Robert Plant has honoured the late Terry Reid, who rejected the chance to join Led Zeppelin, and instead chose to put Plant’s name in the hat.
Reid’s death, aged 75, was confirmed on August 5th after a battle with cancer. He was due to begin an extensive tour of the United Kingdom, Ireland and mainland Europe in September, which he cancelled last month due to his ongoing health problems.
Reid’s music career began at age 15 when he left school to join Peter Jay’s Jaywalkers. He then thrust himself into a lifelong love affair with rock ‘n’ roll, which would continue to burn bright for 60 years.
The late singer was a pivotal part of the London scene in the 1960s. He was close friends with Jimi Hendrix and rubbed shoulders with the great stars of the musical movement.
Later, Jimmy Page attempted to recruit Reid for Led Zeppelin, but he instead wanted to focus on his own solo career, and recommended Robert Plant for the role along with drummer John Bonham after he’d seen the pair perform in Band of Joy. Significantly, Reid also shunned Ritchie Blackmore’s offer to front Deep Purple.
Throughout his esteemed career, Reid released seven studio albums, including the 1976 masterpiece Seed of Memory. His decision to reject Led Zeppelin changed the course of rock history and defined his career, as it was the perfect representation of his steadfast attitude. Reid never looked back with regret and was instead proud to carve out a magnificent career on his own terms.
Taking to Instagram, Plant honoured the man who changed his life forever, writing, “Terry Reid’s enthusiasm and encouragement were incredible back then … still teenagers we crashed each others’ gigs and crucified Season of the Witch time and time again … So much fun. So on it. He was all of everything … such charisma.”
Plant continued: “His voice, his range. His songs, capturing that carefree era. Superlungs, indeed. He catapulted me into an intense new world he chose to decline. I listen now to his album The River and shed a tear for my brother in arms.”
Graham Nash has also honoured his late friend, writing, “Finding it hard to put into words how sad I am about the passing of my dear friend Terry. How was it just a few short months ago we were smiling on my bus together?”
Nash, who produced Seed of Memory, described Reid as “such a force” and “a talent beyond what I can express right now.” He added, “It is still one of my proudest moments having produced his beautiful album Seed of Memory. That voice. That guitar playing. That wonderful person we will all miss so dearly.”
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