Anthony “Top” Topham, founding guitarist of The Yardbirds, died at the age of 75 after a battle with dementia. His death comes two weeks after Yardbird successor Jeff Beck from bacterial meningitis.
The musician, who later adopted the name Sanderson Rasjid after joining the Subud spiritual movement, helped form the pioneering rhythm aThe late guitarist formed blues-rock pioneers The Yardbirds with Keith Relf, Paul Samwell-Smith, Chris Dreja and Jim McCarty in London in May 1963 but left in October and was replaced by Eric Clapton – who also left in 1965 and was replaced by the late Jeff Beck, whose death was announced earlier this month.
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“Sanderson Rasjid, born Anthony ‘Top’ Topham, passed away peacefully on Monday, January 23 surrounded by his family.
Topham went on to play guitar for Christine McVie, Duster Bennett, and Fleetwood Mac founder Peter Green. His death comes two weeks after that of fellow Yardbird Beck from bacterial meningitis.
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The Yardbirds are an English blues rock band from London. They were fromedc in May 1963, the group originally included lead vocalist Keith Relf, lead guitarist Anthony “Top” Topham, rhythm guitarist Chris Dreja, bassist Paul Samwell-Smith and drummer Jim McCarty. In October, Topham was replaced by Eric Clapton. He remained until 13 March 1965, when he left due to creative disagreements. Clapton recommended Jimmy Page to replace him, but he declined and Jeff Beck took over.
