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Meat Loaf Dies: ‘Bat Out Of Hell’ Singer & ‘Rocky Horror Picture Show’ Actor Was 74

Bullet Club

Member

Meat Loaf Dies: ‘Bat Out Of Hell’ Singer & ‘Rocky Horror Picture Show’ Actor Was 74​


Meat Loaf, the hardworking singer and actor whose Bat Out of Hell is one of the best-selling albums ever and who played Eddie in The Rocky Horror Picture Show, has died. He was 74.

The Grammy winner born Marvin Lee Aday died Thursday night with his wife Deborah by his side, Meat Loaf’s longtime agent Michael Greene told Deadline on behalf of the family. He added that the singer’s daughters Pearl and Amanda and close friends also had a chance to spend time with him and say their goodbyes during the last 24 hours. A cause of death is not being released.

“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,” Meat Loaf’s family said in a statement. “From his heart to your souls…don’t ever stop rocking!”

Written and produced by Jim Steinman, Meat Loaf’s Bat Out of Hell is among the 35 best-selling albums in U.S. history, racking up 14 million units sold, per the RIAA. Its singles “Two of Three Ain’t Bad” and “Paradise by the Dashboard Light” — which peaked at No. 11 and No. 39 on the Billboard Hot 100, respectively — both were certified platinum in 2018.

“Paradise by the Dashboard Light” — a duet with Ellen Foley, who went on to star in Season 1 of Night Court — famously features longtime New York Yankees announcer “calling the action” as the teenage narrator makes a move on his girlfriend. Watch the video for the song below, with Karla DeVito lip-synching the “Stop right there!” role. She then went on tour with Meat Loaf to support the album.

Meat Loaf and Steinman also collaborated on the 1993 album Bat Out of Hell II: Back Into Hell, which has sold more than 5 million units in the U.S. alone. Its platinum lead single “I’d Do Anything for Love (But I Won’t Do That)” spent five weeks at No. 1 in late 1993, by far Meat Loaf’s biggest hit. He also won the Grammy for Best Rock Performance, Solo. Steinman died last year.

Meat Loaf has sold more 100 million albums worldwide. His 1980s LPs Dead Ringer and Bad Attitude sold moderately stateside, but 1995’s Welcome to the Neighborhood made the Top 20 and went platinum. He taped an episode of VH1’s Storytellers that was released as an album in 1999.

Meat Loaf also sang lead on several tracks for Ted Nugent’s million-selling 1976 album Free-for-All.

But before Bat Out of Hell and the rest, there was The Rocky Horror Picture Show.

Meat Loaf all but stole the 1975 film version of the stage musical as Eddie, a wild and wildly unlucky ex-delivery boy who belts out the hard-rocking “Hot Patootie” before meeting a difficult end. The movie, which also starred Susan Sarandon and Tim Curry, has become an all-time cult classic. Its soundtrack also hit the Top 50 and is certified gold. Meat Loaf also played the Eddie role onstage.

His other screen credits include the features Roadie, Motorama, Leap of Faith and Americathon. He also appeared in several episodes of the 2017-18 series Ghost Wars.

Last year, Meat Loaf sealed a deal to develop a relationship competition series based on “I’d Do Anything for Love (But I Won’t Do That).” He was executive producer on the project and was set to appear as, per the logline, the ethereal figure behind the madness who would pull the strings in the show. Couples were to compete in a variety of comedic physical games designed to reveal how well they can work together and how much they really trust and believe in each other – all to a soundtrack of classic hits, performed live in studio by the original artists as well as new stars.

Here is Meat Loaf performing “Paradise by the Dashboard Light”:




Source: Deadline
 
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I remember that bat out of hell was practically the car music of my childhood. To the point I am pretty sure it was the only tape we had, at the time

Rip and thoughts are with his family ❤️
 

IDKFA

I am Become Bilbo Baggins
Holy shit.

Bat out of Hell II was the first CD I ever bought with my pocket money way back in the early 90s, and also one of the few CDs I still own. I'll be listening to that album tonight in his honour.

RIP. You were absolutely a legend of Rock

 
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Fight Club Hug GIF


RIP you magnificent bastard.
 

FunkMiller

Member
Seems he died of Covid, according to some sources on social media… though as it’s on social media, who actually knows?
 

ManaByte

Member
Seems he died of Covid, according to some sources on social media… though as it’s on social media, who actually knows?
I’d ignore that. Anti-vaxxers (like Hulk Hogan) have been claiming EVERY celebrity death (like Betty White) were caused by the vaccine and that it’s being covered up for reasons.

They said he died with his wife and kids by his side. COVID patients aren’t allowed that.
 
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Thaedolus

Member
I’d ignore that. Anti-vaxxers (like Hulk Hogan) have been claiming EVERY celebrity death (like Betty White) were caused by the vaccine and that it’s being covered up for reasons.

They said he died with his wife and kids by his side. COVID patients aren’t allowed that.
I’m not sure that’s true anymore, my cousin’s wife was near death with Covid and the immediate family was allowed to be there (all vaccinated/wearing N95s)
 

ManaByte

Member
I’m not sure that’s true anymore, my cousin’s wife was near death with Covid and the immediate family was allowed to be there (all vaccinated/wearing N95s)
My wife's uncle died in the hospital just a few months ago and the family wasn't allowed anywhere near him even vaxxed and masked.
 
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FunkMiller

Member
I’d ignore that. Anti-vaxxers (like Hulk Hogan) have been claiming EVERY celebrity death (like Betty White) were caused by the vaccine and that it’s being covered up for reasons.

They said he died with his wife and kids by his side. COVID patients aren’t allowed that.
A variety of news outlets are starting to report it, so it may have validity. And reporting he died of covid, not the vaccine.
 
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Thaedolus

Member
My wife's uncle died in the hospital just a few months ago and the family wasn't allowed anywhere near him even vaxxed and masked.
Might depend on local policies then. We’re in a red state and their county is one of the reddest in the whole country.
 

QSD

Member
Have to be honest and say I hated the guy's music (it's waaay too theatrical for me, same goes for Queen etc)
but I loved his role in Fight Club

RIP big guy
 

QSD

Member
I don't think you have listened to queen much
I've never listened to any albums, but I know all the radio hits and that's some of the most theatrical rock music I know (as opposed to for example Nirvana)
Meat Loaf was up there too with all the overblown bombast. It's not bad music at all but I personally find it distasteful.
 
It's very unfortunate he didn't take Covid seriously. I worry about my brother and niece every day because they both have history of asthma and I don't want them to die for some foolish shit he probably read on Facebook.
 
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ManaByte

Member
It's very unfortunate he didn't take Covid seriously. I worry about my brother and niece every day because they both have history of asthma and I don't want them to die for some foolish shit he probably read on Facebook.
Twitter is dancing on his grave like the internet terrorists they are.
 

Ionian

Member
I've never listened to any albums, but I know all the radio hits and that's some of the most theatrical rock music I know (as opposed to for example Nirvana)
Meat Loaf was up there too with all the overblown bombast. It's not bad music at all but I personally find it distasteful.

"Overblown bombast". Yep you sure never bothered to listen to eithers albums alright.

Do yourself a favour and actually look up their biggest albums for both Meat Loaf and Queen.

You'll find you've been missing out. Or be lazier and get a greatest hits compilation.
 
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