Terry Reid, Legendary Musician Who Turned Down Led Zeppelin, Dies at 75 originally appeared on Parade.
Terry Reid, the iconic British singer and guitarist known for turning down lead singer roles with legendary bands Led Zeppelin and Deep Purple, has passed away at the age of 75.
Reid had recently canceled tour dates due to health complications related to cancer treatment, according to an official statement.
Known as “Superlungs” for his powerful vocals, Reid began his musical journey with a local band in Cambridgeshire called The Redbeats. By just 16-years-old, Reid was already touring with major acts including The Rolling Stones, Ike & Tina Turner and The Yardbirds.
After launching his solo career and befriending guitar legend Jimi Hendrix, Reid again supported The Rolling Stones on their U.S. tour.
Jimmy Page, guitarist for The Yardbirds, admired Reid’s talent and invited him to join a new band he was forming. Reid declined, committed to The Stones’ U.S. tour. Instead, he recommended Robert Plant and John Bonham — both of whom joined Page to form Led Zeppelin.
Reflecting on the choice, Reid toldThe Guardianin 2024, “I was intent on doing my own thing. I contributed half the band – that’s enough on my part!”
His reputation was so strong that both Led Zeppelin and Deep Purple courted him as their lead singer. In 1969, Reid turned down an offer from Ritchie Blackmore to front Deep Purple after Rod Evans’s departure.
Reid later said, “It was very flattering. Ritchie was one hell of a guitar player.” Ian Gillan ultimately became Deep Purple’s vocalist.
Over his career, Reid released more than seven solo albums, beginning with 1968’s Bang, Bang You’re Terry Reid. His most celebrated work, River, saw renewed attention in 2016 with the release of The Other Side of the River, featuring previously unreleased tracks.
By the 1980s, Reid transitioned into a sought-after session vocalist, collaborating with artists such as Don Henley, Bonnie Raitt and The Replacements.
Reid’s influence and unique voice earned him praise from legends like Aretha Franklin, who famously said in 1968, “There are only three things happening in England: The Rolling Stones, The Beatles, and Terry Reid.”
Terry Reid, Legendary Musician Who Turned Down Led Zeppelin, Dies at 75 first appeared on Parade on Aug 5, 2025
This story was originally reported by Parade on Aug 5, 2025, where it first appeared.
