music / News
Iconic Singer, Actor Meat Loaf Passes Away At 74
The music world lost one the greats today, as Deadline reports that singer and actor Meat Loaf has passed away at the age of 74. He was surrounded by his family and friends, including wife Deborah and daughters Pearl and Amanda. A cause of death has not been revealed.
In a statement, his family said: “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. From his heart to your souls…don’t ever stop rocking!”
Meat Loaf, real name Marvin Lee Aday, is best known as a singer for songs like “I’d Do Anything For Love”, “Two Out of Three Ain’t Bad” (which hit #11), “Bat Out of Hell” and “Paradise by the Dashboard Light.” (which peaked at #39) His album Bat Out of Hell, which was produced and written by Jim Steinman, is one of the best-selling albums ever. It sold around 14 million copies in the US and around 30 million worldwide. This puts him in rarified company, as it’s just behind Michael Jackson’s Thriller, AC/DC’s Back in Black and the soundtrack to The Bodyguard on the all-time list. Two of the songs from the album, “Two Out of Three” and “Paradise”, were certified platinum in 2018. Bat out of Hell also spent over ten years on the UK album chart, peaking at #9. It’s one of the twenty best-sellers.
The follow-up, Bat Out of Hell II: Back Into Hell sold five million copies after its release in 1993. The lead song, “I’d Do Anything For Love (But I Won’t Do That)”, went to #1 for five weeks in the US and UK. It also won Meat Loaf the Grammy for Best Rock Performance, Solo. Meat Loaf joins Steinman in death, as he passed away last year. The two also worked on 1981’s Dead Ringer and 2016’s Braver Than We Are.
Overall, the singer has sold over 100 million albums worldwide.
As an actor, he’s perhaps best known for his role in 1975’s The Rocky Horror Picture Show, where he played the doomed Eddie. He also famously played Robert Paulsen in 1999’s Fight Club. Other film credits include Wayne’s World, Spice World, Black Dog and Bloodrayne.
Wrestling fans may remember that Aday guest hosted an episode of RAW in 2010, where he ran afoul of Randy Orton. But before that, he also performed drums for the music video of the WWF’s “Land of a Thousand Dances” in 1985, which also included Cyndi Lauper and Rick Derringer.
411 would like to give our condolences to the family, friends and fans of Meat Loaf.