British rock vocalist Terry Reid, known by the moniker “Superlungs” for his powerful voice, died August 5 at age 75 following a battle with cancer. The musician’s death was confirmed by his record label Cleopatra Records on Tuesday, August 5, though no specific cause of death was disclosed.
Reid had been courageously battling cancer and numerous other serious health issues in recent months, according to a GoFundMe page established in July. The singer was forced to postpone his fall 2025 tour due to his deteriorating health, including scheduled dates in the United Kingdom, Ireland and Norway.
Born in St Neots, England, in November 1949 to Walter and Grace Reid, the musician displayed vocal prowess from childhood. Reid would accompany his mother to local orchards where she worked as a seasonal fruit picker, singing pop songs for workers while sitting atop fruit crates.
Reid entered professional music at age 15 when he joined rock band Peter Jay and the Jaywalkers. Through this connection, he was introduced to music producer Mickie Most, who had worked with acts including the Animals, Donovan and Herman’s Hermits. As a Jaywalkers member, Reid embarked on a 1966 United Kingdom tour featuring The Rolling Stones, Ike and Tina Turner, and The Yardbirds.
When The Yardbirds disbanded, guitarist Jimmy Page recruited Reid for his next group, The New Yardbirds, which would later become Led Zeppelin. However, Reid declined the lead vocalist position as he was preparing to record his debut album and tour with The Rolling Stones. Instead, he suggested fellow singer Robert Plant, who became the iconic frontman of Led Zeppelin.
Reflecting on the decision in a 2007 interview with The Independent, Reid indicated the pairing was perfect and questioned what might have happened if he had joined Page’s band, suggesting it might have been a failure. Reid also famously declined an offer to replace Rod Evans as lead singer of British heavy metal band Deep Purple, telling The Independent that guitarist Ritchie Blackmore was exceptional.
Reid released his solo debut album “Bang, Bang You’re Terry Reid” in 1968, quickly followed by his self-titled sophomore album in 1969. The pop-rock record featured the Donovan-penned track “Superlungs My Supergirl,” which gave Reid his musical nickname. His 1973 album “River” became a critical success, though Reid later claimed Atlantic Records failed to properly market the release.
The musician’s influence extended far beyond his own recordings. Artists including The Hollies, Crosby Stills & Nash, Cheap Trick, Marianne Faithfull, and Jack White’s band The Raconteurs covered Reid’s songs. In the 1980s, Reid transitioned from solo artist to session musician, working with stars like Bonnie Raitt and Don Henley.
Reid’s classic recordings found new audiences through movie soundtracks, appearing in films including Tom Cruise’s “Days of Thunder,” crime saga “Wonderland,” and Rob Zombie’s horror film “The Devil’s Rejects.” These placements introduced his music to newer generations of listeners.
Queen of Soul Aretha Franklin recognized Reid’s talent early, stating in 1968 that only three things were happening in England: The Rolling Stones, The Beatles, and Terry Reid. The assessment proved prescient as Reid’s vocal abilities drew admiration from rock royalty throughout his career.
Following news of Reid’s death, tributes poured in from the music community. Blues guitarist Joe Bonamassa called Reid one of the greatest performers and described him as a beautiful person and soul. Robert Plant shared a lengthy tribute on social media, recalling their teenage years of attending each other’s performances and repeatedly playing “Season of the Witch.”
Plant praised Reid’s voice, range, and charisma while noting that Reid “catapulted me into an intense new world he chose to decline.” The Led Zeppelin frontman concluded by saying he listens to Reid’s album “The River” and sheds tears for his brother in arms.
Cleopatra Records described Reid as more than a legend, calling him a true original whose voice possessed rare magic that could shake a room or break hearts. The label noted that working with Reid was never just business but rather a pleasure, lesson, and often beautiful chaos. “Terry lived music. He was music,” the statement concluded.
Reid is survived by his wife Annette. The musician played his final live performance in September 2024 at the Half Moon in London, marking the end of a career that spanned over five decades and influenced countless artists across multiple generations.
