Meat Loaf: ‘Bat Out of Hell’ star dies at 74

Singer and actor Meat Loaf — whose 1977 debut album, Bat Out of Hell, is one of the biggest-selling albums in history — has died, aged 74. 

In a statement shared by his family, it was disclosed that the musician died on January 20, with his wife, Deborah Gillespie, by his side.

“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,” it read. “From his heart to your souls … don’t ever stop rocking!” No cause of death has been announced.

Meat Loaf was born Marvin Lee Aday, but later legally changed his name to Michael. His career, which spanned six decades, saw him sell over 100 million albums globally.

His 1993 album, Bat Out of Hell II: Back Into Hell, created with longtime collaborator, Jim Steinman, resulted in the huge hit single, I’d Do Anything for Love (But I Won’t Do That). It saw him officially break the UK market — becoming his only UK No 1 single, where it spent seven weeks at the top. Finally, the Bat Out of Hell trilogy ended in 2006 with The Monster is Loose.

Music was not Meat Loaf’s only endeavour, however. He starred in over 65 movies, including the likes of the Rocky Horror Picture Show, Wayne’s World and Fight Club.

Steinman, who died last year, and who wrote and composed 1977’s Bat Out of Hell, was an integral figure in Meat Loaf’s life. The musician opened up about the seismic loss to Rolling Stone after his death, telling the publication that “he was the centrepiece of my life.”

“And I was always the centrepiece of his,” he continued. “Jim couldn’t do anything or go anywhere that I wasn’t with him or I wasn’t there. Anything he did, they talked about me. Anything I did, they talked about Jim. And I didn’t care. I wanted that.”

Writer
Nessa Humayun
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