Chris Dreja, who was a co-founder of the influential classic rock band The Yardbirds, has died at the age of 79, reports say.

Guitarist Jimmy Page, who was a member of The Yardbirds, confirmed Dreja’s death in a post on social media .

“I heard today of the passing of musician Chris Dreja, who passionately played with the iconic Yardbirds, on rhythm guitar and then the bass,” Page writes. “I hadn’t seen him in a while, and I wish I had. RIP Chris.”

Parade reports Dreja had been dealing with health issues for several years.

The Yardbirds helped launch the careers of Page and other legendary guitarists Jeff Beck and Eric Clapton in the 1960s. According to Variety , Dreja was a rhythm guitarist with the band, but switched to bass when Page joined in 1966.

The band’s hits include “For

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