Known as ‘Superlungs’, Reid turned down the role of frontman in Led Zeppelin and Deep Purple to focus on solo career
Terry Reid, the British musician whose soaring and soulful voice earned him the nickname “Superlungs”, and whose career intersected with the likes of the Rolling Stones and Jimmy Page, has died aged 75, as confirmed by his UK representative. He had been receiving cancer treatment in recent months.
Reid never had a hit on the UK charts, but albums such as 1973’s River remain critically acclaimed, and he was held in such high esteem that he was courted by Led Zeppelin and Deep Purple to be those bands’ lead singer, but turned each of them down. Aretha Franklin stated in 1968: “There are only three things happening in England: the Rolling Stones, the Beatles and Terry Reid.”
Born and raised in Cambridgeshire, Reid was a singer, guitarist and songwriter from his early teens, initially with local group the Redbeats. After supporting Peter Jay and the Jaywalkers, Reid was asked to join the latter band. By 16, he was supporting the Rolling Stones on tour along with Ike & Tina Turner and the Yardbirds, and after breaking away as a solo artist (and befriending Jimi Hendrix), Reid supported the Stones again around the US.
