The music world lost a giant late Thursday evening. Marvin Lee Aday, known to millions around the world as Meat Loaf, passed away due to complications caused by Covid-19. Known for his unbelievable voice, passionate performances and unique image; he is the current record holder for most albums sold with the lowest number of albums released. ‘Bat Out of Hell’ and ‘Bat Out of Hell II: Back Into Hell’ have cumulatively sold roughly 80 million copies. And that number just keeps going up.
Like many artists, Meat Loaf’s career was filled with adversity combined with ups and downs. ‘Bat Out of Hell’ initially wasn’t too well received. And like many albums, took about a year to really take off. However, once it did, Bat Out of Hell mania hit North America and Europe with a tidal wave of audience fury. The album quickly shot up the charts and began to sell. And sell…and sell. Until it stopped. Meat Loaf was burned out. His voice was shot and he couldn’t perform. Collaborator Jim Steinman released a solo project that was intended to be the follow up to ‘Bat Out of Hell.’ But it failed miserably. By the time they got things rolling again for 1981’s ‘Dead Ringer,’ the music landscape had radically changed. The time between the late 70’s and early 80’s doesn’t quite get the recognition in how music changed as say the late 60’s and early 70’s. Or the late 80’s into the early 90’s. But a lot of acts, like Meat Loaf, who was already obscure to begin with, had fallen by the wayside.
Meat released a number of albums sans Steinman in the 80’s: ‘Midnight at the Lost and Found,’ ‘Bad Attitude’ and ‘Blind Before I Stop.’ All of which performed well in the European Market. But completely failed to make any showings in the U.S.. But eventually, the powers that be in the music industry guided Meat and Steinman back together. They put together the Neverland Express and toured on ‘Bat Out of Hell.’ And they kept touring and touring, into the early 90’s. This was the wave in which ‘Bat Out of Hell’ sold a major chunk of its legendary status. After years of building, the time was right. In 1993, ‘Bat Out of Hell II: Back Into Hell’ was unleashed. Powered by its massive, number one hit ‘I Would Do Anything For Love, But I Won’t Do That,’ it went number one in over a dozen countries. Reigniting Meat’s career and sending him into the eternal stratosphere. And for good reason. It’s a perfect album from top to bottom.
The follow up, ‘Welcome to the Neighborhood,’ recaptured the same energy and remains Meat’s strongest non ‘Bat’ album. Fueled by classics such as ‘When the Rubber Meet’s the Road,’ ‘I’d Lie For You (And That’s the Truth)’ and ‘Amnesty is Granted.’ ‘Welcome to the Neighborhood’ stands as a true Meat Loaf classic. As strong as any ‘Bat’ album. And while it performed well, it didn’t really live up to the hope the record company had for the album. After the tour, Meat decided to focus on his acting career. Providing memorable performances in the films like ‘Black Dog’ and ‘Fight Club.’ However, he did make a musical comeback with the highly underrated ‘Couldn’t Have Said it Better.’ Released in 2003, the album was largely overlooked. Despite it having some of Meat’s strongest material. The title track, ‘Testify,’ and ‘Did I Say That?’ are all pure Loaf and then some. Truly some his best work.
The years following were quiet. Some thought that Meat Loaf was retired. I know I did. Then, all of a sudden, summer of 2006, rumblings of a third ‘Bat’ album started to make the rounds. And bam, it was released to massive success and yet another massive world tour. Charged with tracks such as ‘Blind as a Bat,’ ‘Cry Over Me’ and ‘If it Ain’t Broke, Break it,’ ‘Bat Out of Hell III: The Monster’s Loose’ went eight times platinum in just a few months. Defying all odds of the music market at the time. Unfortunately, Meat Loaf would push himself too hard on the tour. Not that that’s anything new. Eventually, his voice started to crack again. But he forged on an actually released two more great albums: 2010’s ‘Hang Cool Teddy Bear’ and 2012’s ‘Hell in a Handbasket.’ Which he sounds great on. But things would catch up with Meat Loaf around 2013. Many said he should retire. Particularly after suffering a stroke around that time. For better or worse, Meat kept going and did one final album with Jim Steinman entitled ‘Braver Than We Are.’ And despite it suffering from age and a lack of awareness, it’s still very sweet that the two got back together one last time before bowing out of this Earth. The cover is particularly heart warming. Especially that they’re together once again.
The man was prolific. The word ‘legend’ gets thrown around a lot. But Meat Loaf was truly a legend. Despite what his beliefs may have been. And the fact that they were ultimately his undoing. His music will live on forever. His voice will ring the annals of popular music for generations to come. Maybe even forever. Thanks for the memories Meat. R.I.P.
