Meat Loaf in 400 words (ish)
Michael Lee Aday, otherwise known as Meat Loaf, was an American singer and actor born in Texas on 27th September 1947 and died on 20th January 2022. He was best known for releasing the ‘Bat Out of Hell’ trilogy and his incredible vocal range.
His first band was called Meat Loaf Soul which was inspired by his football coach’s nickname; they had their gig in 1968 at Huntington Beach. Meat Loaf joins the Los Angeles production of ‘Hair’, a rock musical, and then was invited to record with Motown.
Meat Loaf released 12 studio albums, 5 live albums and 39 singles. In the UK, Meat Loaf had 1 no.1 single ‘I’d Do Anything For Love (But I Won’t Do That)’ (1991) and 5 top 10 singles including ‘Dead Ringer For Love’ at No. 5 in 1981, ‘Bat Out Of Hell’ at no.8 in 1979 and ‘I’d Lie For You (And That’s The Truth)’ at no.2 in 1995.
Meat Loaf had greater success with albums in the UK with 2 reaching no.1 ‘Dead Ringer’ (1981) and ‘Bat Out Of Hell II – Back Into Hell’ (1993). He had 10 albums in the top 10 including ‘Bat Out Of Hell’ which peaked at no. 9 in 1978, ‘Hanging Cool Teddy Bear’ (2012) and ‘Braver Than We Are’ (2016) which both reached no.4 and ‘Welcome To The Neighbourhood’ (1995) and ‘Bat Out Of Hell 3 – The Monster Is Loose’ (2006) both reached no. 3.
‘Bat Out Of Hell’ released in 1977 has sold over 44 million copies worldwide and sold 3.4 million copies in the UK. It is the 21st best-selling album in the UK. ‘I'd Do Anything for Love (But I Won't Do That)’ reached no.1 in 28 countries around the world and was the best-selling single in 1993 in the UK.
Meat Loaf had lots of success as an actor as well as a musician staring in films like ‘The Rocky Horror Picture Show’ as Eddie in 1975, ‘Wayne’s World’ as Tiny in 1992, ‘Fight Club’ as Robert Paulson in 199 and ‘Wishin’ and Hopin’ as Monsignor Muldon In 2014.
He has also featured in TV shows such as Glee, Elementary, South Park and House.
In 1994, Meat Loaf won the Grammy Award for Beat Rock Vocal Performance and the Brit Award for Best-Selling Album and Single.