This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 2/6/2022
THE YARDBIRDS 1964 AUTOGRAPHED ‘I WISH YOU WOULD’ DEBUT RECORD SLEEVE
“…quite possibly the earliest signed Yardbirds recording to surface”
Here is a rare first UK pressing of the Yardbirds debut single ‘I Wish You Would’ autographed on the originally issued Columbia Records sleeve: Love to Rita from Keith Relf; To Rita with love Eric Clapton; Paul Samwell-Smith; To Rita Chris Dreja; and, Love Rita James McCarty. All members have signed in blue ballpoint, except Relf who has signed in black ballpoint. The Yardbirds released the single ‘I Wish You Would’ on Friday 1 May 1964. The autographs, and newly released single, were obtained just two days later, on Sunday 3 May 1964, as the Yardbirds were promoting the record launch at the Crawdaddy Club, Richmond upon Thames, London. The autographs come with a letter from the original recipient that reads: ‘With regards the Yardbirds signed single recently sent to you. Back in the 60’s regularly attended the ‘Crawdaddy’ club in Richmond, where the Yardbirds played. Myself and friends were there when their first single ‘I Wish You Would’ was released and we all bought copies. We then all went up on stage and got the boys to sign the covers for us.’ The Crawdaddy served a major role in the development of the Yardbirds ‘rave up’ style of playing. The legendary club was founded by Giorgio Gomelsky, the first manager of the Rolling Stones and the Yardbirds. Beginning October 1963, the Yardbirds replaced the Rolling Stones as the Crawdaddy’s house band. Eric Clapton was only 18 years old when he joined the Yardbirds. Although his tenure in the band was brief, it had a lasting impact on the British blues rock scene. Yardbirds band signed recordings, particularly with the Clapton line-up, are exceedingly scarce. Per the Tracks COA, “…this is the only signed example of their historic debut single that we have encountered. Furthermore, given it was signed within two days of its release, it is quite possibly the earliest signed Yardbirds recording to surface.”
Accompanied by a detailed letter of provenance from the original recipient, and a full Letter of Authenticity from music autograph authority Tracks UK, Ltd.