British musician Terry Reid, who turned down offers to join Led Zeppelin and Deep Purple, has died at age 75.
His death was confirmed by his representative on Tuesday, according to The Guardian. An official cause of death was not given, though Reid was being treated for cancer in the months before his death.
A recent GoFundMe set up to help the “proud, private and profoundly humble” musician said Reid had been “in and out of the hospital, enduring rounds of treatment and uncertainty,” which forced him to cancel a six-week tour that was scheduled for the fall.
The rocker known as “Superlungs” spent the majority of his career working as a solo artist, though he also toured with the Rolling Stones, Cream, Ike & Tina Turner, Fleetwood Mac and the Yardbirds.
In 1968, the same year Reid released his debut album, Yardbirds guitarist Jimmy Page asked him if he would be interested in becoming the frontman for the new band he was forming. Reid considered the offer but ultimately turned him down, citing prior commitments with the Rolling Stones.
Though he didn’t accept the gig, Reid instead recommended Band of Joy singer Robert Plant and drummer John Bonham, both whom then joined Page in forming Led Zeppelin.
In the decades since, Reid maintained had no regrets about saying no to the opportunity.
“I was intent on doing my own thing,” he told the Guardian in 2024. “I contributed half the band — that’s enough on my part!”
He also similarly turned down an offer from Ritchie Blackmore to be the lead singer of Deep Purple following Rod Evans’ departure in 1969.
Throughout his solo career, Reid released six studio albums and while none of them were commercial hits, he was esteemed among his peers. A song he wrote when he was just 14 years old called “Without Expression” has been covered by artists including John Mellencamp, REO Speedwagon and Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young.
Chris Cornell, Marianne Faithfull and Jack White’s band The Raconteurs have also covered Reid’s tunes, according to The Guardian.
Reid joked in 2007 that despite not having enjoyed the success of many of his peers, “I’m a legend in me own yard… It’s a big yard, though.”
Following news of Reid’s death, tributes poured in across social media from fans and friends alike.
Plant mourned Reid on Instagram, remembering “his voice, his range … his songs capturing that carefree era … Superlungs indeed.”
“He catapulted me into an intense new world he chose to decline,” Plant wrote. “I listen now to his album ‘River’ and shed a tear for my brother in arms.”
Reid is survived by his wife, Annette.
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