Meat Loaf, ‘Bat out of Hell’ rock superstar, dies at 74
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NEW YORK (AP) — Meat Loaf, the heavyweight rock superstar loved by millions for his “Bat Out of Hell” album and for such theatrical, dark-hearted anthems as “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),” has died. He was 74.
The singer born Marvin Lee Aday died Thursday, according to a family statement provided by his longtime agent Michael Greene.
“Our hearts are broken to announce that the incomparable Meat Loaf passed away tonight,” the statement said. “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… From his heart to your souls…don’t ever stop rocking!”
No cause or other details were given, but Aday had numerous health scares over the years.
“Bat Out of Hell,” his mega-selling collaboration with songwriter Jim Steinman and producer Todd Rundgren, came out in 1977 and made him one of the most recognizable performers in rock. Fans fell hard for the roaring vocals of the long-haired, 250-plus pound singer and for the comic non-romance of the title track, “You Took The Words Right Out of My Mouth,” “Two Out of Three Ain’t Bad” and “Paradise By the Dashboard Light,” an operatic cautionary tale about going all the way. “Paradise” was a duet with Ellen Foley that featured play by play from New York Yankees broadcaster Phil Rizzuto, who alleged — to much skepticism — that he was unaware of any alternate meanings to reaching third base and heading for home.
After a slow start and mixed reviews, “Bat Out of Hell” became one of the top-selling albums in history, with worldwide sales of more than 40 million copies. Meat Loaf wasn’t a consistent hit maker, especially after falling out for years with Steinman. But he maintained close ties with his fans through his manic live shows, social media and his many television, radio and film appearances, including “Fight Club” and cameos on “Glee” and “South Park.”
Friends and fans reacted to the death on social media.
“I hope paradise is as you remember it from the dashboard light, Meat Loaf,” actor Stephen Fry said on Twitter.
Meat Loaf’s biggest musical success after “Bat Out of Hell” was “Bat Out of Hell II: Back into Hell,” a 1993 reunion with Steinman that sold more than 15 million copies and featured the Grammy-winning single “I’d Do Anything for Love (But I Won’t Do That).”
Steinman died in April.
Aday’s other albums included “Bat Out of Hell III: The Monster is Loose,” “Hell in a Handbasket” and “Braver Than We Are.”
A native of Dallas, Aday was the son of a school teacher who raised him on her own after divorcing his alcoholic father, a police officer. Aday was singing and acting in high school (Mick Jagger was an early favorite, so was Ethel Merman) and attended Lubbock Christian College and what is now the University of North Texas. Among his more notable childhood memories: Seeing John F. Kennedy arrive at Love Field in Dallas on Nov. 22, 1963, then learning the president had been assassinated and driving to Parkland Hospital and watching a bloodied Jackie Kennedy step out of a car.
He was still a teenager when his mother died and when he acquired the nickname Meat Loaf, the alleged origins of which range from his weight to a favorite recipe of his mother’s. He left for Los Angeles after college and was soon fronting the band Meat Loaf Soul. For years, he alternated between music and the stage, recording briefly for Motown, opening for such acts as the Who and the Grateful Dead and appearing in the Broadway production of “Hair.”
By the mid-1970s, he was playing the lobotomized biker Eddie in the theater and film versions of “The Rocky Horror Picture Show,” had served as an understudy for his friend John Belushi for the stage production of National Lampoon and had begun working with Steinman on “Bat Out of Hell.” The dense, pounding production was openly influenced by Wagner, Phil Spector and Bruce Springsteen, whose bandmates Roy Bittan and Max Weinberg played on the record. Rundgren initially thought of the album as a parody of Springsteen’s grandiose style.
Steinman had known Meat Loaf since the singer appeared in his 1973 musical “More Than You Deserve” and some of the songs on “Bat Out of Hell,” including “All Revved Up With No Place to Go,” were initially written for a planned stage show based on the story of Peter Pan. “Bat Out of Hell” took more than two years to find a taker as numerous record executives turned it down, including RCA’s Clive Davis, who disparaged Steinman’s songs and acknowledged that he had misjudged the singer: “The songs were coming over as very theatrical, and Meat Loaf, despite a powerful voice, just didn’t look like a star,” Davis wrote in his memoir, “The Soundtrack of My Life.”
With the help of another Springsteen sideman, Steve Van Zandt, “Bat Out of Hell” was acquired by Cleveland International, a subsidiary of Epic Records. The album made little impact until months after its release, when a concert video of the title track was aired on the British program the Old Grey Whistle Test. In the U.S., his connection to “Rocky Horror” helped when he convinced producer Lou Adler to use a video for “Paradise By the Dashboard Light” as a trailer for the cult movie. But Meat Loaf was so little known at first that he began his “Bat Out of Hell” tour in Chicago as the opening act for Cheap Trick, then one of the world’s hottest groups.
“I remember pulling up at the theater and it says, ‘TONIGHT: CHEAP TRICK, WITH MEAT LOAF.’ And I said to myself, ‘These people think we’re serving dinner,’” Meat Loaf explained in 2013 on the syndicated radio show “In the Studio.”
“And we walk out on stage and these people were such Cheap Trick fans they booed us from the start. They were getting up and giving us the finger. The first six rows stood up and screamed. … When we finished, most of the boos had stopped and we were almost getting applause.”
He is survived by Deborah Gillespie, his wife since 2007, and by daughters Pearl and Amanda Aday.
AP Entertainment Writer Andrew Dalton contributed from Los Angeles.
Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.
March for Life, Biden-Japan PM meeting, Meat Loaf dies: 5 things to know Friday
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Editors
USA TODAY
March for Life 2022 expected to bring crowd to National Mall
Anti-abortion activists will take to downtown Washington D.C. Friday for the 49th annual March for Life event, held every year on the anniversary of the 1973 Supreme Court decision in Roe v. Wade. The rally will begin at noon on the National Mall including a live concert and remarks from speakers, followed by a 1 p.m. march from Constitution Avenue to the U.S. Supreme Court building. Speakers at this year’s event include actor Kirk Cameron, best known for his role on the sitcom Growing Pains; Rep. Julia Letlow, R-La.; Rep. Chris Smith, R-N.J.; Toni McFadden, founder of Relationship Matters, a youth education program, and Lisa Robertson of the reality show “Duck Dynasty,” among others.
Prefer to listen? Check out the 5 Things podcast:
Biden, new Japanese prime minister to meet virtually
President Joe Biden and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida will hold their first formal talks on Friday as the two leaders face fresh concerns about North Korea’s nuclear program and China’s growing military assertiveness. The virtual meeting comes after North Korea earlier this week suggested it might resume nuclear and long-range missile testing that has been paused for more than three years. Kishida was elected in November – the two leaders will be meeting for the first time. In April, Biden met in person with then-Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga, who traveled to Washington.
Rock superstar Meat Loaf dies at age 74
Meat Loaf, the rock superstar loved by millions for his “Bat Out of Hell” album and for such theatrical, dark-hearted anthems as “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),” has died. He was 74. The singer born Marvin Lee Aday passed away Thursday, according to a family statement posted on his official Facebook page. No cause or other details were given, but Aday had numerous health scares over the years. “Our hearts are broken to announce that the incomparable Meat Loaf passed away tonight,” the statement said. “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… From his heart to your souls…don’t ever stop rocking!” He is survived by Deborah Gillespie, his wife since 2007, and by daughters Pearl and Amanda Aday.
Blinken meets with Russian Foreign Minister in person
Secretary of State Antony Blinken is meeting with his Russian counterpart, Sergey Lavrov, in Geneva on Friday. It follows a trip to Ukraine, where Blinken met with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and other officials in the capital of Kyiv, stating that the U.S. and its allies were steadfast in backing the country and its democratic aspirations amid growing fears of a potentially imminent Russian invasion. Blinken’s meeting with Lavrov is aimed at testing Russia’s willingness to resolve the crisis diplomatically, officials said. Blinken spoke to the Russian foreign minister by phone on Tuesday, when Lavrov reaffirmed that Russia expects a written response this week from the U.S. and its allies to Moscow’s request for binding guarantees that NATO will not embrace Ukraine or any other ex-Soviet countries or station its forces and weapons there. Blinken underscored to Lavrov on Tuesday that any discussion of European security “must include NATO Allies and European partners, including Ukraine,” the State Department said.
Parts of Southeast await a blast of winter weather
Several schools have canceled classes in coastal areas of the Carolinas and Virginia and authorities are urging drivers to stay off potentially icy roads amid forecasts of snow, sleet and freezing rain. The governors of North Carolina, South Carolina and Virginia declared states of emergency ahead of the latest winter storm system sweeping into the region Thursday and a round of snow expected to follow Friday night into Saturday. The wintry blast could ice over a large swath of eastern North Carolina and the northeastern corner of South Carolina, while dumping snow around Norfolk, Virginia, the National Weather Service said. Much of the region has been slammed by a series of snow and ice events in the last three weeks, sometimes dumping more than a foot of snow in areas that often don’t see that much all year. Winter storm warnings and advisories remained in effect for more than 25 million Americans, the vast majority in the South.
Contributing: The Associated Press
Meat Loaf, Grammy-winning American singer and actor, dies at 74
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Meat Loaf, born Marvin Lee Aday, was best known for Bat Out Of Hell, one of the best-selling albums of all time. He also appeared in over 65 movies, including The Rocky Horror Picture Show.
Copyright 2022 NPR
Meat Loaf
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NEW YORK (AP) — Meat Loaf, the heavyweight rock superstar loved by millions for his “Bat Out…
Eric Akis: Meatloaf for two, a comfort-food classic
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By popular request, chef serves up another easy recipe that serves two
As noted in a recent column, over the last long while, I have been getting requests from readers for recipes that serve two. Dinners a couple could enjoy while nestled in at home looking forward to the day the pandemic ends.
I’ve cooked up quite a few of them and today have another one, a comfort food classic: meatloaf. It’s a dish with a less than glamourous name than can taste absolutely wonderful when seasoned and handled right.
My latest version of it is a free form loaf cooked on a baking sheet. It’s richly flavoured with such things as Dijon mustard, horseradish, Worcestershire sauce, soy sauce and onion powder. Those and the other ingredients used, such as an egg and a bit of milk, make the beef mixture fairly moist, yielding a tender meatloaf. The especially true if you don’t vigorously mix the ingredients together, which could compact the ground meat and make the meatloaf tougher in texture when cooked.
I served the meatloaf with gravy and country-style garlic mashed potatoes. As you’ll see in the recipe for the potatoes, it’s a more rustic-style preparation where the potatoes are mashed with the skins on.
You can serve the meatloaf and potatoes with a green vegetable, such as peas or green beans. Or, do what I did, and serve it with charred broccoli. To make it, you cook and occasionally turn small broccoli florets a few minutes in a hot, oil-free skillet, until starting to char around the edges. You then add a bit of water to the pan, season with salt and pepper, and simmer and steam the broccoli until bright green and just tender.
Meatloaf for Two
Tender, full-of-flavour meatloaf, that you can plate and serve with gravy, mashed potatoes and a green vegetable, such as broccoli, peas or beans.
Preparation time: 20 minutes
Cooking time: 35 to 40 minutes
Makes: two servings
1 large egg
2 Tbsp milk
1 tsp Dijon mustard
1 tsp horseradish
1 tsp Worcestershire sauce, plus a splash
1 tsp soy sauce
1/4 tsp dried thyme
1 large garlic clove, minced
1/2 tsp onion powder
3 Tbsp dried breadcrumbs
1/2 tsp salt
• freshly ground black pepper, to taste
400 grams lean ground beef
2 Tbsp barbecue sauce or HP sauce
2 Tbsp butter
2 Tbsp all-purpose flour
1 1/2 cups beef stock
Preheat oven to 350 F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Place beef, egg, milk, mustard, horseradish, 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce, soy sauce, thyme, garlic, onion powder, breadcrumbs, salt and pepper in a mixing bowl. Gently mix to combine. Set beef mixture in the middle of the baking sheet. Moisten your hands lightly with cold water, and then shape the meat into a loaf-shape that about seven-inches long and four-inches wide. Brush the top of the meatloaf with barbecue sauce (or HP sauce). Bake for 35 to 40 minutes, or until the centre of the meatloaf reaches 160 F or above on an instant-read meat thermometer.
While meatloaf bakes, make gravy by placing the butter in a small pot set over medium heat. When butter is melted, mix in the flour and cook and stir two to three minutes, until a brown roux forms. Slowly, while stirring steadily, whisk in 1/2 cup of the stock. When mixture becomes thick, slowly whisk in remaining stock. Add a splash of Worcestershire sauce, bring gravy to a simmer, simmer two minutes, and then remove from the heat and cover.
When cooked, set meatloaf on a cutting board, tent with foil and let rest a few minutes. While it rests, return gravy to a simmer, taste it, and season with salt and pepper, as needed. Slice and plate the meatloaf and serve with the gravy.
Country-style Garlic Mashed Potatoes
I call this country-style, because the potatoes are rustically mashed with the skins on and flavoured with garlic and tangy sour cream.
Preparation time: 10 minutes
Cooking time: 18 to 20 minutes
Makes: two servings
1 lb. unpeeled yellow-fleshed potatoes, quartered (see Note)
3 large garlic cloves, thickly sliced
1 Tbsp butter
2 Tbsp sour cream
1 to 2 Tbsp milk
• salt and ground white pepper, to taste
1 small green onion, halved lengthwise, and then thinly sliced widthwise (optional)
Place potatoes and garlic in a pot, cover with two-inches of cold water and bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Reduce the heat and gently simmer potatoes until very tender, about 18 to 20 minutes.
Drain potatoes well, ensuring the garlic stays in the pot, and then thoroughly mash. Beat in the butter, sour cream and milk. Now mix in the salt, pepper and green onion, if using, and serve.
Note: Three medium, or two large, yellow-fleshed potatoes should yield the amount needed here.
Eric Akis is the author of eight cookbooks. His columns appear in the Life section Wednesday and Sunday.