Terry Reid dead: Musician who turned down Led Zeppelin dies aged 75

Musician Terry Reid has died following a battle with cancer. The hitmaker, who rejected the chance to join Led Zeppelin and was known affectionately as Super Lungs for his voice, had been forced to postpone a tour last month due to his cancer treatment. The musician had been scheduled to headline at St Ives September Festival on September 18.

Taking to social media at the start of July, a statement 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.

"We wish Terry a speedy recovery back to good health and will provide details about rescheduled dates for 2026 in due course." Joe Bonamassa has led the tributes to the late star, who died at the age of 75. In a moving social media statement, Bonamassa said: "Goodbye my friend. It was an honor 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."

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Since the news of Terry's death, tributes have poured in from fans across the globe. One said: "F**k, Terry was awesome.. I'm happy the legacy of his amazing guitar will live on through you… dammit, it's actually so sad to hear." A second went on to write: "A sad day, but he leaves an incredible legacy. A very nice tribute Joe."

"My condolences to you and Terry’s family. The guitar will live on and serve as a link to Terry," said a third. Meanwhile, a fourth heartbroken fan responded: "My heart goes out to you, his family, and a lifetime of fans." Following the news that Terry's tour had to be postponed, those closest to him launched a GoFundMe page due to the "overwhelming" financial strain and medical bills.

They said: "Over the past several months, Terry has been courageously battling cancer as well as numerous other serious health issues. His fight has been quiet and brave, but it has also come at a great personal cost. He's been in and out of the hospital, enduring rounds of treatment and uncertainty — and, most recently, was forced to cancel his long-anticipated six-week tour. The financial strain has become overwhelming, and the medical bills are mounting by the day."

They went on to write: "This GoFundMe is a way for those who love him, have been moved by his music, or simply want to support a fellow human being in a difficult time, to give back. Whether you’re a lifelong fan or a friend who’s stood beside him onstage, backstage or in the audience — every donation, message, and gesture of love makes a real difference.

"Terry's spirit remains strong, and he's deeply grateful for the outpouring of care he's already received. With your help, we hope to ease the financial burden of his treatment, support his recovery, and make sure he can focus on healing — not hospital bills. Terry has every intention of returning to the stage and to all of his beloved fans. Let’s all stand beside him and fight."

Born in Cambridge, Terry became a teenage prodigy and had the world at his feet with offers to front a string of legendary bands, including the iconic band Led Zeppelin and an offer to replace Rod Evans in Deep Purple.

He had also been known for his influence in the mid-60s, with Peter Jay and the Jaywalkers, having supported the Rolling Stones on their tour in 1966. It was during this time, that he was almost recruited by Zepplin's Jimmy Page.

Speaking about the offer, Terry said 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."

Reflecting on being asked to join Deep Purple, he said: "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. But Ritchie never used to miss a note, and that ain’t an easy thing to do. Not when you're about to be beheaded. Blackmore had a terrible job being a member of that band."

The Macmillan Support Line offers confidential support to people living with cancer and their loved ones. If you need to talk, call us on 0808 808 0000.

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