From England to Tahoe, Jim McCarty to bring classic Yardbirds sound to Harrah's

From their 1960s heyday, through being inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, to performing on the Harrah's Tahoe stage, the one constant in the legendary Yardbirds has been drummer Jim McCarty.

Most will remember the Yardbirds for two things. First is the fact that being part of the band launched the careers of Eric Clapton, Jeff Beck and Jimmy Page. Secondly, the Yardbirds are remembered for their long list of classic hits including “For Your Love,” “Heart Full of Soul,” "Shapes of Things, "“I’m A Man” and “Over Under Sideways Down.”

Core members Jim McCarty, Chris Dreja and the late Keith Relf were pioneers in rock music, creating guitar-oriented, blues-based rock and roll by using innovative techniques that Jeff Beck had brought to the band, including feedback and distortion.

"We were just trying to play something different and have fun," McCarty told South Tahoe Now Tuesday. "We started playing blues, R & B covers, and then made them a bit different by putting different time signatures into them, especially with Jeff Beck use of weird and wonderful sounds. That is how our music was seen as psychedelic and then jimmy page added his own style."

The band broke up in 1968 but McCarty and Dreja reunited with the release of 2003’s “Birdland,” which featured guests like Brian May, Steve Vai and Joe Satriani. They also released a live DVD in 2013 for the band’s 50th anniversary.

In 2015, McCarty announced a new touring lineup for The Yardbirds, comprised of lead guitarist Johnny A, bassist Kenny Aaronson, singer / harpist / percussionist Myke Scavone, and guitarist / singer John Idan. They are now touring together and will be heading to the South Shore from a two-night gig at the popular Yoshi's in Oakland.

McCarty said the fans at their shows now are a mixture of ages, from twenty-somethings to folks into their 60s. Even though the core fan base are those that grew up with the Yardbirds, McCarty says they are now seeing multi-generations coming to enjoy a show.

When asked who he'd bring together to make a band, living or dead, the only name McCarty could commit to was Jeff Beck. He said there lots of great musicians including Dave Brubeck and Buddy Rich as well as other drummers Keith Moon, Ginger Baker and Bernard Lee "Pretty" Purdie.

After being in the music industry for 54-years (so far), McCarty said he's had a few life-changing moments in his career. "Being inducted into the Hall of Fame was great," he said. "I didn't really expect it and that was a great night!"

He also said it is a great moment when an icon performs one of his songs. "David Bowie doing 'Shape of Things' and Rush recording "Heart Full of Soul" were very gratifying," said McCarty.

The other great moment was actually "some really great shows," according to McCarty. "I had a really fantastic feeling from shows with Jeff Beck at a club in Hollywood, and now playing with my current band."

"We're having a great time," said McCarty.

The 73-year-old rocker enjoys playing in Lake Tahoe and is looking forward to spending some time enjoying the lake. After their show at Yoshi's on Wednesday the band will head up to Tahoe before their June 3 show at Harrah's.

"This is one of the best gigs," McCarty said of Harrah's. "They are well organized and its a nice place to be. Its a lovely part of the world."

McCarty now calls Southern France home during the winter, but also has a base in Toronto, Canada. He has a whole solo album of music ready to come out once he decides what label to use. The new Yardbirds will also be recording an album later in the year in the Boston area.

Those going to the Harrah's Tahoe show can expect a classic Yardbird set with all of the hits. McCarty said 90 percent of the show is full of the old hits, then they'll add some blues covers that helped create their original sounds, then some new songs.

Showtime is 7:30 p.m. in the Harrah's South Shore Room. Tickets are available HERE.