Meat Loaf death: Cher and Boy George lead tributes to ‘bombastic’ singer

Sad news this morning, as a post from the official Facebook page of singer Meat Loaf announces he has died aged 70.

You’ll be able to follow us here as we share tributes, memories and stories of the much-loved artist.

Meat Loaf, whose real name was Michael Lee Aday, sold millions of albums worldwide, with the Bat Out Of Hell trilogy among his most popular musical offerings.

Hit single “I’d Do Anything For Love (But I Won’t Do That)” reached number one in 28 countries and earned him a Grammy award.

The rocker also played the role of Eddie in the 1975 musical film The Rocky Horror Picture Show, and in 2016 was honoured with the Hero Award at the annual Q Awards music ceremony, which he dedicated to everyday heroes and called on people to “bring love back into this world”.

His career spanned more than just music, with the musician also featured in a string of films including 1999’s Fight Club and 1992’s Wayne’s World.

Bat Out Of Hell was also adapted as a stage musical, which was written by long-time collaborator Jim Steinman and featured some of the musician’s best-loved hits.

Meat Loaf had spoken openly about health issues that had plagued him, notably asthma, which caused him to collapse on stage during a concert in Pittsburgh in 2011, and in 2003 he collapsed at Wembley Arena in London and was admitted to hospital.

Reporting by Press Association

Here’s the full story on the news of Meat Loaf’s death

“RIP Meat Loaf,” Piers Morgan wrote from his Instagram page.

“One of rock music’s all-time great characters whose seminal iconic album Bat Out Of Hell is one of the biggest-selling records in history. A wondrously talented, flamboyant, funny, outrageous and rebellious chameleon. Sad news.”

From my colleague Jacob Stolworthy:

Meat Loaf, who has died aged 74, was a multi-talented star, appearing in films as well as releasing music.

The Grammy winner’s death was announced on his official Facebook page, with a statement reading: “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...”

Before selling millions of albums and releasing popular singles, including Bat Out of Hell and “I’d Do Anything for Love”, Meat Loaf appeared in films ranging from The Rocky Horror Picture Show to Focus, directed by Arthur Miller.

https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/films/news/meat-loaf-death-fight-club-b1997774.html

“RIP Meat Loaf.

“An absolutely fantastic live performer. As the Tough Cookies viewers know, I love Rocky Horror so much. Thanx for the cheap thrills and cheesy songs and big big heart.”

“Like a bat out of hell, I’ll be gone when the morning comes… RIP #meatloaf who I photographed in 2003. not much more to say about this short shoot in the same bland hotel i shot the sparks brothers (outside of) and tori amos inside. Mr Meat Loaf was playful and a little bombastic. A large character He sold over 100million albums and must have been SO bored singing the same songs over and over and over despite the income. ‘Bat out of hell’ was an epic album which I also heard too many times when I was growing up.”

From my colleague Annabel Nugent:

As fans and fellow stars pay tribute to the late singer on social media, the story of how Meat Loaf chose his iconic stage name has resurfaced.

It is tricky to discern which backstory is true given that Meat Loaf told a number of tales when asked about the origin story of his unusual moniker.

In a 2003 interview, Meat Loaf said: “Names and ages piss me off. So I just continually lie.”

One story that continues to pop up, however, is that his father was responsible for coming up with the first part of the name.

“I was born bright red, so the doctor suggested that they should keep me in the hospital for a few days,” he recalled during an appearance on Oprah: Where Are They Now?.

He said that his dad told the hospital staff: “I want you to name my son there – because he looks like nine and a half pounds of ground chuck – I want you to put a name tag on the front of that plastic crib and it say ‘Meat’ on it.”

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“They stuck that printed card that said ‘Meat’ and that was it,” recalled the singer.

The second half of the stage name came courtesy of his football coach in eighth grade...

Read more here:

A fun memory from Boy George here:

R.I.P Meatloaf. Love and prayers to all his family and close friends. He once turned me upside down in a Chinese Restaurant in St Johns Wood.

https://twitter.com/BoyGeorge/status/1484457538766651393

From my colleague Ellie Harrison:

Meat Loaf, who has died aged 74, was best known for his 1993 hit “I’d Do Anything for Love (But I Won’t Do That)”.

The lead single from the Bat Out of Hell II album earned the legendary singer a Grammy Award, but the “I won’t do that” lyric has long been misunderstood as referring to one thing, when it in fact refers to many.

In a 2014 interview with Yahoo!, Meat Loaf reflected on the lyric of the hit song, written by Jim Steinman. He said: “When we were recording it, Jim brings up the thing – he says, ‘People aren’t gonna know what ‘that’ is.’ I said, ‘Of course they are. How can they not know?’ He goes, ‘They’re not gonna.’”

Read about the meaning behind the song below: