Terry Reid—a vibrant British singer-songwriter and guitarist whose powerful voice earned him the nickname “Superlungs”—has passed away at the age of 75 after a battle with cancer. His death was confirmed by multiple outlets, with his UK representative stating he had been undergoing treatment in recent months .
Reid’s career began in the early 1960s, when he joined Peter Jay & The Jaywalkers at just 16 and later supported the Rolling Stones on their 1966 UK tour . His performances soon caught the attention of music legends, and he quickly became known for his soulful, emotive singing.
Despite his talent, Reid famously turned down the offer to front what would become Led Zeppelin, recommending Robert Plant and John Bonham instead—saying he’d rather be remembered for launching the band than joining it himself . He also declined a similar offer from Deep Purple .
In 1968 Reid released his debut solo album Bang Bang, You’re Terry Reid, quickly followed by a second self-titled LP. Creative differences with his manager Mickie Most slowed his output, but his 1973 album River—produced by Tom Dowd—received critical acclaim and is still considered a masterpiece by fans .
Over the years, Reid continued recording—including Seed of Memory, Rogue Waves, and The Driver—while establishing himself as a sought-after session musician. He worked with artists such as Jackson Browne, Bonnie Raitt, and Graham Nash, and his songs were later covered by artists including Crosby, Stills & Nash, Chris Cornell, Marianne Faithfull, Cheap Trick, and Jack White’s Raconteurs .
Tributes poured in upon news of his death, with blues-rock star Joe Bonamassa calling Reid “one of the greatest to ever do it and a beautiful person and soul” .
Terry Reid never scored huge chart hits, but his influence rippled through generations of musicians. Aretha Franklin once declared, “There are only three things happening in England: The Rolling Stones, The Beatles and Terry Reid” .
Reid is survived by his wife, Annette. As his fans, collaborators, and music lovers mourn, they remember not only a commanding voice, but a man who always chose authenticity over easy fame—a true artist to the end.
