Influential U.K. Rocker Terry Reid, Who Once Declined the Chance to Front Led Zeppelin, Dead at 75

Terry Reid, the acclaimed British rock singer who once turned down an invitation to join the band that became Led Zeppelin, has died, his rep confirmed to U.K. newspaper The Guardian. Reid, who had been battling cancer and other health issues during the last several months, passed away on August 4. He was 75.

Reid had been scheduled to launch a six-week U.K. tour in September, but he postponed the trek in early July because he was undergoing cancer treatment. A GoFundMe page was launched recently to raise money for his medical bills.

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Born in St. Neots, U.K., Reid was a teenager when he launched his music career, playing in a local group called The Redbeats before joining Peter Jay and the Jaywalkers. Terry’s powerful, soulful voice earned him the nickname “Superlungs.”

Reid began receiving wide notice when The Jaywalkers were tapped to open The Rolling Stones’ 1966 fall British tour. At a show at the Royal Albert Hall in London, Terry befriended Graham Nash, then of The Hollies. After The Jaywalkers signed with the U.K. Columbia record label, the band scored a minor hit in 1967 with “The Hand Don’t Fit the Glove,” although the group had split up by that time.

Reid then began working with acclaimed U.K. producer Mickie Most, whose business partner was future Led Zeppelin manager Peter Grant. Reid’s debut solo album, Bang Bang, You’re Terry Reid, was released in 1968, and that year he toured the U.S. as Cream’s opening act.

About Reid’s Invitation to Join Led Zeppelin and Deep Purple

In 1968, Jimmy Page was putting together what was initially intended to be a new lineup of The Yardbirds. He approached Reid to become the new lead singer, but Terry had already committed to touring as an opening act for both The Rolling Stones and Cream.

Instead, Reid suggested that Page check out a powerful singer he’d seen in concert with the group Band of Joy, and also talked highly of that group’s drummer. Page ended up hiring Robert Plant and John Bonham to become the lead singer and drummer in The New Yardbirds, who soon changed their name to Led Zeppelin.

In 1969, Deep Purple was looking for a new frontman after parting was with original lead singer Rod Evans. Guitarist Ritchie Blackmore approached Reid, but he was still under a management contract with Most and was more interested in continuing to pursue his solo career. Deep Purple wound up hiring Ian Gillan.

Reid’s Falling Out with Most and Beyond

In 1969, Reid toured the U.K. with Fleetwood Mac and Jethro Tull, and the U.S. with The Rolling Stones. He also released his second solo album, a self-titled collection, that year. At the end of 1969, Terry had a falling out with Most over his musical direction.

The conflict hurt the momentum of Reid’s career, as he was unable to release new music for several years. In 1971, Terry was invited to perform at Mick Jagger’s wedding to Bianca Jagger in St. Tropez.

In 1973, Reid signed with Atlantic Records and released his third solo album, River, that year. The album, which was produced by Tom Dowd, received critical acclaim but had little commercial impact.

Reid’s fourth solo album, Seed of Memory, was produced by Nash and recorded in Los Angeles and San Francisco. Graham also contributed harmony vocals to the album.

Terry released his next solo album, Rogue Waves, in 1978. He wouldn’t put out another new studio effort until The Driver in 1991; that record was produced by Trevor Horn. His final solo album, The Other Side of the River, was released in 2016.

Reid also released several live albums over the years.

Work with Other Artists and Songwriting Credits

Throughout his career, Reid also contributed his vocal talents to recordings by many other well-known artists. Among them are Jackson Browne, Bonnie Raitt, UFO, The Replacements, and Aerosmith guitarist Joe Perry. On Perry’s 2018 solo album, Sweetzerland Manifesto, Terry sang and co-wrote three songs.

Reid’s compositions were recorded by many other noteworthy artists, including The Hollies, Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young, Nash solo, REO Speedwagon, Cheap Trick, Marianne Faithfull, John Mellencamp, The Raconteurs, and Chris Cornell.

Terry’s life and career was profiled in the 2015 documentary Superlungs.

(Photo by Robin Little/Redferns)