Chris Dreja, the co-founding rhythm guitarist and later bassist of the Yardbirds , has died, reports The New York Times . On September 25, Dreja died of complications of multiple strokes and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease while in a London nursing home, according to his daughter, Jacqueline Dreja Zamboni. He was 79.

Although the Yardbirds were best known for their trio of all-star guitarists— Eric Clapton , Jimmy Page , and the late Jeff Beck —sharing the leading spotlight, Dreja’s essential role on rhythm guitar helped create an essential backdrop for the group to shine, especially during their extended instrumental passages that would go on to influence countless pillars of classic rock. Dreja co-founded the group in 1963 as a rhythm guitarist until original bassist P

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