Meat Loaf might be best known for his rock ballads, including I’d Do Anything for Love, and anthems like Bat out of Hell. The Broadway star, actor and rock legend had a prolific career, spanning six decades and selling over 100 million albums, but in his later years many were concerned about the star’s health following a spate of worrying onstage incidents.
Meat Loaf, real name Marvin Lee Aday, has died at the age of 74, his family have confirmed in a statement sharing the sad news to Facebook.
A post shared to Meat Loaf’s Facebook page said: “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.
“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!”
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Speaking to Rolling Stone magazine, Meat Loaf explained the origins of his unusual stage name came from his father.
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He said when he was just four days old his father commented the baby “looked like meat”.
Throughout his childhood, he was bullied about his weight.
In the same interview, the singer claimed he couldn’t hold a tune until he was hit in the head by a shot put on an athletic field.
After the incident he claimed he suddenly had a three-and-a-half octave vocal range.
Despite his stage name, Meat Loaf followed a vegetarian diet from 1981 to 1992, and in January 2020 announced he would be following Veganuary.
Meat Loaf’s death comes just months after the death of his long-time friend and collaborator Jim Steinman.
Songwriter, producer and writer of the Bat Out Of Hell musical, Steinman died in April 2021 aged 73.
Source: Daily Express
