Bombastic Rock Singer Meat Loaf Has Died At 74

Photo: Billboard

Meat Loaf, as per a statement on his verified Facebook page, has died at 74. He is well-known for his powerful, wide-ranging voice and theatrical live shows. He is also noted for one of the best-selling albums of all time, Bat Out of Hell. 

“Our hearts are broken to announce that the incomparable Meat Loaf passed away tonight with his wife Deborah by his side,” the statement says. “Daughters Pearl and Amanda and close friends have been with him throughout the last 24 hours.”

Meat Loaf’s death was verified to the media by his agent. However, the cause of death was not disclosed. 

The larger-than-life singer was born as Marvin Lee Aday in Dallas.

Overflowing speeches of honor followed after the announcement of his death. His career lasted for over 6 decades. 

“Had So Much Fun With Meatloaf When We Did “Dead Ringer,”” Cher wrote on Twitter. “Am Very Sorry For His Family,Friends,& Fans. Am I imagining It, or Are Amazing Ppl In The Arts Dying every other Day.”

“R.I.P Meatloaf,” Boy George tweeted. “Love and prayers to all his family and close friends. He once turned me upside down in a Chinese Restaurant in St Johns Wood.”

Bat Out of Hell in 1977 and the follow-up Bat Out of Hell II: Back into Hell were Meat Loaf’s two biggest albums. Both albums created a massive amount of hit singles, “Paradise by the Dashboard Light,” “Two Out of Three Ain’t Bad” and “I’d Do Anything for Love (But I Won’t Do That), to name a few. 

In fact in 1993, Meat Loaf won a Grammy for Best Solo Rock Vocal Performance over the song “I’d Do Anything for Love.” 

He has also shown up in multiple television shows and films such as “The Rocky Horror Picture Show,” “Fight Club” and “Wayne’s World.” 

The rock singer admitted to physical problems impacting his capability to put a show on the stage. However, he posted on Facebook in November that he underwent four back surgeries and would be back to perform in the new year. 

His post read: “The back surgeries hurt everything. Before the back surgeries I was still trying to do shows, that’s when some of you saw or heard of me collapsing on stage and finally stopping the tour in the UK. I couldn’t hit high notes because of back pain. Not a slight back pain. Pain that would bring you to your knees.”