The Yardbirds, the legendary English rock band known for launching the careers of guitar icons Eric Clapton, Jeff Beck, and Jimmy Page, recently held rehearsals for their upcoming tour at the Village Nightclub in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. The band, originally formed in 1963, chose the venue at 205 N. Christian St.
for their practice sessions on April 2 and 3, 2025. Rich Ruoff, the general manager of the Village Nightclub and founder of Lancaster Roots & Blues, expressed his excitement about hosting the iconic band. Ruoff, who is friends with the band’s bassist, Kenny Aaronson, said, “The band was practicing the presentation and timing of their set, as well as playing music, so I got to see the inside scoop on that.”
The Yardbirds’ tour, which officially kicked off on Thursday in Sellersville, Bucks County, promises to feature not only performances of their classic hits but also stories from their extensive musical career.
The staging will include a large screened wall displaying photos and videos from the band’s past, enhancing the audience’s experience.
Band’s history recounted by McCarty
During the band’s time at the venue, Ruoff and drummer Jim McCarty, a founding member of The Yardbirds, connected over their mutual friends in the music industry.
The current lineup of The Yardbirds includes McCarty, Aaronson, John Idan, Myke Scavone, and Godfrey Townsend. Idan, who initially joined the band in 1992 and played until 2009, rejoined in 2015. Scavone and Aaronson have been with the band since 2015, and Townsend joined in 2018.
Over their more than 60-year run, the band has seen over a dozen other musicians come and go. The Yardbirds, known for their ’60s hits like “For Your Love,” “Heart Full of Soul,” and “Shapes of Things,” continue to have a lasting impact on the music scene. Although the band will not perform in Lancaster County, they are scheduled to perform at Rams Head On Stage in Annapolis, Maryland, on April 15.
