Terry Reid, the renowned British singer who famously declined offers to join both Led Zeppelin and Deep Purple, has passed away at the age of 75. His recent battle with cancer had led him to undergo treatments in recent months.

Born on November 13, 1949, in St. Neots, England, Reid began his musical journey performing in British clubs during the early 1960s. He gained initial recognition as part of the band Peter Jay and the Jaywalkers, which had the honor of opening for the legendary Rolling Stones.

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By the close of the 1960s, Reid was invited by the Stones to showcase his talents as a solo artist, opening for some of their most prestigious performances. During this dynamic period, he earned the nickname Superlungs due to his impressive vocal range, sharing the stage with iconic acts such as Cream, Fleetwood Mac, and Jethro Tull.

In 1968, as Jimmy Page was putting together the New Yardbirds following the departure of singer Keith Relf, he invited Reid to join the rebranded group, which would soon be known as Led Zeppelin. However, Reid was on tour with the Rolling Stones and opted not to leave his current engagements, proposing instead that Page consider the talents of Robert Plant and John Bonham, whom he had recently toured with as part of the Band of Joy.

Shortly thereafter, guitarist Ritchie Blackmore approached Reid with an invitation to join Deep Purple, following the exit of their original vocalist, Rod Evans. Ultimately, Reid chose to focus on his burgeoning solo career, leading to Ian Gillan stepping into the role.

What Makes Terry Reid a Legendary Figure in Music?

Throughout his illustrious career, Reid released more than six solo albums, beginning with his debut in 1968, titled Bang, Bang You’re Terry Reid. His most critically acclaimed work, 1973’s River, received renewed attention in 2016 when previously unreleased tracks from those recording sessions were unveiled in the collection The Other Side of the River.

By the early 1980s, Reid transitioned into a full-time session vocalist, collaborating with prominent artists such as Don Henley, Bonnie Raitt, and The Replacements. His plans for a tour earlier this year were unfortunately canceled after he disclosed his cancer diagnosis.

His songwriting legacy includes numerous tracks covered by fellow musicians and later admirers, including Jackson Browne, Cheap Trick, Chris Cornell, Crosby, Stills & Nash, The Hollies, and Jack White. In the late 1960s, during her peak fame, Aretha Franklin famously remarked, “There are only three things happening in England: the Rolling Stones, the Beatles, and Terry Reid.”

One of Reid’s final contributions to music was recorded in 2024 for the Cardboard Sessions, a unique project where musicians perform using a guitar crafted from cardboard. His performance is available for viewing in the series linked below.

Watch Terry Reid on ‘Cardboard Sessions’