Meat Loaf
Biography
Marvin Lee Aday was a singer and occasional actor who, for reasons never definitively answered, recorded under the name Meat Loaf. In all likelihood a childhood nickname, the tag stuck, and many puns followed as the performer -- who tipped the scales at well over 300 pounds -- became one of the biggest chart acts of the 1970s before enjoying a commercial renaissance two decades later.
Meat Loaf was born in Dallas, TX. The product of a family of gospel singers, he moved to Los Angeles in 1967 and formed a group known as both Meat Loaf Soul and Popcorn Blizzard. The band earned some renown through opening gigs in support of the Who, the Stooges, and Ted Nugent before Meat Loaf won a role in a West Coast production of the musical Hair. During a tour stop in Detroit, he and a fellow castmate named Stoney teamed to record the 1971 LP Stoney & Meat Loaf for Motown's Rare Earth imprint.
After a tenure in the off-Broadway production Rainbow (In New York), Meat Loaf earned a slot in More Than You Deserve, a musical written by classically trained pianist Jim Steinman. An appearance in the cult film The Rocky Horror Picture Show followed, and in 1976 Meat Loaf also handled vocal duties on one side of Nugent's LP Free-for-All. Soon, Meat Loaf reteamed with Steinman for a tour with the National Lampoon Road Show, after which Steinman began composing a musical update of the Peter Pan story titled Never Land.
Ultimately, much of what Steinman composed for Never Land became absorbed into 1977's Bat Out of Hell, the album that made Meat Loaf a star. Produced by Todd Rundgren, the record was pure melodrama, a teen rock opera that spawned three Top 40 singles -- "Two Out of Three Ain't Bad," "Paradise by the Dashboard Light," and "You Took the Words Right Out of My Mouth" -- on its way to becoming one of the best-selling albums of the decade.
A sequel was planned, but in 1981 Steinman issued his own solo debut, Bad for Good. After Meat Loaf released his own follow-up, Dead Ringer, rumors began flying, and it was reported that Loaf had been unable to record the songs that comprised the Steinman album due to physical and emotional problems. Eventually, Steinman filed suit against Meat Loaf and his label, Epic, and none of his songs appeared on the 1983 Meat Loaf effort Midnight at the Lost and Found. After subsequent records like 1984's Bad Attitude and 1986's Blind Before I Stop bombed, the singer declared bankruptcy and began physical and psychological rehabilitation to restore his road-ravaged voice.
After several years in relative obscurity, Meat Loaf and Steinman reunited in 1993 for Bat Out of Hell II: Back into Hell, which continued the original's story line and duplicated its thunderous sound. The follow-up proved almost as successful as the first Bat Out of Hell, selling over five million copies and yielding a massive hit single with "I'd Do Anything for Love (But I Won't Do That)." Without Steinman, he returned in 1995 with Welcome to the Neighborhood. The career-long concert compilation Live Around the World followed one year later, but Meat Loaf released no more new material until well into the 2000s. Finally he recorded Couldn't Have Said It Better, which was released on Sanctuary in 2003. Three years later, after resolving the disputes surrounding its release, Bat Out of Hell III: The Monster Is Loose came out -- sans Steinman, though many of his songs were used, which was what caused the problems in the first place -- tracks from which were added to the production of Loaf's Bat Out of Hell play. ~ Jason Ankeny, All Music Guide
Selected Discography
I think the reason he didn't get airplay is because he was way before his time. Very sophisticate d and very intelligible lyrics.
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I really believe that if radio gave his music more airplay, Meat Loaf would be much more popular than he is. But then again, maybe that's okay -- the reason radio doesn't play his music is because they don't "get" it...but the right people do.
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i listened to meatloaf for a very long time. long live rock and roll.
it will never die. if it does lets hope it does go to hell and come back as a big bat and eats us all |
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i am 17 years old and have been listening to Meat since i can remember. he is the real deal! Rock on big guy
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Meatloaf is one of the great singers of our time, long live Bat out of Hell
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Musically speaking, Meatloaf + Jim Steinman = brilliance. Without him, meat is just meat: not bad, but not prime rib, either.
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If you think his music is great ( which IT IS )try watching some of his movies. Talk about a versitile actor. Meat has played the total goofball Eddie in Rocky Horror, to a psycho in Focus, not to mention the 2 comedys. I took my 8 year old daughter to his concert a few months ago, and I kid you not, there were children there dancing and singing, that were even younger than her. He's the real deal.
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like it a lot. i have all 3 of his bat out of hell trilogy.
enjoy them both imensly. |
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yum yum! i ♥ Meat Loaf!
the actual food sucks but this guy has great music |
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There is an amazing talent here.....and a lovable guy. Meatloaf is what happens when God given talent crosses roads with destiny. Thanks Meat for years of enjoyment!!!
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I look just like meatloaf... except I'm not as good looking.
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Meat Loaf is awesome...st r o n g voice...grea t lyrics...2 outta' 3 ain't bad!!!!!!
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I grew up with Meat Loaf's music. I love how all of his music tell stories, music just doesn't seem to do that often these days. My first ever concert was Meat Loaf and it was brilliant. Meat Loaf is an amazing performer. I agree with handler7... he is very underrated.
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Underrated in my mind. Too many think of him as taboo. Say his name and they just laugh.
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the discography is wrong there of the top of my head 5 other cds out that have been released here in the states. thats not counting the ones released overseas that havent been released state sides yet
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meat loaf was originally thought a one hit wonder with two out of three aint bad but now over 30 years and the final of the bat out of hell trilogy is out he has proved the critics wrong. Meatloaf a sound for all ages and times
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In 1984 my older brother gave me a bunch of his cassette tapes. I just got a walkman player. This is where I discovered Meat Loaf and Bat Out of Hell.
Thru the years I discovered Jim Steinman behind the scenes. I've seen Meat LIVE in concert four times. Meat is a great singer and stage performer and Jim Steinman's music really hits a chord in my soul. |
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One of the premier artists of my youth, I listen to him when i need to reconnect with the past.
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what kind of name is meat loaf! Is it reflecting his music? hahaha. :P
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Meat, Steinman and Rundgren is the ultimate triumvirate. Okay, gotta give a nod to Kasim Sulton in there also.
Can't you hear the choir sing ... In the land of the pigs the butcher is king! |
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Listen to his lyrics...lis t e n VERY carefully; he's goofing on the entire world and just stone getting away with it. He's probably the most literate, witty (not to mention sarcastic) songwriter of the last 40 years; the man's just a damn' good poet.
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I absolutely love Meat Loaf's voice and my favorite song of his is "I'd do anything for Love, but I won't do that."
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love love loooove ME some Meat Loaf the music is soo much better than the food!
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Meat Loaf is definitely my FAVORITE song artist. "Heaven Can Wait" is absolutely the number one all time song in my heart.
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loved him in rocky horror, but love him best when he is with jim steinman...b t w , jim's album "bad for good" is definitely one of my guilty pleasures!!
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Meat Loaf and Jim Steinman (one of the greatest song writers of our time) are a true dream team. BTW, I love "Bad Attitude"...
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I really love Meatloaf!!!! He is totally awesome!!!! He puts on a great concert!!!!! I would like to see him in concert again!!!
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Bat Out of Hell is one of those records that you always go back to. It's perfect for "road trips". Get behind the wheel, crank up the volumn and head out across the desert. Meatloaf rules. Loved him in Fight Club too. And love those phone commercials.
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I discovered Meat Loaf back when I was 9 (now I'm 21). His music has helped me through some of the most trying times in my life. I will be a fan of his forever!!
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I have the utmost respect for Meat Loaf, and loved him in 1993 in St Louis. I saw him two years ago in Tunica, Mississippi, and he seemed to be having the same vocal problems he was having on some earlier albums. I wish him the best and think that you just can't beat Bat Out of Hell...
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The cell phone commercial with his son and wife is hysterical-- w h o would have thought Meat Loaf would be doing commercials? Great singer--very powerful voice.
His name is Robert Paulson . . . |
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This man is truly a wonder. He continues to crank out the timeless classics, and his voice doesn't sound a day over 25!!!
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Still sounds great! After all these years "Bat out of Hell" is still one of a kind!!!!
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