ONE HELL OF A RIDE - ‘I WAS TOO REBELLIOUS AND TOO CRAZY TO STUDY OPERA'

AFTER MEAT LOAF’S DEATH AGED 74, OK! PAYS TRIBUTE TO THE LARGER THAN LIFE SINGER WHO CHANGED THE ROCK ‘N’ ROLL LANDSCAPE

- ANNA MATHESON

On Friday of last week, the world woke up to the sad news that singer and actor Meat Loaf had passed away, aged 74. The celebrity world sent tributes with Boy George sharing, “Love and prayers to all his family”, while Cher recalled dueting on his hit Dead Ringer For Love. And referencing another of the star’s songs, Stephen Fry said, “I hope paradise is as you remember it from the dashboard light.”

With his operatic voice and larger-than-life demeanour, the star – who was born Marvin Lee Aday – had been a mainstay of the rock ‘n’ roll scene since his seminal album, Bat Out Of Hell, hit the charts in 1977.

A post on Meat Loaf’s official Facebook page on January 21 read, “Our hearts are broken to announce that the incomparable Meat Loaf passed away with his wife Deborah by his side. Daughters Pearl and Amanda and close friends have been with him throughout the last 24 hours. 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!”

At the time of OK! going to press, the cause of death had not been confirmed – although there was a suggestion he may have been suffering from Covid-19.

Meat Loaf’s passing was a sad day for rock ‘n’ roll fans, who had watched the star grow from his breakout role in The Rocky Horror Show to the multi-million-selling artist whose Bat Out Of Hell album remains one of the biggest of all time.