The Life and Tragedy Of The Yardbirds’ Keith Relf

Keith Relf, born on March 22, 1943, in the southwest London neighborhood of Richmond, had a modest beginning. Raised by his mother alongside his sister Jane, while his father worked as a contractor, the Relf family was not particularly musically inclined. Despite this, Keith’s passion for music sparked early, and by the summer of 1956, he was already performing as a vocalist, guitarist, and harmonica player in various bands.

Relf’s musical journey took a significant turn when he joined the Metropolitan Blues Quartet, which included Paul Samwell-Smith, who would later become a key member of the Yardbirds alongside Relf. The band eventually expanded to include Top Topham, Jim McCarty, and Chris Dreja. They made their mark by opening for Cyril Davies at Kingston Art School in May 1963. After this performance, the group evolved into the Blue Sounds, and Relf suggested a name change to the Yardbirds, which stuck.

During his time with the Yardbirds, Relf was crucial to their sound, providing harmonica, blues harp, and soulful vocals. His influence extended to their early recordings, including an initial version of “Dazed and Confused,” which was later famously covered by Led Zeppelin. Relf co-wrote several Yardbirds classics, including “Shapes of Things,” “I Ain’t Done Wrong,” “Happenings Ten Years Time Ago,” and “Over Under Sideways Down.”

After the Yardbirds disbanded in July 1968, Relf, along with his sister Jane and Jim McCarty, founded the band Renaissance. His post-Yardbirds career saw him producing records and working with various artists such as Steamhammer, Hunter Muskett, Amber, Saturnalia, and Medicine Head. In 1974, Relf formed Armageddon, and their debut album was released the following year.

Despite his efforts and contributions, Relf struggled to gain widespread recognition. His solo single “Mr. Zero” only reached number 50 on the UK Singles Chart, and his endeavors in producing and forming bands did not achieve significant commercial success. Nonetheless, Relf’s dedication to music never waned.

Health issues, including emphysema and severe asthma, plagued Relf throughout his career. These conditions impacted his life significantly despite ongoing treatment. Tragically, Relf’s life ended in a shocking accident. While performing on his guitar in his cellar, he was electrocuted due to faulty grounding. His eight-year-old son found him deceased. Although Relf’s family maintained their privacy following his death, his contributions to music were honored posthumously. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1992, reflecting his lasting impact on the industry despite his relatively low profile during his lifetime.