CLEVELAND, Ohio (WJW) – Rock legend Meat Loaf is being remembered around the world.
The singer and actor died Thursday at the age of 74.
“Our hearts are broken,” his family said announcing his passing on Meat Loaf’s Facebook page.
They said he was surrounded by his wife Deborah, daughters Pearl and Amanda and close friends when he passed.
Meat Loaf, born Marvin Lee Aday, was filming the “Rocky Horror Picture Show” when he began recording his first album with Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Inductee Todd Rundgren, who produced it.
Meat Loaf’s debut album “Bat Out of Hell,” received countless rejections, until he connected with Steve Popovich with Cleveland International Records.
The album was one of the first Cleveland International Records ever released.
“Bat Out of Hell” came out in 1977 and remains one of the top 10 selling albums of all time.
Steve Popovich Sr. passed away in 2011.
His son, Steve Popovich Jr. spoke with FOX 8 Friday.
“Meat was a musical giant whose legacy will forever be engrained in the city of Cleveland and in the hearts of its people, who championed him before any other city in the world at the time,” Popovich Jr. said.
Meat Loaf, who passed away on Thursday at the age of 74, said he was frequently asked about the meaning of the lyric. (Donald Bowers/Getty Images) 
NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE – MARCH 27: (EDITORS NOTE: Image has been converted to black & white.) Singer Meat Loaf and country artist John Rich perform at Redneck Riviera Nashville on March 27, 2021 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Jason Kempin/Getty Images) 
LAS VEGAS, NV – SEPTEMBER 18: Singer Meat Loaf arrives at the world premiere of Twentieth Century Fox and New Regency’s film “Runner Runner” at Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino on September 18, 2013 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) 
LAS VEGAS, NV – SEPTEMBER 18: Singer Meat Loaf arrives at the world premiere of Twentieth Century Fox and New Regency’s film “Runner Runner” at Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino on September 18, 2013 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by David Becker/Getty Images) 
US singer Marvin Lee Aday, aka Meat Loaf, performs on stage in Zwolle, on May 11, 2013. The concert is part of his final tour ‘Last At Bat Farewell Tour’. AFP PHOTO/ANP FERDY DAMMAN netherlands out (Photo credit should read Ferdy Damman/AFP via Getty Images) 
THE TONIGHT SHOW WITH JAY LENO — Episode 4214 — Pictured: Musical guest Meat Loaf performs on March 14, 2012 — (Photo by: Paul Drinkwater/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty Images via Getty Images) 
SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA – SEPTEMBER 13: (EUROPE AND AUSTRALASIA OUT) American singer, Meat Loaf, in Australia to promote his upcoming concert tour, poses during a portrait shoot at the Shangri-La Hotel on September 13, 2011 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Cameron Richardson/Newspix/Getty Images) 
LOS ANGELES, CA – APRIL 10: Singer Meat Loaf arrives at the 22nd Annual GLAAD Media Awards at the Westin Bonaventure Hotel on April 10, 2011 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images) 
American singer Meat Loaf (aka Marvin Lee Aday) performs the duet ‘Paradise By The Dashboard Light’ on stage with singer Karla Devito, Circa 1978. (Photo by Hulton Archive/Getty Images) 
American rock singer Meat Loaf performing, circa 1977. (Photo by Keystone/Hulton Archive/Getty Images) 
circa 1985: American rock star Meatloaf, real name Marvin Lee Aday, holds his hand to his ear in a theatrical pose during a live concert. (Photo by Keystone/Getty Images) 
American pop singer Meatloaf, born Marvin Lee Aday, on stage. (Photo by Keystone/Getty Images)
“The album, ‘Bat Out Of Hell’ released on my father’s label has gone on to be one of the top-selling albums in the history of the music business, having sold over 50 million copies worldwide. It all started here and a big reason why Cleveland is the Rock and Roll capital of the world.”
Popovich Jr. says he and Meat Loaf had talked about recording a final album with Cleveland International Records, called “The Last at Bat.”
They also recently lost Cleveland International Records alum, Ronnie Spector, who died on Jan. 12.
Meat Loaf’s cause of death has not been released.
“From his heart to your souls…don’t ever stop rocking!” his family said in a statement.
Meat Loaf became eligible for induction to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1997.
He has not been inducted.
