Musician Terry Reid has died at the age of 75.
The singer-songwriter who was nicknamed ‘Superlungs’ famously turned down an offer to join the bands Led Zeppelin and Deep Purple.
He passed away following a battle with cancer, his UK representative confirmed on Tuesday. He is survived by his wife Annette.
His death comes after he was forced to postpone a tour last month due to his cancer treatment. The tour was set to begin in Wolverhampton on September 11.
A statement on his social media in July read: ‘Due to medical issues arising from recent treatment for cancer Terry has had to postpone his autumn 2025 UK, Irish and Norway.
‘Terry is especially upset about this as his 2024 tour was so successful and he had been looking forward to playing some new towns and venues plus old faves, as well as his first ever dates in Norway.’
Musician Terry Reid has died at the age of 75 (seen performing in California in 2019)
The singer-songwriter who was nicknamed ‘Superlungs’ famously turned down an offer to join the bands Led Zeppelin and Deep Purple (seen in 1960)
And just seven days ago on his Instagram account he shared an image of funding for his ‘brave health battle’.
The caption said: ‘I want to thank everyone from the bottom of my heart. You have no idea how much this means to me, all of the love and support are helping me to heal.’
The star, from Cambridgeshire, was initially part of local group the Redbeats as a teenager.
He then supported Peter Jay and the Jaywalkers and was then asked to join the latter band.
At 16 he was supporting the Rolling Stones on tour where he first noticed by Led Zeppelin’s Jimmy Page.
He told The Guardian last year of turning down a chance to be in the band: ‘I was intent on doing my own thing!’
He also revealed in 2023: ‘I was very friendly with Keith Richards of The Rolling Stones. Keith asked me to support the Stones in the States, but then shortly afterwards, Jimmy wanted me to join his new band. I was torn.
‘In the end, I put the ball in Jimmy’s court. I said: ‘You’d better speak to Keith and tell him I’m not going.’ But Jimmy bottled it.
‘He said: ‘I’m not having him shoot me in the f***ing leg. Even then, Keith had a reputation. So I ended up going to America with the Stones. I even played with them at Altamont.’
His death comes after he was forced to postpone a tour last month due to his cancer treatment. It was set to begin in Wolverhampton on September 11
A statement on his social media in July read: ‘Due to medical issues arising from recent treatment for cancer Terry has had to postpone his autumn 2025 UK, Irish and Norway’
Just seven days ago on his Instagram account he shared an image of funding for his ‘brave health battle’
The star, from Cambridgeshire, was initially part of local group the Redbeats as a teenager
At 16 he was supporting the Rolling Stones on tour where he first noticed by Led Zeppelin’s Jimmy Page
Terry also turned down Ritchie Blackmore’s offer to be Deep Purple’s lead singer, saying: ‘It was very flattering. Ritchie was one hell of a guitar player.’
He then signed a management and recording deal with Mickie Most, who oversaw his first two studio albums.
After his death this week tributes flooded in including from fellow musician Joe Bonamassa.
Bonamassa said: ‘Goodbye my friend. It was an honour to get to know you as friend and a musical mentor.
‘I will miss our hangs and stories in Palm Springs. One of the greatest to ever do it and a beautiful person and soul.
‘Rest in peace Terry Reid. My deepest condolences to his family on this terrible day.’
Fans were also devastated at his death as one penned on social media: ‘I wish there was somewhere I could lay flowers for you Terry.
He told The Guardian last year of turning it down: ‘I was intent on doing my own thing!’
He then signed a management and recording deal with Mickie Most, who oversaw his first two studio albums
‘Tonight I will light a candle and let your voice flow through the house. You will rest in peace as you have brought us so much.’
Another said: ‘R.I.P you shining star.’
A third penned: ‘Thank you for every note, every word, every feeling. Your voice carried something pure — something that stays. Rest easy, Terry. You gave us so much.’
