Terry Reid, Superlungs as he’s affectionately known, is without doubt one of the greatest rock/soul voices the UK has ever produced. A Terry Reid concert should be a cherished memory for any self-respecting fan of the greats of modern music.
The legend is of turning down the front man’s job with Led Zeppelin, recommending his mate Robert Plant instead, a similar offer and rebuff to Deep Purple; of Aretha Franklin’s statement that The Beatles, Rolling Stones and Terry Reid were the best England had to offer in 1968, of two World Tours with The Rolling Stones, US tours with Cream, UK tours with Jethro Tull and Fleetwood Mac, The Isle of White Festival in 1969 and Glastonbury in 1970, playing at Mick Jagger’s wedding, then soured record deals and leaving Britain for America nearly 40 years ago.
All true, but the full story includes numerous collaborations with Graham Nash, who produced Reid’s 1976 album Seed of Memory; covers of Reid songs by Marianne Faithfull, The Hollies, The Raconteurs (the hugely popular Rich Kid Blues), Cheap Trick and in 2012 Rumer included Brave Awakening on her album Boys Don’t Cry.
Reid songs have featured on film soundtracks, including a song in George Clooney’s film Up In The Air and several tracks on Rob Zombie’s The Devil’s Rejects.
With the recent re-mastering and re-release of the albums The River, Rogue Waves and Seed of Memory and a new generation of fans which includes the likes of Jake Bugg, Rumer and Michael Kiwanuka, it’s clear that there is an undeniable resurgence in recognition for this outstanding vocalist and songwriter and 2016 looks set to be another successful year.
