Top Topham was, until his recent return to the band, the forgotten founding guitarist of the Yardbirds. People talked about the Hall of Fame group’s striking run of soloists, one that includes Eric Clapton, Jeff Beck and Jimmy Page, often without ever knowing who’d been there first.
So, it’s all the more interesting to hear Topham — who rejoined the Yardbirds after departing in 1963 — heap praise on one of his successors, too. Turns out, Top Topham still finds much to examine, and to enjoy, in the playing of Jeff Beck, a member of the Yardbirds from 1965–66.
“When I see somebody playing I want to feel their life experiences, that’s what really grabs me,” Top Topham tells Guitar International. “One of the guys that I really feel this coming from is Jeff Beck. I have to tip my hat to the man. He’s never resting on his laurels. He’s always pushing himself and you feel that every moment is a total commitment to what he’s doing. That’s something that I used to really find attractive in a player, but I’m not sure I hear those qualities in the newer, younger players. What I hear, is a lot of people trying to emulate blues-based music and getting the whole point of it wrong, really.”
Top Topham initially left the Yardbirds in order to focus on school. He was, after all, only 15 when he and stalwart Jim McCarty started the group. While Beck and Co. were getting all of the attention, Topham quietly established a career as a painter and interior decorator. That is, until Jim McCarty brought him back into the Yardbirds fold a couple of years ago.
The time away gave Topham new perspective on those earlier times, and on his own playing, too. “I think it’s interesting for guys like myself, who’ve done it on or off over the years,” Topham adds. “It’s not really about trying to emulate anyone else at this point. It’s just about finding one’s own sound and trying to be as creative as possible within that framework.”
The Yardbirds, after a period of stability with their initial reunion with Top Topham, are currently rebuilding their lineup. But Topham looks to continue with the group.
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