British rock icon Terry Reid, known as 'Superlungs,' dies at 75

USA Today

a day ago

Singer-songwriter and guitarist Terry Reid, a British powerhouse once courted by rock titans Led Zeppelin and Deep Purple, has died. He was 75.
Reid's death was confirmed to USA TODAY on Tuesday, Aug. 5, in a statement from his record label, Cleopatra Records, with the company sharing it was "deeply saddened by the passing of our friend and collaborator Terry Reid." The date of Reid's death, nor the singer's cause of death, was disclosed.
"Terry wasn't just a legend — he was a true original," the statement read. "His voice had that rare magic that could shake a room or break your heart in a single note. But beyond the voice, Terry was warm, funny, and utterly himself— always. Working with him was never just business; it was a pleasure, a lesson, and often, a bit of beautiful chaos."
In recent months, Reid had been "courageously battling cancer as well as numerous other serious health issues," according to a GoFundMe page set up on the singer's behalf in July.
A fall tour was postponed due to his ailing health.
Born in St Neots, England, in November 1949 to Walter and Grace Reid, Reid's vocal prowess was apparent from an early age. As a child, Reid would accompany his mother, who worked a seasonal job as a fruit picker, to the local orchards, where he would sing pop songs for the workers as he sat atop a fruit crate, according to a biography on Reid's official website.
Reid entered the professional music world in his teens, joining rock band Peter Jay and the Jaywalkers at age 15. During this time, Reid was introduced to music producer Mickie Most, who'd worked with acts such as the Animals, Donovan and Herman's Hermits.
As a member of the Jaywalkers, Reid embarked on a joint tour of the U.K. in 1966, featuring a who's who of rock 'n' roll royalty that included The Rolling Stones, Ike and Tina Turner, and The Yardbirds. When The Yardbirds disbanded, Reid was drafted by guitarist Jimmy Page for his next group, The New Yardbirds, which would later become hard rock outfit Led Zeppelin.
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Reid, who was readying to record his debut album and go on tour with The Rolling Stones, turned down the lead vocalist gig with The New Yardbirds and instead suggested his singing peer Robert Plant, who would go on to become the iconic frontman of Led Zeppelin.
"It was a perfect combination," Reid reflected in a 2007 interview with The Independent. "Who's to say what would have happened if Jim and I had got a band? It might have been a bloody failure."
The sought-after rock vocalist also famously passed on an offer to replace Rod Evans, lead singer of the British heavy metal band Deep Purple. "It was very flattering. Ritchie (Blackmore) was one hell of a guitar player," Reid told The Independent.
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Reid released his solo debut album, "Bang, Bang You're Terry Reid," in 1968 and quickly followed it up with his self-titled sophomore album in 1969. The pop-rock record featured the Donovan-penned track "Superlungs My Supergirl," which gave Reid his musical moniker "Superlungs."
Reid's songs have been covered by a wide range of artists, including The Hollies; Crosby, Stills & Nash; Cheap Trick; Marianne Faithfull; and Jack White's band The Raconteurs.
"Over the years, we had the honor of collaborating on several projects, each one touched by his soul and spirit," Cleopatra Records said in its statement. "Whether reimagining classic songs or lending his voice to new sounds, Terry brought something timeless and uniquely his own."
The statement concluded: "We'll miss the stories, the laughter, and the late-night calls filled with passion and wild ideas. Terry lived music. He was music. And we're grateful for every moment we got to share with him."
Reid is survived by his wife Annette.