Michael Lee Andy born Marvin Lee Andy - who became known around the globe as Meat Loaf - was born on September 27th, 1947 in Dallas, Texas. He had a difficult childhood growing up as his father Orvis was an alcoholic so his mother Wilma would often place him in the care of his grandma. He once said: "Oh, man, I was tormented." Meat Loaf can recall on one occasion his father throwing him through a screen door before disappearing on a binge.
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Meat Loaf in the making…
Meat Loaf, who was enrolled at Texas University, left school in 1967 shortly after his father tried to murder him. Orvis once burst into his bedroom with a butcher knife, taking a swipe at Meat Loaf who broke his father’s ribs and nose. He fled to start a new life in Los Angeles. It wasn’t until he started working as a bouncer that he formed his first band Meat Loaf Soul. But his band days were over before they had begun as the short lived group broke up following name alterations and line-up changes.
Like a bat out of hell flying up the music charts…
After his movie success, Meat Loaf tried his luck at music once again by returning to the studio. ‘Bat Out of Hell’ was written by musical composer Jim Steinman and was inspired by a musical called 'Neverland', a futuristic rock version of Peter Pan, which Steinman wrote for a workshop in 1974. Upon its release in 1977, the LP became a global smash and to this day has sold 43 million copies worldwide. The album features some of his best-selling singles ‘Two Out Of Three Ain’t bad’ and ‘Paradise by the Dashboard Light’.
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Creative differences...
Meat Loaf and songwriter Jim Steinman, who penned his first two LPs 'Bat Out of Hell' and 1981's 'Dead Ringer', fell out before the recording of his third album, 'Midnight at the Lost and Found'. Steinman had become frustrated over the lack of credit Meat Loaf's album success. The two ended up parting ways, with Steinman recording his own album. Meat Loaf's 1983 third album was a critical and commercial flop and that same year he filed for bankruptcy after facing multiple lawsuits and blowing his money on substances.
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Comeback...
Meat Loaf spent the next decade making hit and miss albums such as 'Bad Attitude' (1985) and 'Blind Before I Stop' (1986) which received mix responses from fans and critics alike. After his renewed partnership with Steinman, the pair came up with ‘Bat Out of Hell II: Back into Hell’ in 1993 that featured the iconic hit ‘I'd Do Anything for Love (But I Won't Do That)'. His sequel album was an instant success and went on to sell 15 million copies. The final album in the trilogy was the release of ‘Bat Out Of Hell III: The Monster Is Loose' (2006). All three albums have gone on to sell more than 65 million copies worldwide combined.
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Big screen success
During his career Meat Loaf went on to star in over 65 films, with highlights being 'Roadie' (1980), ‘Fight Club’ (1999) and ‘Wayne’s World’ (1992), Meat Loaf also made an appearance on reality TV when he stared in 'Celebrity Apprentice' in 2011, which saw the actor fly into a fit of rage over a painting.
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Health horrors
'The Rocky Horror Picture Show' star battled his very own health horrors as he collapsed during live performances on three separate occasions. The first time was in 2003 whilst on stage in London. The singer was rushed to hospital where doctors had diagnosed him with Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome, a medical condition which causes an irregular heartbeat. In 2011, his asthma had caused him to abandon a concert in Pittsburgh. Then again in June 2016, during a show in Edmonton, Canada, he claimed back pain was shooting through him like a sword requiring him to have emergency back surgery for a spinal fusion.
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Paying tribute to Jim Steinman...
Meat Loaf's long-time collaborator Jim Steinman passed in April 2021 at the age of 73. The rocker was quick to pay tribute to the legendary ‘Bat Out Of Hell’ writer. Reminiscing on his five decades with the composer, he told Rolling Stone magazine: “We didn’t know each other. We were each other." Meat Loaf - who first met Jim back in 1973 - added: "Since I met Jim, he has been the centerpiece to my life, and I was always the centerpiece of his. 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.”
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Farewell Meat Loaf...
On Friday January 21, 2022, it was announced that Meat Loaf had died after battling COVID-19. Meat Loaf passed away with his beloved wife Deborah by his side. Tributes to him quickly started to appear online. Cher - who worked with him of the 1981 track 'Dead Ringer for Love' - tweeted: "Had So Much Fun With Meatloaf When We Did “Dead Ringer”. Am Very Sorry For His Family, Friends,& Fans. "Am I imagining It, or Are Amazing Ppl In The Arts Dying every other Day!? (sic)" Theatre mogul Andrew Lloyd Webber said: “The vaults of heaven will be ringing with rock. RIP Meatloaf. Give my best to Jim."
The music world was in mourning following the news that rock legend Meat Loaf had died at the age of 74. The musician became a global star thanks to his 1977 album 'Bat Out of Hell', which he made two sequel LPs too. Meat Loaf also conquered Hollywood with roles in cult classics such as ‘The Rocky Horror Picture Show' and ‘Fight Club’. Although he is gone, his art will live forever. Here is a look at the life of Meat Loaf... (Images (c) Famous Pictures / famous.uk.com)
