Terry Reid remembered as ‘beautiful person and soul’
After his death aged 75, musician Terry Reid has been remembered as a “beautiful person and soul”.
Terry Reid has been remembered as a “beautiful person and soul”.
The legendary rock singer famously known as ‘Super Lungs’ who once turned down offers from Led Zeppelin and Deep Purple died aged 75, it emerged on Tuesday (05.08.25.)
Leading tributes was guitarist Joe Bonamassa, who issued a statement saying about Terry: “One of the greatest to ever do it and a beautiful person and soul.”
He added in his social media tribute: “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. Rest in peace Terry Reid. My deepest condolences to his family on this terrible day.”
Born in Cambridge, Terry first rose to fame as a teenager, fronting soul group Peter Jay and The Jaywalkers before supporting The Rolling Stones on their 1966 US tour.
He was noted for his incredible vocal power, which earned him the nickname ‘Super Lungs’.
His debut solo album, Bang Bang, You’re Terry Reid (1968), released under Mickie Most’s management, cemented his place in the rock pantheon.
Terry’s career was marked by near-misses with some of rock’s biggest names.
Reflecting in 2023 on his decision to turn down Jimmy Page’s Led Zeppelin, Terry said: “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****** leg.’ Even then, Keith had a reputation. So I ended up going to America with the Stones. I even played with them at Altamont.”
Terry also revealed he was offered the chance to replace Rod Evans in Deep Purple.
He added: “I’m not sure what frame I was in when I was asked. I think it was when Ritchie was doing it at the beginning. Or maybe afterwards. Or maybe inbetween. I had gone to California and it’s all a bit vague. But Blackmore was a brilliant guitar player, wasn’t he? I saw him in Screaming Lord Sutch’s Savages. Sutch used to chase him around the stage with an axe.”
The singer was forced to postpone his 2025 autumn tour across the UK, Ireland and Norway due to his cancer treatment, including a planned appearance at the St Ives September Festival.
A statement in early July said: “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.”
