The legendary Meat Loaf passed away yesterday at the age of 74. Any of you in my age group will most likely remember him for his passionate love songs in the 70s and 80s.
Bat Out of Hell, by Meat Loaf
This album was one of my favourites in my late teenage years. In fact, it still remains one of my all time favourites. It has the power to invoke so many memories of romantic relationships of those years. Especially Paradise by the Dashboard Lights. Every time I hear it, I am transported back to those days.
Released in 1977, the album was so popular it was on the hit list for nine years! As a matter of fact, it still remains at the top of the “best sellers of all time” list.
Also on my list of favourites are top singles on the charts from that album including “Two out of Three Ain’t Bad,” “You Took the Words Right out of my Mouth” and “I Would do Anything for Love, but I Won’t do That.”
The album was so iconic that a musical with the same name features many of my favourite hit singles from the album. Unfortunately, many performances of this musical were postponed due to the pandemic.
Meat Loaf’s Memorable Quotes
Asked about his flamboyant and passionate performances, he replied that he treats each stage performance like it’s his last. More iconic, often self-depreciating yet painfully truthful, quotes from AZquotes include:
The day that I ever become hip… please shoot me and put me outta my misery!”
“I never fit in. I am a true alternative. And I love being the outcast. That’s my role in life, to be an outcast.”
“I don’t have a rock voice. I have to force it. I am like an opera singer.”
Meat Loaf
He was quite insightful, very talented, yet well aware of his limitations. I believe that was part of his charm. What you saw is what you got. Every performance, live or recorded, was passionately and emotionally delivered.
Childhood Angst
Meat Loaf certainly worked hard for his fame. Born Marvin (AKA Michael) Lee Aday in Dallas, Texas, in 1947, he was the only child of an alcoholic, abusive father. His mother, a school English teacher, passed away when he was young. Because of his weight, constant bullying and teasing were a daily occurrence at school. In fact, (allegedly) this teasing lead to his name. Teachers, kids, and even coaches reportedly called the youngster “ML,” for Mighty Large, which turned into Meat Loaf. Another theory is that he was nicknamed after a favourite meal that his mom made often.
Meat Loaf Performances
Over the years, Meat Loaf performed in over 50 television shows and films, including Rocky Horror Picture Show, Black Dog, Fight Club, Wayne’s World, and Hair. These performances were over and above his innumerable concerts and recordings that spanned four decades.
In 1994 Meat Loaf won a Grammy for the Best Solo Rock Vocal Performance for “I’d do Anything for Love.”
Health Issues Derailed his Comeback
Unfortunately, poor health in the form of excruciating back pain curbed the career that spanned so many decades. He fainted on stage in Pittsburgh in 2011 and halted his UK tour in 2013. Due to illness, shows were canceled in 2016, followed by a collapse on stage in Edmonton.
“Braver Than We Are” was released in September 2016. Ultimately it proved to be his last album. The dream of a comeback was cut short when never-ending back pain brought on eighteen months of back surgery.
Four surgeries later a glimmer of hope emerged. In early 2020 Meat Loaf promised another album. In March of 2021, he performed at country singer and fellow Celebrity Apprentice cast member John Rich’s bar in Lower Broadway. Just this past (2021) November a personal Facebook post had fans’ hopes up. At that time he vented about the four back surgeries, but also shared that he was looking forward to getting back in the studio in the new year. I for one was excited, something to look forward to in 2022.
Visit his website for more fascinating information on this legendary music icon.
Hopefully, he is rocking pain-free in heaven, or resting in peace with Betty White, another legend we lost recently. Although the two had nothing in common (that I am aware of) they both made a profound impression around the world.
He is great, and will be missed. Nice post…
thanks!