Meat Loaf, rock legend and ‘Bat Out of Hell’ singer, dead at 74
Legendary rock singer Meat Loaf has died, according to an announcement posted on his official Facebook page. He was 74.
“Our hearts are broken to announce that the incomparable Meat Loaf passed away tonight with his wife Deborah by his side,” the post said. “Daughters Pearl and Amanda and close friends have been with him throughout the last 24 hours.”
Meat Loaf was reportedly “seriously ill” with COVID-19 just days before his death.
Born Marvin Lee Aday in Dallas, Texas, in 1947, Meat Loaf began acting and singing in school productions. He moved to Los Angeles after his mother’s death in 1965.
In Los Angeles, Meat Loaf spent his time pursuing careers in both acting and music. He had a brief stint recording for Motown, and opened for touring bands including the Who and the Grateful Dead.
In 1971, Meat Loaf was cast in the Los Angeles production of the musical “Hair.” He later joined the original LA Roxy cast of “The Rocky Horror Show” in 1973, playing the parts of Eddie and Dr. Everett Scott. After the success of the musical, Meat Loaf was asked to reprise his role as Eddie in the 1975 film adaptation, “The Rocky Horror Picture Show,” which became one of the most beloved cult films of all time.
In 1973, Meat Loaf also served as an understudy for his friend John Belushi in “Lemmings,” a National Lampoon stage production on Broadway.
Meat Loaf’s big break in music came with the release of his debut album, “Bat Out of Hell,” in 1977. The album has sold over 43 million copies worldwide and was certified 14 times platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America.
Last year also saw the death of Jim Steinman, his longtime collaborator and songwriter. Steinman wrote all the songs on “Bat Out of Hell.”
“Bat Out of Hell” featured many of Meat Loaf’s most recognizable songs, including “You Took the Words Right Out of My Mouth” and “Two Out of Three Ain’t Bad.” In “Paradise By the Dashboard Light,” Meat Loaf sang a duet with Ellen Foley about going all the way, and featured mock play-by-play analysis by legendary Yankees broadcaster Phil Rizzuto.
Meat Loaf would go on to record 11 more albums in his long career as a recording artist, including two sequels to “Bat Out of Hell.” In total, he sold more than 80 million albums over the course of his career.
Meat Loaf would also go on to have a successful career as an actor, appearing in movies such as “Spice World,” “Fight Club” and “Wayne’s World.”
Although his official cause of death has yet to be confirmed, he famously labeled face masks a “nuisance” in an interview with the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette published last August.
“I’m sorry, I understood stopping life for a little while, but they cannot continue to stop life because of politics,” he told the outlet. “And right now they’re stopping because of politics. And on CNN last night, it finally came out that the masks we’re all wearing are useless — but I’ve known that for six months.
As for masks, he argued: “They don’t do anything. They don’t stop you from getting Covid. They’re just a nuisance and make your nose itch and make it so you can’t breathe. After the interviewer said: “We’re being controlled by everybody”, he replied: “Yeah, I know. But not me. If I die, I die, but I’m not going to be controlled.”
Meanwhile, celebrities took to social media Friday to pay their respects to the star, including former collaborator Cher and fellow musician Boy George.
RIP Meat Loaf, 74.
— Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) January 21, 2022
One of rock music’s all-time great characters whose seminal iconic album Bat Out Of Hell is one of the biggest-selling records in history.
A wondrously talented, flamboyant, funny, outrageous and rebellious chameleon. Sad news. pic.twitter.com/J0UNQgGahn
The vaults of heaven will be ringing with rock. RIP Meatloaf. Give my best to Jim. – ALW
— Andrew Lloyd Webber (@OfficialALW) January 21, 2022
Had So Much Fun With Meatloaf When We Did “Dead Ringer”. Am Very Sorry For His Family,Friends,& Fans. Am I imagining It, or Are Amazing Ppl In The Arts Dying every other Day⁉️
— Cher (@cher) January 21, 2022
😢
R.I.P Meatloaf. Love and prayers to all his family and close friends. He once turned me upside down in a Chinese Restaurant in St Johns Wood.
— Boy George (@BoyGeorge) January 21, 2022
With Post wires