Rock star Marvin Lee Aday, known as Meat Loaf, has died at age 74, according to a statement on his Facebook page. No official cause of death was announced, but reports indicate that he was seriously ill with Covid-19.
"Our hearts are broken to announce that the incomparable Meat Loaf passed away tonight with his wife Deborah by his side," the statement read. "Daughters Pearl and Amanda and close friends have been with him throughout the last 24 hours."
Born on September 27, 1947 in Dallas, Aday formed his first band, Meat Loaf Soul, after a nickname coined by his football coach because of his weight. His first official gig was in Huntington Beach, California in 1968 as the opening act for Van Morrison’s band Them and Question Mark and the Mysterians.
The band underwent several different lead guitarists, changing the name each time (with names that included Popcorn Blizzard and Floating Circus). His first single was Once Upon a Time, backed by Hello.
Meat Loaf’s two biggest albums — Bat Out of Hell in 1977 and the follow-up Bat Out of Hell II: Back into Hell in 1993 — produced numerous hit singles, including Paradise by the Dashboard Light, Two Out of Three Ain't Bad and I'd Do Anything for Love (But I Won't Do That). According to The Guinness Book Of World Records, Meat Loaf's Bat Out Of Hell is the biggest selling album in the UK ever.
He sold more 100 million albums worldwide, including Welcome to the Neighborhood in 1995, which made the Top 20 and went platinum.
In 1993, Meat Loaf won the Grammy Award for Best Solo Rock Vocal Performance for the song I'd Do Anything for Love.
On stage, he joined the Los Angeles production of the musical Hair. In 1973, he appeared in the original L.A. Roxy cast of The Rocky Horror Picture Show, playing the parts of Eddie and Dr. Everett Scott.
On television, Meat Loaf made the rounds as a guest star in series like Lightning Force, Tales From the Crypt, Nash Bridges, Monk, Glee, House and Elementary. His TV movie roles included in Blacktop in 2000 and Citizen Jane in 2009. More recently, from 2017-18, he had a regular part in paranormal drama Ghost Wars on Syfy.
Meat Loaf also appeared in a number of films, including The Rocky Horror Picture Show in 1975, Wayne’s World in 1992, Fight Club in 1999 opposite Brad Pitt, and Focus opposite Laura Dern and William H. Macy in 2001.
He also competed in Donald Trump’s Celebrity Apprentice on NBC in 2011.
"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," the statement on Meat Loaf's official Facebook page read. "From his heart to your souls…don’t ever stop rocking!"
