The backbone of the rock band The Yardbirds consisted of vocalist Keith Relf, rhythm guitarist Chris Dreja, bassist Paul Samwell-Smith, and drummer Jim McCarty. However, they were most famous for their succession of luminary lead guitarists, Eric Clapton, Jeff Beck, and Jimmy Page. Under Clapton the Yardbirds played high-energy R&B with long improvisations called "rave-ups" in which they would alter tempo and volume, building to a climax before returning to the song. Although the recording technology is poor by today's standards, Five Live Yardbirds (1965) reveals a tight unit of talented musicians. Inspired by the phenomenal success of the Beatles, the Yardbirds then recorded the pop song, "For Your Love," written by Graham Gouldman, and this became their first hit. The song featured a harpsichord and bongos, but very little Clapton. Uncomfortable with the band's commercial direction, Clapton left to pursue pure blues in John Mayall's...