David French - Heart Full of Soul: Keith Relf of the Yardbirds

I must first thank Jim McCarty, April Mannino and Louis Cennamo, who knew Keith the best and who generously spent hours speaking to me and providing me with a foundational understanding of Keith as a person. Jim has been a hero of mine for 40 years, but all three of these individuals have become heroes to me for their wisdom, heart and humor.

Enormous thanks to Alice Cooperwonderful words from a true rock god and a huge Yardbirds and Keith Relf fan. Thanks, as well, to Toby Mamis from Alive Enterprises for his own obvious enthusiasm for this project and generous assistance to make this happen, and to Timothy Smith at Legacy Recordings for making the initial connection.

Many others generously gave of their time and memories to help me tell Keiths story, including the members of almost every musical group Keith worked withthe Metropolis Blues Quartet, the Yardbirds, Renaissance, Medicine Head and Armageddon. Roughly in order of appearance, Id like to thank: Laurie Gane, Anthony Top Topham, Paul Samwell-Smith , Keith Trumbo, Pat Dreja, Simon Napier-Bell , Shelly Heber, Cheryl Noone, David Aguilar, Don Baskin, John Hawken, John Fiddler, Richard Houghton, Roger Trevitt and Hunter Muskett, Bobby Caldwell, Martin Pugh and Zac Taubman.

I am grateful to Jane and Danny Relf for the morning we spent together in Richmond during which they helped me to better know their brother and father. Though they did not wish to be interviewed for the book, they have remained in my thoughts throughout this project, giving me an intense desire to get it right and to create a portrait of Keith that is true to their memories.

Big thanks to Mike Stax, writer and editor of Ugly Things magazine, who volunteered to do an early read of my manuscript and provided much-needed edits and fact-checking . Mike also made important connections, shared resources and was always available when I reached out for help or advice.

Ben Silverberg and Coskun Josh Cicek are two Yardbirds super fans to whom I am deeply indebted for photos, memorabilia, rare recordings and interviews. The amazing Val Wilmer sent me copies of her interviews with the Yardbirds and provided contacts and encouragement. Rick Barnes provided me with the text of a rare interview with Keith. My thanks also to David Aguilar, Glenn Bergstrom, Justin Berwick, Louis Cennamo, Chris Cooper, John Fiddler, Ulrich Handl, Sam Knee, Alec Palao, Tapani Talo, Roger Trevitt, Keith Trumbo and the Odense City Archive for assistance with and use of photos, many quite rare. Thanks, as well, to the staff at Reelin in the Years, Alamy, and Getty Images for their assistance securing additional images.

Director Jennie Thomas at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Archives and her teamLaura Maidens, Jona Whipple and Justin Seidlerwere incredibly knowledgeable and helpful with my research.

My cousin Heather Wright revealed Scotland Yard-level detective skills I did not know she possessed, performing invaluable research to search the public records and nail down important events and locations in Keiths life. Additional thanks to her and to the rest of my UK family, Christine Wright (and Jessie) and Jeroen Kluit, for the love and assistance.

Many others helped to pull this thing off. Mike Novak, Sam Erickson and the rest of my rock n roll brothers in the Sonic Power Pops get a big shout out for their individual contributions and/or all-around swellness. No less clutch (or swell) are my colleagues and Queens cool kids Seema Pai and Chris Gerolimatos, who both contributed.

Finally, of course, thank you to my family, Hazel, Oliver and Chanin, for the amazing love and support and good times.