Keith Relf

Infobox musical artist
Name = Keith Relf


Img_capt = Keith Relf (second from right) with The Yardbirds in 1966
Background = solo_singer
Birth_name = William Keith Relf
Alias =
Born = birth date|1943|3|22|mf=y
Richmond, Surrey, England
Died = death date and age|1976|5|14|1943|3|22|mf=y, London, England
Instrument = vocals, harmonica, guitar
Genre = blues, blues-rock, folk-rock, prog rock, heavy metal
Occupation =
Years_active = 1963 - 1976
Label =
Associated_acts = The Yardbirds
Renaissance
Medicine Head
Armaggedon
Illusion
URL =

Keith Relf (born William Keith Relf on March 22, 1943 - May 14, 1976) is best known as the lead singer and harmonica player of The Yardbirds. After the Yardbirds broke up, Relf was involved in the acoustic duo Together, with fellow Yardbird Jim McCarty, and the groups Renaissance (which included his sister Jane Relf) and hard rock group Armageddon. He also produced a number of tracks for the acoustic (world music) group Amber, for Saturnalia, and also for Medicine Head, with which he also played bass guitar.

Relf was only 33 when he died from an electric shock he received while playing his electric guitar, which was not properly grounded (Br., earthed). [ [http://www.elvispelvis.com/electrocuted.htm Electrocuted Page in Fuller Up, Dead Musician Directory ] ] (The tale that he died while playing in the bathtub is an urban legend.) At the time, Relf was rehearsing new material for the regrouping of the original Renaissance lineup, called Illusion.

Keith Relf's posthumous 1992 Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame induction with The Yardbirds was represented by his wife April and son Danny.

Solo Singles discography

Most of Relf's recordings were released under the name of the group he was in at the time. However, an attempt was made to establish him as a solo artist and two singles came out under his name in 1966.

* "Mr. Zero" / "Knowing" -- UK Columbia DB7920 / US Epic 10044 -- 5/66::"A-side written by Bob Lind"
* "Shapes In My Mind" / "Blue Sands" -- UK Columbia DB8084 / US Epic 10110 -- 11/66::"B-side is an instrumental track credited to Keith Relf, but actually performed by The Outsiders (not to be confused with The Outsiders of "Time Won't Let Me" fame). The US commercial single features the same version as the UK single, US promotional copies (on red vinyl) feature a different mix"

A further single appeared in 1989...

* "Together Now" / "All The Fallen Angels" -- MCCM 89 002 -- 1989::"US release only. A-side recorded 1968, originally recorded that same year by first post-Yardbirds group Together (featuring Relf and drummer Jim McCarty). B-side recorded on May 2, 1976 (12 days before Relf's death)"

References

External links

* [http://www.theyardbirds.com/ The Yardbirds Official Web Site]
* [http://www.nlightsweb.com/ Northern Lights, a Renaissance fan site]
* [http://www.alexgitlin.com/npp/armauk.htm Alex Gitlin's Armageddon Page]
* [http://www.alexgitlin.com/npp/illusion.htm Alex Gitlin's Illusion Page]