YOUR AD HERE »

The Yardbirds return to Harrah’s Lake Tahoe with a fresh lineup

Adam Jensen
ajensen@tahoedailytribune.com
The Yardbirds perform in the Harrah's Lake Tahoe South Shore Room Saturday, Nov. 7.
Courtesy photo |

If you go

What: The Yardbirds

When: 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 7

Where: Harrah’s Lake Tahoe

Tickets: $46 plus fees

Info: http://www.ticketmaster.com

While the Yardbirds have been an influential group since the early 1960s, when they take the stage at the Harrah’s Lake Tahoe South Shore Room this Saturday they’ll be featuring something new — an almost entirely American lineup.

Drummer and original Yardbirds member Jim McCarty is the only British holdout in the group, which counts Eric Clapton, Jimmy Page and Jeff Beck among its alumni. This tour is the first in the group’s history where McCarty will be the only Brit in the Yardbirds.

McCarty, guitarist Johnny A, bassist Kenny Aaronson, singer/blues harpist/percussionist Myke Scavone and guitarist/singer John Idan comprise the latest version of the group, which originally formed in 1963. The group’s hits include “For Your Love,” “I’m a Man,” “The Train Kept A-Rollin’,” “Over Under Sideways Down” and “Heart Full Of Soul,” among others.



The Yardbirds kicked off their latest U.S. tour last month in Connecticut. McCarty has been happy with the results thus far.

“They’re really dedicated to the cause,” the influential drummer said of his band mates. “They’re very authentic. It’s sounding really good.”



In addition to the group’s well-known fan favorites, the Yardbirds’ own interpretation of Howlin’ Wolf’s “Smokestack Lightning,” Chicago blues standard “Good Morning School Girl” and the group’s first charting hit, “Shapes of Things,” have been finding their way into the band’s recent shows

“It’s a pretty solid set,” McCarty said. “I think it’s a really strong repertoire.”

McCarty is known for his innovative style, and he said he’s still been able to explore during the set. In addition to early rock ‘n’ roll and jazz influences, McCarty incorporates African styles into his psychedelic drumming.

“We were always influence by all kinds of different music,” McCarty said of the Yardbirds. “Put all the music in a pot and see what comes out.”

McCarty says he’s been working on a new solo album with a stripped-down folk-rock sound. He’s also about two-thirds through writing a book about his life.

But in the short term he’s looking forward to being back in the South Shore Room.

“I love playing Tahoe,” McCarty said. “It’s a great venue out there.”

Saturday’s show starts at 7:30 p.m. More information is available at http://www.ticketmaster.com.


Support Local Journalism

Support Local Journalism

Readers around the Lake Tahoe Basin and beyond make the Tahoe Tribune's work possible. Your financial contribution supports our efforts to deliver quality, locally relevant journalism.

Now more than ever, your support is critical to help us keep our community informed about the evolving coronavirus pandemic and the impact it is having locally. Every contribution, however large or small, will make a difference.

Your donation will help us continue to cover COVID-19 and our other vital local news.