Meat Loaf: Iconic rock star and actor dead at 74

Meat Loaf, the iconic rock star whose debut album, Bat Out of Hell, still ranks as one of the top five highest-selling albums of all time (43 million copies), is dead at 74. According to Deadline, no official cause of death was given, but he died surrounded by his family, including wife Deborah, and daughters Pearl and Amanda, as well as friends, so the singer must have been ill for some time. Of course, this is a significant blow to all of us who grew up idolizing the singer, who was born Marvin Lee Aday and acted under the tongue-in-cheek name Meat Loaf Aday (get it?).

If you went by his musical success alone, it would be easy to call Meat Loaf an icon, but when you consider that he also went on to become one of the best character actors in Hollywood, the loss is monumental. He first blasted his way into the public consciousness as the motorcycle-riding Eddie in The Rocky Horror Picture Show (both on stage and film), brilliantly singing “Hot Patootie – Bless My Soul,” but it was his album Bat Out of Hell that made him a legend. A collaboration with the late Jim Steinman, the album spawned at least two of the best driving songs of all time, “Two of Three Ain’t Bad” and “Paradise by the Dashboard Light.” His musical career was lower-key in the eighties, but he had a significant comeback in the nineties with Bat Out of Hell II: Back Into Hell, which had the classic “I’d Do Anything For Love (But I Won’t Do That)” – which became his biggest hit. Roles in movies like Fight Club (where he famously played Bob Paulson under a pair of prosthetic breasts), Black Dog, The Mighty and more also proved he was a terrific actor, and he seemed to be loved by just about everyone.

Indeed, after news of his passing hit Twitter was flooded with tributes to the man:

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.

— Boy George (@BoyGeorge) January 21, 2022

I hope paradise is as you remember it from the dashboard light, Meat Loaf. Had a fun time performing a sketch with him on Saturday Live way back in the last century – https://t.co/RxoH36OYHw

— Stephen Fry (@stephenfry) January 21, 2022

We wanted you, we needed you–and we loved you. Three out of three after all, Meatloaf. You will be missed.

— George Takei (@GeorgeTakei) January 21, 2022

Had So Much Fun With Meatloaf When We Did “Dead Ringer”. Am Very Sorry For His Family,Friends,& Fans. Am I imagining It, or Are Amazing Ppl In The Arts Dying every other Day⁉️
?

— Cher (@cher) January 21, 2022

A gentle hearted powerhouse rockstar forever and ever. You were so kind. Your music will always be iconic. I’m sure you’re singing concerts in the great beyond. Rest In Peace sir. #MeatLoafRIP #Meatloaf pic.twitter.com/9twdJcOeP1

— ADAM LAMBERT (@adamlambert) January 21, 2022

I am shocked & saddened by the sudden death of Meat Loaf. He was, as you might imagine, a larger than life character with a voice & stage presence to match & is one of those rare people who truly was a one off talent and personality. Rest In Peace

— Bonnie Tyler (@BonnieTOfficial) January 21, 2022

From us here at JoBlo – rest in peace sir.

What’s your favourite memory of this iconic singer/actor? Let us know in the comments below!