Robert Plant Remembers Terry Reid — The Man Who Nearly Fronted Led Zeppelin
Robert Plant in an interview - q on cbc / YouTube
Robert Plant recently paid heartfelt tribute to Terry “Superlungs” Reid, the man whose decision helped shape rock history. Reid, who passed away this week, was once offered the role of lead singer for what would become Led Zeppelin — but turned it down, suggesting Plant instead. That fateful choice altered not only Plant’s life but the trajectory of modern rock music.
Plant’s remembrance isn’t just about gratitude; it’s a celebration of Reid’s musical legacy. “His voice, his range. His songs, capturing that carefree era,” Plant said, recalling Reid’s magnetic presence onstage and off. He also noted how their teenage years were filled with spontaneous jams, crashing each other’s gigs, and repeatedly “crucifying” Donovan’s Season of the Witch.
Though many fans know Terry Reid as the man who passed on Led Zeppelin, Plant wants him to be remembered for much more — a brother in arms, a fierce vocalist, and a musician who chose a different path but left an undeniable mark on those who did rise to rock’s summit.
The Man Who Said No to Zeppelin
Terry Reid’s brush with Led Zeppelin lore is the stuff of rock myth. When Jimmy Page was forming a new band in 1968 — initially called the New Yardbirds — he approached Reid about taking up vocal duties. Reid declined, citing prior tour commitments. In some versions of the tale, it was a clash with a tour alongside the Doors and Jefferson Airplane. In others, it was because he was already tied up with the Rolling Stones.
Another version suggests Page was too hesitant to confront Keith Richards about pulling Reid from the Stones’ tour. Still others say it came down to money — Page allegedly couldn’t match what Reid was being paid elsewhere. Regardless of which version is true, Reid passed on the offer and instead recommended two musicians he believed in: Robert Plant and John Bonham.
That simple recommendation changed music history. Reid might’ve declined the spotlight of Zeppelin, but his influence runs deep. Without him, it’s possible the iconic lineup of Plant, Page, Bonham, and Jones would never have come together. Reid made the call, and Plant never forgot it.
Brotherhood, Respect, and What Might Have Been
While Terry Reid’s career took a different path, it wasn’t one of obscurity. He was a fixture on the scene, especially in Los Angeles, where he performed regularly at The Joint. In 2004, Robert Plant joined Reid onstage and offered a moment of touching candor: “This man should have had my life… mind you, I’m not sure he’d want it!” Reid’s quick response — “I wouldn’t mind some of the money!” — was a reminder of his humor and humility.
Their friendship endured across decades, shaped by a shared love for music and mutual admiration. Plant’s recent comments show not just appreciation, but a deep emotional connection. He mourns Reid not just as a musician who helped him rise, but as a fellow artist who chose a different journey — and made peace with it.
Listening to Reid’s The River, Plant reflects on what could have been, but also honors what truly was. “He catapulted me into an intense new world he chose to decline,” Plant said. In his voice, there’s reverence — for a man whose decisions shaped a legend, and whose music still echoes with soul.
View this post on Instagram
