The music world mourns the loss of Terry Reid, who has died after a battle with cancer aged 75. The renowned artist, who famously turned down the opportunity to be part of Led Zeppelin and was endearingly dubbed Super Lungs for his powerful vocal ability, had recently postponed a tour due to his ongoing cancer treatment. Reid 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."
The statement continued with well-wishes for Reid's recovery: "We wish Terry a speedy recovery back to good health and will provide details about rescheduled dates for 2026 in due course." Guitar virtuoso Joe Bonamassa has led the heartfelt tributes to the late singer, who died aged 75. In an emotional post on social media, Bonamassa expressed his sorrow: "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," reports the Mirror.
Following Terry's death, heartfelt tributes have flooded in from devoted fans worldwide. One supporter declared: "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."
Another admirer penned: "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," expressed a third mourner. A fourth devastated fan added: "My heart goes out to you, his family, and a lifetime of fans."
After Terry's tour cancellation was announced, his inner circle established a GoFundMe campaign to address the "overwhelming" financial burden and mounting medical expenses.
The organisers explained: "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 continued: "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."
Cambridge-born Terry emerged as a teenage sensation and found himself with the world as his oyster, receiving invitations to front numerous legendary acts, including the legendary Led Zeppelin and an opportunity to step in for Rod Evans in Deep Purple.
His reputation was also cemented during the mid-60s through his work with Peter Jay and the Jaywalkers, notably supporting the Rolling Stones during their 1966 tour. It was precisely during this period that he nearly found himself recruited by Zeppelin's Jimmy Page.
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."
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. 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."
