Meat Loaf, ‘Bat Out Of Hell’ Singer And Actor, Dies Aged 74
The US singer and actor Meat Loaf has died aged 74, his agent has confirmed. No cause of death has been confirmed. He died on 20 January with his wife Deborah by his side.
A statement released to social media reads: “Our hearts are broken to announce that the incomparable Meat Loaf passed away tonight with his wife Deborah by his side. Daughters Pearl and Amanda and close friends have been with him throughout the last 24 hours. His amazing career spanned 6 decades that saw him sell over 100 Million albums worldwide and star in over 65 movies, including Fight Club, Focus, Rocky Horror Picture Show and Wayne’s World. Bat Out Of Hell remains one of the top 10 selling albums of all time. We know how much he meant to so many of you and we truly appreciate all of the love and support as we move through this time of grief in losing such an inspiring artist and beautiful man. We thank you for your understanding of our need for privacy at this time. From his heart to your souls… don’t ever stop rocking!”
Meat Loaf was born Marvin Lee Aday in Dallas, Texas, and moved to Los Angeles in 1967 to play in local bands. In 1970, he moved to New York and appeared in Broadway musicals including Hair and The Rocky Horror Show, the 1975 film adaptation of the latter saw him make his big screen debut.
In 1977, he and lyricist Jim Steinman released the operatic rock album, Bat Out Of Hell; the record was huge – it’s estimated that it has sold 43 million copies. The tour and promoting the album took a toll on Meat Loaf’s voice and left him unable to sing for two years, but after rehabilitation, he was able record the album, Dead Ringer, featuring the 1981 single Dead Ringer For Love, a duet with Cher that became a worldwide hit.
There followed a downturn in commercial fortunes and Meat Loaf returned to acting alongside music, appearing in a string of films including Roadie (1980), Out Of Bounds (1986), The Squeeze (1987) and Focus (2001).
When Meat Loaf and Steinman got back together in 1993, they delivered a powerful sequel to his biggest hit with Bat Out Of Hell II which went to No 1 in the US and UK and 26 other countries and is estimated to have sold 22 million copies. Since that enormous success, Meat Loaf has toured consistently and released a string of well-received albums, as well as appearing in many films, including Spice World (1997), Crazy In Alabama (1999), The 51st State (2001) and Fight Club (1999).