Keith Relf

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Keith Relf
KeithRelf1966.jpg
Relf in 1966
Background information
Birth name Keith William Relf
Born (1943-03-22)22 March 1943
Richmond, Surrey
Died 14 May 1976(1976-05-14) (aged 33)
London, England
Genres Blues, blues-rock, folk-rock, psychedelic rock, progressive rock, hard rock
Occupations Singer, songwriter, guitarist, record producer
Instruments Vocals, harmonica, guitar, percussion, bass guitar, keyboards
Years active 1956–1976
Associated acts

Keith William Relf (22 March 1943 – 14 May 1976) was a musician best known as the lead singer and harmonica player of The Yardbirds. After the Yardbirds broke up Relf formed the acoustic duo Together, with fellow Yardbird Jim McCarty, followed by Renaissance, which also featured his sister, singer Jane Relf, then hard rock group Armageddon. Relf also produced tracks for artists such as folk-rock band Hunter Muskett, the acoustic world music group Amber, psychedelic band Saturnalia and blues-rock band Medicine Head, with whom he played bass guitar.

His debut solo single, "Mr. Zero", peaked at No. 50 in the UK Singles Chart in May 1966.[1]

Relf was 33 when he died from electrocution, at his home, while playing his improperly grounded amplifier. At the time, Relf was rehearsing new material for the regrouping of the original Renaissance line-up, called Illusion.

Relf's posthumous 1992 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction with the Yardbirds was represented by his widow April, and son Danny.

Solo singles discography [edit]

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

  • "Mr. Zero" / "Knowing" – UK Columbia DB7920 / U.S. Epic 10044 – May 1966
A-side written by Bob Lind
  • "Shapes In My Mind" / "Blue Sands" – UK Columbia DB8084 / US Epic 10110 – November 1966
B-side is an instrumental credited to Relf, but actually performed by The Outsiders (not to be confused with The Outsiders who performed "Time Won't Let Me"). The US single featured the same version as the UK single, US promotional copies (on red vinyl) featured a different mix.

A further single appeared in 1989

  • "Together Now" / "All The Fallen Angels" – MCCM 89 002 – 1989
US release only. The A-side was recorded in 1968, originally recorded that same year by Together. The B-side was recorded on 2 May 1976, 12 days before Relf's death

References [edit]

  1. ^ Roberts, David (2006). British Hit Singles & Albums (19th ed.). London: Guinness World Records Limited. p. 458. ISBN 1-904994-10-5. 

External links [edit]