Yardbirds Scottish Tour 1966

[Iain1206]

Hello all

I am currently researching live shows played by The Yardbirds in Scotland in 1966.

As I'm sure many of you are aware, The Yardbirds are mainly known for having 3 of the finest British guitarists of all time in their lineup at one time or another. Following Eric Clapton's decision to quit the band, Jeff Beck joined and took over lead guitar duties. He was shortly joined by Jimmy Page (who later formed Led Zeppelin from the remnants of The Yardbirds in 1968) initially on bass guitar and subsequently for a short period played lead guitar alongside Beck.

This is the period I am specifically interested in, when both Jeff Beck and Jimmy Page played in the band together. Records show that this particular Yardbirds lineup played the following shows throughout Scotland in 1966.

July 15, 1966 Palais De Danse, Cowdenbeath, Scotland
July 15, 1966 City Hall, Perth, Scotland
July 16, 1966 Ice Rink, Ayr, Scotland
July 17, 1966 Victoria Ballroom, Dunbar, Scotland
September 30, 1966 Odeon Theatre, Glasgow, Scotland (2 shows)

There would appear to be no known recordings of this lineup of the band in existence - at least none that I've been able to find during my research.

So, with a bit of luck I am hoping to hear from anyone who attended these shows and has a recording, or indeed someone who can possibly give me further information that could lead to the discovery of a tape of any of the above shows. I will of course compensate anyone who can successfully assist me in my quest.

If you think you can help, please feel free to drop me an email or a private message and I'll be happy to hear from you.

Thanks in advance for any help you can provide.

Iain

[BornAgainScot]

The only Yardbirds track I can think of for the Beck/Page line up is Stroll On from the 1966 film Blow Up! Good luck with your search though!

[Polwarth]

Iain - I remember seeing the Yardbirds live, but can't for the life of me remember where, or the line up. I THOUGHT it was in Edinburgh, but I may be wrong about that ... it WAS a looooong time ago!

Have you tried the Footstompin' site? It's for folkies, mostly.... but I know some of teh posters and they have quite catholic tastes in music - and some of them go back (like me) to the 60s!

Scottish and Celtic Music Discussion

[Iain1206]

Originally Posted by Polwarth

Iain - I remember seeing the Yardbirds live, but can't for the life of me remember where, or the line up. I THOUGHT it was in Edinburgh, but I may be wrong about that ... it WAS a looooong time ago!

Have you tried the Footstompin' site? It's for folkies, mostly.... but I know some of teh posters and they have quite catholic tastes in music - and some of them go back (like me) to the 60s!

Scottish and Celtic Music Discussion

Thanks for the tip Polwarth - I've posted the same note over there.

As for seeing the Yardbirds in Edinburgh - you probably did, they played the ABC on 29th September 1964 when Eric Clapton was the guitarist.

BornAgainScot - thanks, I'm aware of Stroll On in the movie, however to add some confusion, it is lip-synched, Page is on a bass guitar which isn't plugged in and he can be heard actually playing lead guitar on the song!! Great clip though ...

[Polwarth]

Goodness, 1964.... that's aeons ago!

Hope you get some help from the Footstompin' site. Some of them on there have memories like elephants!

[BornAgainScot]

You're right Iain they aren't exactly playing it on screen, but that version of the band did record it - though I think its Dreja you see on bass, Page is playing lead!

[Iain1206]

Originally Posted by BornAgainScot

You're right Iain they aren't exactly playing it on screen, but that version of the band did record it - though I think its Dreja you see on bass, Page is playing lead!

Absolutely correct BornAgainScot - Page is indeed on lead, my mistake.

Apparently the Stroll On lyrics were written the night before filming as The Train Kept A Rollin' which it is based on couldn't be used due to copyright infringements.

Some groovy dancing in that clip by the way ....