Meat Loaf, Marvin Lee Aday, who sold more than 100 million albums worldwide, is dead.
A statement on his Facebook page says:
“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.
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!
His brief, but iconic role as Eddie in the original Rocky Horror Picture Show in 1975 was his film debut. He later appeared in box office hits like Fightclub, Spiceworld: The Movie and Wayne’s World.
But Bat Out Of Hell made him a household name, written by Jim Steinman (who sued Meat Loaf in the 80s, died last year at 73) it went on to be released three times. It remains the fourth biggest selling record of all time (behind Michael Jackson, AC/DC and Whitney Houston.
Meat Loaf always saw himself as a unique figure in the rock world. He told Rolling Stone in ’93,
I’m different from Bette or Cher or Sinatra…
This might be a huge ego thing, but I tend to think of myself as the Robert De Niro of rock. I know that’s absurd, but my idols are either sports figures or Robert De Niro.”
In recent years, Meat Loaf had spoken openly about his health issues, notably asthma, which had led to him collapsing on stage in Wembley in 2003 and Pittsburgh in 2011. He also collapsed while performing in 2016, with a statement later saying he had been suffering from “severe dehydration”.
Tributes are pouring out on social media. Boy George remembered him saying,
R.I.P Meat Loaf. Love and prayers to all his family and close friends. He once turned me upside down in a Chinese Restaurant in St Johns Wood.”
Andrew Lloyd Webber posted,
The vaults of heaven will be ringing with rock. RIP Meat Loaf. Give my best to Jim.”
Cher wondered what we have all been thinking,
Am I imagining It, or Are Amazing Ppl In The Arts Dying every other Day!?”
Meat Loaf’s cause of death has not been officially revealed but TMZ is reporting he died of COVID.
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
😢
vSinger Meat Loaf Dead at 74: Cher and More Stars Pay Tribute https://t.co/qRLz5CTLFg
— E! News (@enews) January 21, 2022
(via Sky News)
