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This show was taped a month ago, in conversation with Yardbirds/Renaissance/Illusion founding member Jim McCarty, in an effort to widen the lens exploring the world of 60s British rock that The Beatles operated in. Sadly we find ourselves now memorializing his friend and bandmate, Jeff Beck – a giant of guitar whose boundless brilliance we were privileged to witness. So it is in the spirit of celebrating the legacy of Jeff and The Yardbirds as well as McCarty’s creativity that this show is presented. If you are already a fan, I know you will enjoy it; if you are new to this band, I hope the music and story presented will set you off on your own discoveries.
Jim McCarty was far more than The Yardbirds’ drummer – he sang and co-wrote, as well as collaborated with singer Keith Relf beyond the band’s lifetime. They recorded together and formed Renaissance, as well as Illusion. McCarty also was part of the latter-day Yardbirds iteration, Box of Frogs, featuring contributions from Beck and Page. Jim has also recorded prodigiously, as a soloist as well as a collaborator on numerous projects.
He has also written a pair of books: 2018’s Nobody Told Me (featuring a foreword by Jimmy Page) about his life in music, as well as the more esoteric She Walks In Beauty (2021), presenting his exploration into the world beyond this world and the answers he found when seeking communication with his late wife, Lizzie. Jim is a canny, insightful storyteller, and both books include much on what he’s learned in and out of music. You can find all his info at http://www.jamesmccarty.com/
This podcast is sponsored by BetterHelp. Go to betterhelp.com/satb for 10% off your first month of treatment.
Enjoyed this one (and couldn’t help but notice Jim mentioning meningitis as a possible cause for Jeff becoming unreliable towards the end of his time with The Yardbirds – I don’t know if meningitis can be a chronic condition that goes into remission and which can come back with a vengeance later in life).
Paul Samwell-Smith and Paul Jones would be interesting interviewees – I’d like to know more about the genesis of “The Dog Presides” (with Paul McCartney on drums).
Enjoyed this one (and couldn’t help but notice Jim mentioning meningitis as a possible cause for Jeff becoming unreliable towards the end of his time with The Yardbirds – I don’t know if meningitis can be a chronic condition that goes into remission and which can come back with a vengeance later in life).
Paul Samwell-Smith and Paul Jones would be interesting interviewees – I’d like to know more about the genesis of “The Dog Presides” (with Paul McCartney on drums).