It seems like if this subject is not dealt with, it would keep stubbornly resurfacing, so let's just clear the mud right now.I've only seen one blog entry about Terry Reid where his Led Zeppelin connection was blissfully (and quite intentionally) ignored, because, as the author insisted, Mr. Superlungs is "a legend in his own right." This author, sadly, is in minority. Most folks, even if they only write two lines, make those two lines entirely about the "worst decision in rock history" - how Page approached Reid with the offer to front Led Zeppelin and was turned down. That's all they seem to know about Terry, and jump to what they see a logical conclusion: "How dumb was that?!"
Yes, “dumb” is the easiest thing to say, but… just try to rewind” 40+ years and let’s take an unbiased look.
The Stones have already taken Terry Reid along on a tour before (in 1966), and I remember reading that Mick Jagger and Keith Richards discovered the young vocalist on their own (back in the Jaywalkers days). This time they already knew what they’re getting, and must’ve had a reason to “ask him out” again. As for the studio solo deal, it was with none other than Mickie Most. Some sources suggest that Graham Nash was the one who recommended Reid to Most. Page’s recollection of the events leaves no doubt of the unfortunate – so it seemed – timing: the ink has dried on the 5-album exclusive contract by the time Peter Grant was dispatched to find Terry with the offer to join the New Yardbirds.
In effect, he was spoken for, both studio- and tour-wise, in the nearest future, and not at liberty to accept the proposition. It’s also well known that Jimmy couldn’t wait because he had the Scandinavian tour looming. So what’s a decent man to do with two obligations? Go on to fulfill them, right? Once you sign your name on the dotted line, you’re legally bound and expected to stick to it. Even if you’re only 18. After all, no one seems to be suggesting that Page should’ve ditched his Yardbirds tour commitments and wait till Reid is free again. (And to think of it, he had a better excuse – the band no longer existed, so sorry! Whereas Terry’s would’ve sounded kind of lame: Sorry, Messrs. Most and Richards, an old pal came along and made me change my mind…)
It is ironic that the very same band that has first brought them together * now stood between them. It is ironic that Mickie Most and Peter Grant were partners at RAK, desks facing each other in the office, yet Grant seemed to be unaware that Most had just snapped up Terry right under his nose until Jimmy Page asked him directly to locate the singer.
When Ritchie Blackmore called Terry Reid a year later, asking to join Deep Purple, the same recording contract was in effect, though by that time it might have acquired the appeal of the prison shackles. But that, again, is another story.
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*as far as I know – though this may be inaccurate – Page and Reid first met in 1966 as both were supporting the Stones on their UK tour.
The above was first written as a response to Peter Bull, IOW photographer, in comments to his blog entry about Terry Reid. Great blog, awesome never-seen-before pictures. We arrived, it seems, at mutual understanding. Within just days of posting my comment I ran across another blog containing the same old misunderstanding. It prompted this slightly edited re-post, and from now on it's easy to direct the confused folks here.
