The late singer was revered by Mick Jagger, Jimmy Page and Aretha Franklin for his immense vocal talent.
Terry Reid, the British musician also known as “Superlungs”, has passed away at the age of 75. He had been receiving cancer treatments in recent months, as confirmed by his representative.
The late singer was a powerhouse vocalist, netting him acclaim from some of the industry’s most acclaimed artists. Mick Jagger, Aretha Franklin and Jimmy Page all spoke highly of his craft. In 1986, Franklin famously said, “There are only three things happening in England: the Rolling Stones, the Beatles, and Terry Reid”.
Reid’s voice was well sought after in Britain’s early rock scene. Famously, both Led Zeppelin and Deep Purple sought to recruit the singer into their bands.
Led Zeppelin’s Robert Plant shared a tribute on Instagram, writing:
“Terry Reid’s enthusiasm and encouragement were incredible back then … still teenagers we crashed each others’ gigs and crucified Season of the Witch time and time again … So much fun. So on it. He was all of everything … such charisma.”
“His voice, his range … his songs capturing that carefree era … Superlungs indeed. He catapulted me into an intense new world he chose to decline … I listen now to his album The River and shed a tear for my brother in arms.”
Reid was scouted by Jimmy Page in 1968, when the late singer was only 18. He had just released his debut album, Bang, Bang You’re Terry Reid, which made waves among the local British music community. Page, who was still the guitarist for Yardbirds at this time, asked Reid to join his next band: Led Zeppelin. Reid would decline but instead suggested Robert Plant and John Bonham from the group Band of Joy.
The late singer would also later decline an offer to join Ritchie Blackmore’s Deep Purple a year later, sharing, “I was intent on doing my own thing,” he said.
In 1973, Reid released his third studio album The River, blending progressive folk with R&B, funk, pop and samba. The album garnered a dedicated fan base but struggled to find a broader audience to appreciate it. Reid would later claim that his record label Atlantic failed to market him, telling The Guardian, “Atlantic didn’t really get behind me. Now people tell me how much they love River – I think it’s found its audience.”
While Reid’s solo career never found the same acclaim, his solo albums would become favourites for crate diggers and samplers like DJ Shadow and Alabama 3. Legendary rock icons Jack White, Chris Cornell and Marianne Faithfull would also cover the late artist’s tracks.
Reid would also collaborate with Dr Dre, who was a big fan of the singer’s album Seed of Memory and would invite Reid to rework the project alongside a group of other rappers. Reid would tell The Guardian he loved the opportunity, calling it “a fascinating experience”.
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