 The Yardbirds played their final gig in July 1968 at Luton College of Technology in Bedfordshire . They were still committed to several concerts in Scandinavia , so drummer Jim McCarty and vocalist Keith Relf authorised Page and bassist Chris Dreja to use " the Yardbirds " name to fulfill the band 's obligations . Page and Dreja began putting a new line @-@ up together . Page 's first choice for the lead singer was Terry Reid , but Reid declined the offer and suggested Robert Plant , a singer for the Band of Joy and Hobbstweedle . Plant eventually accepted the position , recommending former Band of Joy drummer John Bonham . Jones inquired about the vacant position at the suggestion of his wife after Dreja dropped out of the project to become a photographer . Page had known Jones since they were both session musicians and agreed to let him join as the final member . 
