The Yardbirds On Tour This March

Rock and Roll Hall of Famers The Yardbirds will be touring this March.

March 14: The Tin Pan, Richmond, VA

March 16: Ram's Head On Stage, Annapolis, MD

March 21: Narrows Center for the Arts, Fall River, MA

March 22: Boulton Center for the Arts, Bay Shore, NY

March 26 & 27: Flower Power Cruise

The Yardbirds’ co-founder 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 Psychedelic 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-1960s including "For Your Love," "Heart Full of Soul," "Shapes of Things," and "Over Under Sideways Down." 

Celebrating his 30^th 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

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Pioneering British Blues-Rock Band, The Yardbirds, October 2019

October 10 in Rockville, MD and October 13 in Riverhead, NY

The Yardbirds, the band that spearheaded the British Blues Boom of the 1960s, the band that brought the world Eric Clapton in 1963, Jeff Beck in 1965 and Jimmy Page in 1966 (who played in the band with Beck for four months), the band that continues to inspire artists worldwide, will perform two dates in October starting October 10 in Rockville, MD.

The current  lineup includes critically-acclaimed original drummer/composer Jim McCarty, lead vocalist/rhythm guitarist John Idan, whose tenure with the band began in 1992, bassist Kenny Aaronson, who’s lent his considerable talents to Billy Idol, Joan Jett and Hall and Oates over the years, lead guitarist Godfrey Townsend, an amazing player who has performed with numerous rock luminaries including John Entwistle and Jack Bruce and Myke Scavone, ( who is also lead singer in The Doughboys) on harp, percussion and backing vocals.

Known as much for their strict allegiance to the blues as for their international chart-topping hit “For Your Love,” The Yardbirds have never lost their drive and jet-propelled beat, due mainly to Mr. McCarty. Their “Train Kept A’ Rollin’” inspired Aerosmith to tackle the same song. Their early forays into heavy rock inspired Page to form his own band, originally named The New Yardbirds, but ultimately named Led Zeppelin.

The Yardbirds, electrifying, eclectic and way ahead of their time, melded heavy rock, wild jams, the blues, and an improvisatory feel, and continue to influence generations of bands and artists. Go to a Yardbirds show and you'll find crowds filled with 20-somethings to baby boomers all thrilling to this band's legendary power.  Watching The Yardbirds in action is experiencing rock’n’roll history.

In addition, Jim McCarty will be the special guest of Renaissance’s 50^th Anniversary performance at the Keswick in Glenside, PA, on the 12th of October. McCarty co-founded the group, and—initially—hired Annie Haslam as the group evolved into an all new lineup.

The Yardbirds 2019 Tour Schedule:

October 10 – Robert E. Parilla PAC – Rockville, MD http://mcblogs.montgomerycollege.edu/reppac/yardbirds/

October 13 – Suffolk Theater – Riverhead, NY http://www.suffolktheater.com/event/066ee961676dd8f912704bd1b0047e78

http://www.theyardbirds.com/ 

Pioneering British Blues-Rock Band, The Yardbirds, Set for 2019 U.S. Tour

The Yardbirds, the band that spearheaded the British Blues Boom of the 1960s, the band that brought the world Eric Clapton in 1963, Jeff Beck in 1965 and Jimmy Page in 1966 (who played in the band with Beck for four months), the band that continues to inspire artists worldwide, will tour the East Coast starting March 14 in Old Saybrook, Connecticutt.

The current  lineup includes critically-acclaimed original drummer/composer Jim McCarty, lead vocalist/rhythm guitarist John Idan, whose tenure with the band began in 1992, bassist Kenny Aaronson, who’s lent his considerable talents to Billy Idol, Joan Jett, and Hall and Oates over the years, lead guitarist Godfrey Townsend, an amazing player who has performed with numerous rock luminaries including John Entwistle and Jack Bruce, and Myke Scavone, (who is also lead singer in The Doughboys) on harp, percussion and backing vocals.

Known as much for their strict allegiance to the blues as for their international chart-topping hit “For Your Love,” The Yardbirds have never lost their drive and jet-propelled beat, due mainly to Mr. McCarty. Their “Train Kept A’ Rollin’” inspired Aerosmith to tackle the same song. Their early forays into heavy rock inspired Page to form his own band, originally named The New Yardbirds, but ultimately named Led Zeppelin.

The Yardbirds, electrifying, eclectic and way ahead of their time, melded heavy rock, wild jams, the blues, and an improvisatory feel, and continue to influence generations of bands and artists. Go to a Yardbirds show and you'll find crowds filled with 20-somethings to baby boomers all thrilling to this band's legendary power.  Watching The Yardbirds in action is experiencing rock’n’roll history.

The Yardbirds 2019 Tour Schedule:

March 14 – Old Saybrook, CT – Katherine Hepburn Cultural Arts Center

March 15 – Plymouth, NH – Flying Monkey

March 16 – Albany, NY – The Egg:  Sawyer Theatre

March 18 – New York, NY – City Winery

March 20 – Boston, MA – City Winery

March 21 – Northampton, MA – Iron Horse

March 22 – Buffalo, NY – Tralf Music Hall

March 23 – Warren, PA – Struthers Library Theatre

March 24 – Pawling, NY – Daryl’s House

March 28 – Phoenixville, PA – Colonial Theatre

March 29 – Washington, D.C. – City Winery

March 30 – Richmond, VA – Tin Pan

April 2-5 – Time Life Flower Power Cruise

The Yardbirds’ New Guitarist: Godfrey Townsend

Look for US Fall Tour with A Who’s Who of Great Musicians

GODFREY TOWNSEND is the new guitarist for the Yardbirds. A favorite in the Classic Rock World, Godfrey has played with a range of greats from John Entwistle to Jack Bruce. 

In fact Eric Clapton’s guitar technician, Lee Dickson commented to John Entwistle, “Hey John, come listen to this guy...he’s got Clapton down better than Clapton!” Entwistle replied, “You twit!...that’s MY guitar player!” 

Godfrey Townsend joins a lineup with innovative and legendary musicians— notably, of course the Yardbirds’ leader/drummer/singer/co-founder Jim McCarty, bassist Kenny Aaronson (Bob Dylan, Hall & Oates, Billy Idol, Derringer, Joan Jett), singer/harpist/percussionist Myke Scavone (Ram Jam, The Doughboys), and  lead singer/guitarist John Idan (who is on their 2003 CD “Birdland” album which features guest appearances from both Steve Vai and Slash). 

Godfrey’s plays guitar, keyboards, sings, and is the music director of countless live performers, most notably his own “Clapton is God-frey” show and the Happy Together tour.

A favorite in New York City’s Max’s Kansas City and the China Club scenes, Godfrey’s been the guy that got famous rockers on stage to jam with the bands.  After a stint in Las Vegas working with Mitch Ryder, Spencer Davis, and Joey Molland of Badfinger, he was recruited by John Entwistle of The Who, with whom he performed a half dozen tours, a studio album, and a live album. Godfrey went on to play with Alan Parsons, Todd Rundgren, Ann Wilson of Heart, Jack Bruce, Mark Farner, Christopher Cross, Flo and Eddie, and Dave Mason.  

Since the Yardbirds’ birth from 1963 to 1968, and then its 2003 reformation, the group has been known for its incredible guitarists. In addition to Eric Clapton, Jeff Beck and Jimmy Page, plus rhythm guitarist/bassist Chris Dreja have contributed to the band’s history.

Jim McCarty continues to lead this innovative British rock band that provides the crucial link between British R&B, Psychedelic Rock, and Heavy Metal, while pioneering the use of innovations like fuzztone, feedback and distortion. The drummer/singer/songwriter is responsible for its haunting sound.

 The Yardbirds are exclusively represented TCI (Talent Consultants International) for booking concerts. Stay tuned for an announcement soon of U.S. Tour dates for this November. 

Goldmine Magazine stated, “the band’s hallmark of top-notch musicianship remains. There are no passengers in this band.” 

theyardbirds.com

yardbirds.us

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