He was the man of the big music numbers, the rock operettas, was celebrated by millions of fans for his many hits. The rock star died on Thursday surrounded by his immediate family.
He lived and loved rock ‘n’ roll: Meat Loaf at a photo shoot in 1993 Photo: John Rogers/Shutterstock
Meat Loaf (real name: Marvin Lee Aday) is dead. The singer died last night at the age of 74, according to an official statement Facebook.
His be-all and end-all: Meatloaf in 1998 with his daughters Pearl Aday (left) and Amanda Aday Photo: Dave Lewis/Shutterstock
“It is with broken hearts that we announce that the incomparable Meat Loaf passed away last night. His wife Deborah was by his side. Daughters Pearl and Amanda and close friends have been with him for the past 24 hours.”
With “Bat Out Of Hell” the musician, who is one of the greats in rock ‘n’ roll history, released one of the best-selling albums of all time to date in 1977 and became a world star overnight.
He made comebacks and a hit trilogy with Bat Out of Hell II: Back into Hell (1993) and Bat Out of Hell III: The Monster is Loose (2006).
Unforgettable: His ballad “I’d Do Anything for Love” (1993). One of THE rock anthems of the 90s.
1993: Meat Loaf at the peak of his career Photo: Picture Alliance / Photoshot
The hit was written by Jim Steinman († 73), who is responsible for many of Meat Loaf’s hits. The song reached number 1 in 28 countries and was in the music charts in Germany for 26 weeks.
The eventful life of the rock ballad king
Meat Loaf was born Marvin Lee Aday in Dallas, Texas. In an interview he once explained how he got his nickname, which translates to meatloaf in German: “My father called me ‘Meat’ because I was so red when I was a baby. At some point in high school, my football team started calling me ‘Meat Loaf’.”
The singer with the voluminous voice began his musical career at the age of 20. He also studied acting.
He moved to Los Angeles, auditioned for roles in musicals and secured engagements on Hair and The Rocky Horror Picture Show. In 1974, while rehearsing for the musical More Than You Deserve, he met lyricist, composer and music producer Jim Steinman, with whom he created Bat Out Of Hell shortly thereafter.
1980: Meat Loaf with Blondie frontman Deborah Harry in New York Photo: G Paul Burnett/AP
On the following world tour, the rock colossus ruined his four-octave voice. Meat Loaf crashed: depression and alcoholism hit him. His managers sued him, he was broke and his friendship with Steinman ended. The following records were not very successful.
1999: Meat Loaf and co-star Edward Norton in Fight Club. The rocker also had great success as an actorPhoto: imago images/Mary Evans
But Meat Loaf got to his feet. In the early 1990s he reconciled with Steinman and they produced the second album “Bat Out of Hell” with him, which today stands for one of the greatest comebacks in music history.
His songs are often about the victorious battle of good over evil.
The music world mourns the loss of a music great: Meat Loaf died at the age of 74Photo: Redferns via Getty Images
“The rule with each of my records, actually the rule of my whole life was always the same,” Meat Loaf once said in an interview. “One day we will look back – and laugh.”
It was only in November that Meat Loaf announced to his fans that he wanted to go into the studio and start recording new songs in January.
Meat Loaf with his great love Deborah Gillespie. The couple had been married since 2007Photo: Ian West/dpa
Meat Loaf is survived by his wife Deborah Gillespie, daughter Amanda Aday, 41, and stepdaughter Pearl Aday, 47. The cause of death is still unknown.
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