The Yardbirds have had their share of accolades over the years, not least of which is their early-1990s induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. To a younger generation, however, they may be better known for the appearance of one of the Yardbirds’ signature covers — a scorching 2006 update of Bo Diddley’s “I’m a Man” — on the long-running Simpsons television program.
“It was always a great, fast version of the song,” Yardbirds leader Jim McCarty tells the Dallas Observer. “We were lucky to have it get picked up. That was fun. It went through the record label in Los Angeles, Favorite Nations. I think the people from the Simpsons contacted the label. The record label told us about it and, of course, we were very happy about it.”
Originally found on 2007’s Live at B.B. King Blues Club via Favored Nations, “I’m A Man” was part of that same year’s Simpsons story arc. This take featured McCarty, Chris Dreja, John Idan, Ben King and Billy Boy Miskimmin. McCarty and King remain in a current Yardbirds line up that’s touring the U.S. this summer.
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