Jeff Beck's Yardbirds predecessor Anthony 'Top' Topham dies two weeks after star
Anthony ‘Top’ Topham had died at the age of 75.
The late guitarist formed 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.
Clapham then quit the group in 1965 and was replaced by the late Jeff Beck, whose death was announced earlier this month.
A statement from Topham's representative reads: “Sanderson Rasjid, born Anthony ‘Top’ Topham, passed away peacefully on Monday January 23 surrounded by his family.
Anthony "Top" Topham, founding guitarist of The Yardbirds, who has died at the age of 75 after suffering dementia“Born in London on July 3 1947, he was 75 years old and had been fighting dementia in his final years.”
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The musician, who later adopted the name Sanderson Rasjid after joining the Subud spiritual movement, helped form the pioneering rhythm and blues band in London in May 1963.
He left before their commercial breakthrough and was succeeded as lead guitarist by Eric Clapton, then Jeff Beck and finally Jimmy Page.
The late musician speaking on the BBC (BBC)Topham went on to play guitar for Christine McVie, Duster Bennett, and Fleetwood Mac founder Peter Green.
In his later life, he also worked as an interior designer and was a mural and fine artist but occasionally rejoined The Yardbirds for reunions in 2013 to 2015.
Keith Relf died in 1976. The other three original member of The Yardbirds, Paul Samwell-Smith, Chris Dreja and Jim McCarty are all still with us.
His death comes two weeks after that of fellow Yardbird Beck from bacterial meningitis.
Jeff Beck, Jimmy Page, Chris Dreja, Keith Relf and Jim McCarthy as The Yardbirds in 1996 (Dezo Hoffman/REX/Shutterstock)Representatives for the guitar virtuoso confirmed on January 11 that Beck died on Tuesday after "suddenly contracting bacterial meningitis ".
The late artist's loved ones shared also shared a message on the star's social media, writing: "On behalf of his family, it is with deep and profound sadness that we share the news of Jeff Beck’s passing.
"After suddenly contracting bacterial meningitis, he peacefully passed away yesterday. His family ask for privacy while they process this tremendous loss."
Beck's death was announced earlier this month (Gamma-Rapho via Getty Images)Beck first came to prominence as a member of the Yardbirds and then went out on his own in a solo career that incorporated hard rock, jazz, funky blues and even opera.
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He was known for his improvising, love of harmonics and the whammy bar on his preferred guitar, the Fender Stratocaster.
Kiss frontman Paul Stanley described the guitarist as “one of the all time guitar masters” as he remembered his friend.
Posting a picture of Beck on his Twitter, he wrote: “WOW. What awful news.
“Jeff Beck, one of the all time guitar masters has died.
“From The Yardbirds and The Jeff Beck Group on, he blazed a trail impossible to follow. Play on now and forever.”
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