The life and times of Terry Reid, who turned down Led Zep and now records with Johnny Depp

Guitar.com ^ | 9/09/19 | Elliot Stephen Cohen

[DallasBiff]

“I expect better things of you than to ask me a question like that. That’s wicked, man,” fumes Terry Reid, when asked if after all these years he ever lies in bed wondering what would have happened if he had accepted Jimmy Page’s offer to join a new band he was putting together… one that turned into one of the biggest in rock history.

“I don’t sit around going over old coals, ‘Oh, if only I’d have joined Led Zeppelin.’ I have a career. I can’t put up with bullshit.”

However, in the 50 years since, Reid has been asked the Zeppelin question many times, as well as being quizzed on why he turned down the chance to front Deep Purple. His frustration is understandable – after all, Terry Reid is regarded as one of the finest vocalists Britain has ever produced, and he’s got the all-star endorsement to back it up.

[DallasBiff]

I know a big what if, and there are plenty of Zeppelin crtics on FR, and to the youngins on FR, Zeppelin were huge in the 70's.

Flame away and mods pull if inappropriate, have fun.

[crusty old prospector]

I think we all have had a brush with greatness.

[montag813]

I saw Led Zep near the end. There were always an incredible studio band, because both Page and Jones had long time studio roots. But they were always inferior in concert.

[FlingWingFlyer]

Harriz/Walzy proved that “endorsements” aren’t worth a chit.

[V_TWIN]

He shoulda got with Pete Best and started their own group......coulda called themselves “The Never Was band”. LOL!

[SunkenCiv]

Terry Reid - Dean | 4:45
floggingmolly265 | 592 subscribers | 201,576 views | August 1, 2009

[ClearCase_guy]

Or they could have named themselves the “What Can Be” as a way to unburden themselves of these questions. It would be a way to say “What Has Been?”

[Brasky]

Never heard of him. I had to look him on Wikipedia. Seems like he was the guy that told Page to check out Robert Plant who was in a band with John Bonham. The rest is history. Leading to what is arguably the best rock band in history.

[SunkenCiv]

btw, I could have sworn I’d posted a Reid track in one of the Musical Interlude topics, but couldn’t turn it up. Now I have. :^)

Seed Of Memory (full album)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V8RTGhe4nzU&list=PLED66EE788E348A87

[Cletus.D.Yokel]

Arguably.
Quite so, chap.

[Made In The USA]

What a cool story, never heard of Reid before and his story about the origin of LZ a great read.

[Robert DeLong]

Of perhaps the Almost Was Band, because to this day they still are The Never Was Band.

Terry Reid - Seeds Of Memory

[God luvs America]

The irony is Robert Plant was living with Terry Reid’s parents before he joined Led Zeppelin. ...the Greatest. Band. Ever!!

[BradyLS]

I get it. You got your own thing going and trying to get it off the ground. Then some guy calls you and asks you to give up what you’ve got going to be a part of the thing _he’s_ trying to start!

Do I do my own thing and keep that gig going and wait for it to catch fire? Or do I give up my gig and try to help some other guy get _his_ gig going?

“You gotta believe in yourself, man! Don’t give up your big dream just for a slim slice of somebody else’s!”

That’s what the big dogs tell us!

“Oooh, maaan! You coulda been in ‘Zep??? Dude! What were you thinking???”

“#####” [*I was thinking that if i believed in myself, I could be Terry Reid Superstar! Not Jimmy Page’s vocalist! There was no ‘Led Zeppelin’ back then when he called!*]

[God luvs America]

Completely disagree. Their songs to on a whole new life on stage and most were elevated. One of the main reasons they chose to break up after Bonzo died.

And yes- I saw them in 77 as well as two reunions

[woodbutcher1963]

I had tickets to see them at Rich Stadium in Orchard Park, NY(home of the Buffalo Bills). One of the band members child died(or something like that) and they cancelled the tour.

[DallasBiff]

Hey Civ, thank you for the reply, and I appreciate and respect your historical perspective.

[SunkenCiv]

Nice work, DB, you got the ball rollin’!

I wound up ordering a collection online about an hour ago, as I listened to that Seeds of Memory playlist.

[BipolarBob]

Those who hate on Led Zeppelin don’t have a Whole Lotta Love.

[DJ Frisat]

I saw Terry Reid at the Grande Ballroom in Detroit, circa ‘69 or ‘70. He had the pipes and could’ve sung the same songs Plant did, although Plant made other contributions to them that could have made them turn out different.

Terry was a good lookin’ young guy at the time, wrote much of his own material and was the sole guitarist in his trio. (Guitar, drums, Hammond organ)

I enjoyed his early work, having first heard it performed live. And man - was he loud! His high register voice and bright Fender Telecaster made my eardrums feel like they were clapping together during his screaming high notes.