Keith Relf facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Keith Relf
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Relf in 1966
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | William Keith Relf |
| Born | 22 March 1943 Richmond, England |
| Died | 12 May 1976 (aged 33) Hounslow, London, England |
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| Years active | 1956–1976 |
William Keith Relf (born March 22, 1943 – died May 12, 1976) was an English musician. He is best known as the lead singer and harmonica player for the rock band The Yardbirds. After the Yardbirds, he started new bands like Renaissance.
Contents
Early Life and Family
Keith Relf was born on March 22, 1943. His parents were Mary Elsie Vickers and William Arthur Percy Relf. Keith had a sister named Jane. His father worked as a builder, and his mother was a housewife.
Keith Relf's Musical Journey
Keith Relf began playing in bands around 1956. He sang, played guitar, and played the harmonica.
The Yardbirds and Songwriting
Relf helped write many famous songs for The Yardbirds. These songs include "Shapes of Things" and "Over Under Sideways Down". He also sang an early version of "Dazed and Confused" live. This song was later recorded by Led Zeppelin.
Solo Music and New Bands
In May 1966, Relf released his first solo song, "Mr. Zero". It reached number 50 on the UK music charts.
After The Yardbirds broke up in 1968, Relf formed a new acoustic duo called Together. He then started the band Renaissance with his sister Jane Relf. After leaving Renaissance in 1970, he began helping other artists produce their music. He also played bass guitar for the band Medicine Head.
In 1974, he formed a progressive rock band called Armageddon. Their first album, Armageddon, was released in the United States. This band was known as a "supergroup" because it had members from other well-known bands.
Personal Life and Passing
In 1966, Keith Relf married April Liversidge. They had two sons, Danny and Jason.
Keith Relf passed away on May 12, 1976, at the age of 33. He had health issues like emphysema and asthma. He died in an accident at his home while playing an electric guitar.
At the time of his death, Relf was planning to reunite the original Renaissance band members. This new group would have been called Illusion. He was buried in Richmond Cemetery.
His Legacy in Music
In 1992, Keith Relf was honored after his death. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame with The Yardbirds. His wife April and sons Danny and Jason accepted the award for him.
Solo Songs
Most of Keith Relf's music was released with the bands he was in. However, he did release a few songs under his own name in 1966.
- "Mr. Zero" / "Knowing" – Released in May 1966.
- "Shapes in My Mind" / "Blue Sands" – Released in November 1966.
Another song appeared in 1989:
- "Together Now" / "All The Fallen Angels" – Released in 1989 only in the US. "Together Now" was first recorded in 1968. "All The Fallen Angels" was recorded just ten days before Relf's death.
See Also
In Spanish: Keith Relf para niños
