
Dreja's classic historical art focuses on legendary portraits of Led Zeppelin guitarist Jimmy Page, including the back portrait from Led Zeppelin 1. One photograph, featuring Jimmy, has been autographed by both Chris and Jimmy for the event. Dreja will privately sell this at the Fest, and make others available in a special section of the Festival's Merchandise Table.
Dreja has been the Yardbirds rhythm guitrist since the group formed in 1963. He was also always a talented photographer, chronicling London and theYardbirds' experience in the 1960s. After the group broke up in 1968, Jimmy Page offered him the position of bassist in a new band he was forming (later to become Led Zeppelin). Dreja declined in order to pursue a profession in photography. Only occasionally did he took breaks to play in Box of Frogs in the 1980s and the Yardbirds since 1992. in addition to being a member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Chris has received acclaim and an award from the UK's Designers and Art Directors Association.
A sampling of Chris Dreja's photography can be seen on his web site, http://www.chrisdreja.com.
The ZepFest features over 50 bands on five stages. It’s also a completely Green festival. ZepFest CEO and Festival Director Mark Boudreau says the Fest will include, “Descendants, disciples and influences.” There’ll be blues artists the Night Hawks and Willie Big Eyes Smith, contemporaries Vanilla Fudge, and fans Dread Zeppelin, tribute bands. The late Pinetop Perkins was scheduled to perform, and the entire ZepFest will be dedicated to him.
Other Yardbirds’ members will be on hand throughout the day to connect with fans. The band’s tour manager, Henry “The Horse” Smith, an original Led Zeppelin roadie, will share stories. Jim McCarty will be giving a Q&A Session.
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).
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 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 with the newly reformed Animals.
In 2003, Steve Vai’s Favored Nations label released their album BIRDLAND, an album of new songs that featured guest appearances from Vai, Joe Satriani, Steve Vai, Slash, Brian May, Steve Lukather, Jeff “Skunk” Baxter, and John Rzeznik. In 2005 guitarist Ben King joined the group, who recorded LIVE AT B.B. KING BLUES CLUB on July 19, 2006. That came out in 2007, included a version of “I’m a Man” that played on the Simpsons that year.
The Yardbirds has continue 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.
