John Reid, the celebrated Glasgow-born DJ, producer, and vocalist, whose voice and songwriting shaped the sound of 90s dance and pop music, has died suddenly at the age of 61. Tributes poured in on Monday, June 16, 2025, as fans, fellow musicians, and collaborators mourned the loss of a prolific artist whose influence stretched far beyond the dancefloor.
Reid’s musical journey is most famously marked by his role as the frontman of Nightcrawlers, the 90s band that delivered the iconic house anthem “Push The Feeling On” in 1995. The track not only topped the UK dance charts but also reached number three in the UK singles chart and enjoyed widespread success across Europe. Its infectious groove and Reid’s soulful vocals have seen the song sampled and remixed repeatedly, including versions by Pitbull and a 2017 garage remix featuring Big Narstie, keeping the track alive in club culture decades later.
But Reid’s talents went far beyond his own performances. As a songwriter, he penned and co-wrote hits for a constellation of stars. He wrote Tina Turner’s 1999 hit “When the Heartache Is Over,” a powerful anthem that showcased Turner’s enduring vocal prowess. He also contributed to Rod Stewart’s catalogue, including the track “Run Back Into Your Arms,” and co-wrote Westlife’s UK number one single “Unbreakable,” cementing his place in pop music history.
One of Reid’s most notable songwriting achievements was “A Moment Like This,” which gained international fame through performances by Kelly Clarkson and later X Factor winner Leona Lewis, who took the song to number one in the UK. His collaborations extended to working with industry heavyweights such as Simon Cowell and producer Ian Levine. Together, they crafted songs like “Whenever You Need Someone” for Bad Boys Inc, and Reid’s writing credits also include contributions to artists like Eternal, Gemini, and Claire Richards, for whom he penned the festive track “My Heart Is Heading Home (This Christmas).”
Mary Kiani, the former vocalist of The Time Frequency and Reid’s fiancée for nine years, shared the heartbreaking news of his sudden death on social media. She described their relationship as a profound love story rooted in the vibrant 90s dance scene. “Just heard this morning that my first love John Reid died suddenly,” she wrote. “We met in Glasgow but fell in love in London. He was recording his album with Roy Hay (Culture Club) for his new band ‘This Way Up.’ Myself and Danusia DanooshaZaremba were on tour, and every night we met at the Columbian hotel.”
Kiani reminisced about their early years together, recalling how they bought their first flat in Dennistoun at ages 21 and 22, a period when both were flourishing musically. “The birth of The Nightcrawlers happened (Push the feeling on). We toured, we recorded, we did our vocal sessions together. We parted 9 years later. Last year, I got in touch with him. I said I’d love to say hello again before one of us dies. I saw him just last year in Glasgow. RIP John, Love Bubbs xoXO.”
Tributes from the music community highlighted Reid’s warmth, talent, and impact. Chris Judge, vocal coach and singer with the Red Hot Chilli Pipers, praised Reid’s soulful voice and songwriting prowess. “RIP John Reid, an incredible Scottish singer with so much soul most famous for his vocals in the Nightcrawlers hit push the feeling on,” Judge said. “It’s been sampled so many times — Pitbull, the Friday song by Riton Mufasa & Hypeman, etc. He was also an extremely talented topline writer, who wrote ‘A moment like this’ hit after hit for Tina Turner, Rod Stewart, Leona Lewis, Westlife. Sending love to my besty Mary Kiani, you guys were the OG Session singers of the 90s. I’ve loved hearing your stories. Sjo Big hugs xxx.”
Judge also recalled Reid’s generosity and encouragement during their early days on the road. “I remember him from doing road shows all over the country... back when I was in the boy band days he was always such a nice guy, very encouraging and supportive to all the new bands. He had so much success as a writer but it was his voice I loved — he was an incredible singer and well respected like Mary in the session scene doing all the backing vocals working for people like Ian Levine.”
Singer Matthew James Pateman added his voice to the tributes, highlighting Reid’s role in the career of Bad Boys Inc, noting that Reid wrote several songs for the group and contributed backing vocals, further demonstrating the breadth of his contributions to the music industry.
Record producer Ian Levine, who collaborated extensively with Reid, expressed his grief on social media, stating, “I just learned that John Reid has died. I wrote over 100 songs with him and find it very hard to come to terms with.”
Despite the outpouring of love and respect, the cause of John Reid’s sudden death has not been publicly disclosed by his family or close friends. His passing leaves a significant void in the world of dance and pop music, where his voice and pen shaped many unforgettable moments.
John Reid’s legacy is one of soulful vocals, infectious dance rhythms, and timeless songwriting. From the dance floors of the 90s to the charts around the world, his work touched millions and continues to inspire new generations of artists. As the music community reflects on his life and career, the enduring power of his creations stands as a testament to his extraordinary talent and passion.
