Tis a sad day for the rock world, as this morning Meat Loaf passed away aged 74 ??
The news was confirmed by his family in a Facebook post, saying:
“Our hearts are broken to announce that the incomparable Meat Loaf passed away tonight surrounded by his wife Deborah, daughters Pearl and Amanda and close friends.”
The RC team sends love and thoughts to his family and friends, and want to take a moment to remember the legendary singer, whose album Bat Out Of Hell is one of the best selling records of all time.
A Rock Icon
With his album sales running over 100 million worldwide and appearances in movies like Fight Club, Wayne’s World and the Rock Horror Picture Show, the man was an absolute icon ??
Meat Loaf in 2010 (EPA)
Born as Marvin Lee Aday but also known as Michael, his nickname stuck when his Dad said he looked red as meat at birth, and a school football coach added the “loaf”. Bless him.
You probably know him best for his Bat Out Of Hell trilogy, but he also released excellent albums throughout the 70s and 80s – check out Dead Ringer and Midnight at The Lost and Found. Then, in the 90s, his massive single ‘I’d Do Anything For Love (But I Won’t Do That)’ was the UK’s best-selling single of 1993, earning him a Grammy Award.
He scored parts in some of the best alt-movies ever, featuring in the musical movie The Rocky Horror Picture Show and as Tiny in Wayne’s World. And who could forget his much-loved bosom in 1999’s Fight Club.
Meat Loaf with Ed Norton in Fight Club (1999)
A CRAZY REBEL
His presence and vocal style were unmatched for theatrics, with his three-octave range resulting in him being pushed towards opera. In a BBC interview in 2010 he said “[I] had an offer to study opera and make a lot of money, but it wasn’t for me – I’m too rebellious, too crazy.”
Coming from a family of gospel singers, his break came in musical theatre, where he met top composer and producer Jim Steinman. The two then spent four years making Bat Out Of Hell. The record was originally rejected by record labels, until an explosive performance on Saturday Night Live changed everyone’s minds. It was, of course, his incredible live performance that made everyone sit up and take notice. It’s now sold over 40 million copies around the globe.
Let’s all take a moment today to remember such an icon of the rock world. In fact, why not take 7 minutes and 40 seconds?
Play ‘I’d Do Anything For Love (But I Won’t Do That)’ below, and play it LOUD.
In the words of his family:
“From his heart to your souls…don’t ever stop rocking!”
RIP Meat Loaf ❤️❤️❤️❤️
