Rare first UK pressing of the Columbia Records 45 RPM record ‘I Wish You Would / A Certain Girl,’ the debut single by The Yardbirds, signed and inscribed on the originally issued Columbia Records sleeve in ballpoint, “Love to Rita, from Keith Relf,” “To Rita, with love, Eric Clapton,” “Paul Samwell-Smith,” “To Rita, Chris Dreja,” and “Love Rita, James McCarty.” The Yardbirds released the single ‘I Wish You Would’ on Friday May 1, 1964. The autographs, and newly released single, were obtained just two days later, on May 3rd, as the Yardbirds were promoting the record launch at the Crawdaddy Club in Richmond upon Thames, London. In very good condition, with overall creasing, and a stain to the upper left corner.
Accompanied by a letter of provenance 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.” Also included is a certificate of authenticity from Tracks, which states: “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.”
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.
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