On September 25, 2025, the world said goodbye to Christopher Walenty Dreja — musician, photographer, and one of the unsung heroes of British rock. Best known as rhythm guitarist and later bassist for The Yardbirds, Chris stood shoulder-to-shoulder with legends like Eric Clapton, Jeff Beck, and Jimmy Page. But his story went far beyond the fretboard — spanning art, photography, and a lifelong passion for creativity. Here are 20 amazing, heartwarming facts about the man who helped shape rock’s electric revolution.
1. He was a founding member of The Yardbirds.
Chris helped form The Yardbirds in the early 1960s, blending blues, rhythm, and a spark of something entirely new — the sound that would ignite British rock.
2. He played alongside three guitar gods.
Only Chris Dreja can say he played with Eric Clapton, Jeff Beck, and Jimmy Page — all in the same band’s lifetime.
3. His father was a World War II pilot.
Alojzy Dreja, Chris’s father, was a Polish pilot exiled to Britain during WWII, inspiring Chris’s deep sense of discipline and artistry.
4. His art school roots shaped his creative mind.
Before music, Chris studied art — a love that never left him and later merged beautifully with his photography career.
5. He helped design the cover for ‘Roger the Engineer.’
That quirky, hand-drawn Yardbirds album cover? That was Chris. It became one of rock’s most iconic pieces of sleeve art.
6. He switched from rhythm to bass mid-career.
When Paul Samwell-Smith left The Yardbirds, Chris picked up the bass without hesitation — proving his versatility and dedication to the band.
7. He almost joined Led Zeppelin.
Jimmy Page invited him to play bass in a new project — the band that would become Led Zeppelin — but Chris turned it down to pursue photography.
8. He photographed Led Zeppelin’s debut album.
Chris took the famous back-cover photo of Led Zeppelin’s first record — tying his past and their beginning together forever.
9. He worked with Andy Warhol.
In New York, Chris found himself behind the camera with none other than the Pop Art legend himself.
10. His photography career flourished quietly.
From Bob Dylan to Ike & Tina Turner, Chris captured some of music’s most iconic faces, all while keeping his Yardbirds fame under wraps.
11. He was known for his modesty.
Despite his fame, most people he worked with never realized he was that Chris Dreja — and he preferred it that way.
12. He helped invent the psychedelic sound.
With The Yardbirds’ experimental riffs and feedback, Chris helped shape the psychedelic rock era that birthed countless bands.
13. His basslines were pure groove.
Songs like “Over, Under, Sideways, Down” and “Happenings Ten Years Time Ago” owe their drive to Chris’s steady, inventive playing.
14. He reunited with The Yardbirds in the ’90s.
Chris returned for the band’s revival in 1992, helping record Birdland (2002) — a nod to their past and future.
15. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
In 1992, Chris entered rock’s most hallowed hall with The Yardbirds — a well-deserved honor for his lifelong contributions.
16. He loved Les Pauls.
On stage, Chris favored his trusty Gibson Les Paul, giving The Yardbirds their trademark bite and warmth.
17. His Polish heritage was a point of pride.
Though born in Surrey, Chris carried his father’s Polish roots with quiet dignity and deep gratitude.
18. He had an eye for storytelling through the lens.
His photos weren’t just portraits — they told stories, catching artists in moments of honesty and joy.
19. He weathered illness with strength and grace.
Even after strokes forced him to retire from performing, Chris remained upbeat, creative, and connected to the music world he helped build.
20. He leaves behind a legacy that hums on every amp.
From smoky blues clubs to arena anthems, the DNA of Chris Dreja’s playing and vision still resonates through rock and roll.
