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Terry Reid, who venerated by artists such as Aretha Franklin and Mick Jagger, British singers and guitarist, died at the age of 75as “The Guardian” reports.
“Supertion” with cult status and legend status
A spokesman confirmed his death without calling a precise cause of death. Reid recently suffered from cancer and other health problems. According to a current Gofundme campaign, he had to cancel a planned six-week tour due to several hospital stays.
Reid, known as the “supertion”, published five albums between 1968 and 1978. Despite the lack of chart placements, he was praised by critics and admired by music colleagues. His voice was considered powerful and soulful-a quality that earned him his nickname, also based on his version of the Donovan song “Supertion My Supergirl”.
In the late 1960s he toured as a opening act for the Rolling Stones and Cream. In 1968 Aretha Franklin said about him: “In England, only three things happen: the Rolling Stones, the Beatles and Terry Reid.”
Robert Plant remembers times together
Robert plans Reid on Instagram Tribute: “His enthusiasm and encouragement were incredible … We crashed our gigs, played our gigs again and again … he had so much charisma … his voice, his reach … He catapulted me into a new world that he himself rejected … I now hear ‘River’ and forget a tear.”
“River”, Reid’s 1973 album, is the highlight of his work. It combines progressive folk with R&B, funk, pop and samba. Although it was unsuccessful when it was published, it developed into a cult classic over the years and was reissued in 2016.
An album finds its audience late
“I just did my thing, blues, rock, influences,” Reid told “The Guardian” in 2024. “But Atlantic didn’t really support me. Now people tell me how much they love ‘river’ – I think the album has found its audience.”
Reid’s songs were often recorded by other artists, especially without expression, which he wrote at 14. It was covered by the Hollies, Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young, Reo Speedwagon and John Mellencamp.
Graham Nash: “A talent beyond all words”
Graham Nash wrote: “I am stunned by the death of my friend Terry. We were still laughing in my tour bus a few months ago. This voice, this guitar play, this wonderful person – we will miss him painfully.” Nash produced Reid’s album “Seed of Memory” (1976), which is considered another highlight of his catalog.
Born in Cambridgeshire, England, Reid started songwriting as a teenager. In 1965 he was brought into his band by Peter Jay. Shortly afterwards he toured through London and performed with the Stones, Ike & Tina Turner and the Yardbirds.
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In 1967 he started his solo career – encouraged by Jimi Hendrix and looked after by producer/manager Mickie Most. His debut album “Bang, Bang You’re Terry Reid” was published in 1968, when he was just 18.
He later said: “I wanted to do my own thing … I contributed half the band – that’s enough.”
Dispute, withdrawal and a late comeback
After two albums, Reid quarreled with Most. It was only after years of legal dispute that he was able to record “River”. This was followed by “Seed of Memory” (1976) and “Rogue Waves” (1978) before he largely retired from the spotlight. He moved to California and worked in the eighties as a session musician for Ua Don Henley, Bonnie Raitt and Jackson Browne.
In 1991 Reid tried a comeback with the album “The Driver”. The song “Gimme Some Lovin ‘” occurred in the “Days of Thunder” soundtrack, but was unsuccessful. Reid later described the album as “inaudible”.
Late appreciation by new generations
In the following years he published several live albums and toured regularly. His old songs received new attention – for example by DJ Shadow, Alabama 3 or Jack White’s band The Raconteurs (Rich Kid Blues). Chris Cornell covered “to be treated rite” on his posthumous album “No one Sings Like You Anymore, Vol. 1”.
Reid also said that Dr. Dre a big fan of “Seed of Memory” was and recorded with him studio versions of the album – these have so far remained unpublished.
Music as a calling, not as a career
“For me, music was never about fame or wealth,” said Reid. “I am part of a musician community. To be able to sing-that was always my dream.”