The Yardbirds are certainly one of rock ‘n’ roll’s most potent secret narratives: star-laden and star-crossed, the band enjoyed great fame and numerous hits in its own time, as well as its lasting reputation as the breeding ground of a few well-regarded British Invasion guitarists by the names of Clapton, Page and Beck. With a style that spanned rhythm ‘n’ blues and psychedelic rock, the Yardbirds can quite fairly be called forerunners of both hard rock and of progressive Brit-folk, as founding members Keith Relf and Jim McCarty were also original members of new-folk legends Renaissance.
The original Yardbirds (with rotating guitarists) had run their storied course well before Relf died tragically of electrocution in 1976. But original members began reforming and recording in the ’90s, and on into the present. Groundbreaking blues/rockers and Rock and Roll Hall of Famers the Yardbirds, featuring founding member Jim McCarty, will headline the Belleayre Music Festival’s first show in its new venue on Saturday, July 2 at 8 p.m.
The Yardbirds’ current lineup includes renowned guitarist Johnny A (Peter Wolf, Bobby Whitlock), bassist Kenny Aaronson (Bob Dylan, Billy Idol), singer/blues harpist/percussionist Myke Scavone (Ram Jam & Doughboys) and guitarist/singer John Idan. Woodstock-based favorites Connor Kennedy & Minstrel will open.
New this season, the Belleayre Music Festival will be held at Belleayre Mountain’s Discovery Lodge, with a capacity of more than 400. Advance tickets cost $28, $38 and $48, with an additional $5 charge on the day of the show. Belleayre Mountain’s Discovery Lodge is located at 181 Galli Curci Road in Highmount. For tickets and additional information, visit https://belleayremusic.org/festival.