Tribute to Topham

Anthony “Top” Topham, the original lead guitarist of the Yardbirds, has died at the age of 75.

As a tribute to Top, Brumby Media Group have donated to this archive previously unseen footage made for the 2013 documentary Rock’n’Roll Island. In conversation with John Anderson and documentary producer Cheryl Robson, Topham recalls his early musical experiences on Twickenham’s Eel Pie Island, and discusses the phenomenon that was the British Rhythm and Blues explosion of the early 1960s

Founder member Topham left the band in 1963, after the Yardbirds had secured a residency at the Crawdaddy Club in nearby Richmond, courtesy of Rock’n’Roll Impresario Giorgio Gomelsky. He was replaced by his fellow art student, a young man named Eric Clapton. In later years the band nurtured two more stellar lead guitarists, Jeff Beck and Jimmy Page.

From 2013 to 2015 Topham rejoined the Yardbirds, replacing another original member Chris Dreja.