A LEGENDARY rock star who famously turned down Led Zeppelin and Deep Purple has died aged 75.
Terry Reid, who was endearingly known as ‘Super Lungs’ because of his incredible voice, passed away after a battle with cancer.
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Terry had been forced to postpone a tour last month due to his cancer treatment.
The star was set to take centre stage at the St Ives September Festival on September 18.
A heartfelt announcement was shared on social media in early July, stating: “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.”
Joe Bonamassa led the tributes to much-loved Terry after news of his death broke, reported Uncut.
In a moving social media statement, 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.”
Cambridge-born Terry emerged as a teenage sensation and famously received invitations from legendary acts.
He first came to prominence aged 16, as frontman for soul stompers, Peter Jay & The Jaywalkers.
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His reputation was also cemented during the mid-60s as he notably supported the Rolling Stones during their 1966 tour.
It was during this period that he nearly found himself recruited by Zeppelin’s Jimmy Page.
Going solo, he was managed by Mickie Most, releasing his debut album, Bang Bang, You’re Terry Reid, in 1968.
Reflecting on the proposition, Terry 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.”
Terry also had an offer to replace Rod Evans in Deep Purple.
Looking back on the Deep Purple invitation, he recalled: “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.”
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