The legendary rock singer Meat Loaf has died at the age of 74.
The news was confirmed by the singer's family in a Facebook post shared on Friday morning. The post read:
"Our hearts are broken to announce that the incomparable Meat Loaf passed away tonight surrounded by his wife Deborah, daughters Pearl and Amanda and close friends.
"His amazing career spanned 6 decades that saw him sell over 100 Million albums worldwide and star in over 65 movies, including 'Fight Club', 'Focus', 'Rocky Horror Picture Show' and 'Wayne’s World'.
"'Bat Out of Hell' remains one of the top 10 selling albums of all time."
The post continued: "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.
"We thank you for your understanding of our need for privacy at this time."
Finally, the statement concluded: "From his heart to your souls…don’t ever stop rocking!"
Meat Loaf was born Marvin Lee Aday in Dallas, Texas on September 27, 1947. He legally changed his name from Marvin to Michael in 1984. (In 2003, he revealed to The Guardian that he changed his name after being teased as a child over a Levi's radio advert that featured the line: "Poor fat Marvin can't wear Levi's".)
He developed a love of performing during his time at Thomas Jefferson High School, taking part in school productions like Where's Charley? and The Music Man. He would graduate from high school in 1965.
In his autobiography, Meat Loaf: To Hell and Back, Aday revealed that the name "Meat Loaf" came from one of his old football coaches, who gave him the nickname because of his size.
Following the death of his mother, Aday traveled to Los Angeles where he formed the band Meat Loaf Soul. Despite being offered several recording contracts, the band turned them all down and continued to play around the state. After several name changes and band member changes, Aday eventually quit the band in order to join the cast of a touring production of the musical Hair.
This fateful role eventually led to a record offer from Motown Records.
His career surged throughout the 1970s, starting with the release of the 1971 album, Stoney & Meatloaf - which he released with fellow Hair cast member Shaun "Stoney" Murphy. Although the album failed to chart, it was only the beginning of Meat Loaf's everlasting impact on the music industry.
Following his performance in the 1973 stage production of The Rocky Horror Picture Show, Meat Loaf was picked to reprise his role as Eddie for the 1975 movie.
Meat Loaf's first solo album, Bat Out of Hell, was released in 1977 to overwhelming success.
It has since sold more than 43 million copies worldwide and has been certified 14 times Platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America. The album featured beloved tracks such as 'Two Out of Three Ain't Bad' and, of course, 'Bat Out of Hell'.
However, his newfound stardom led to battles with cocaine and alcohol. In his own words, Meat Loaf said: "I was nuts. I mostly turned it inward. And it was all over being famous. I didn't want people to call me a star."
Despite support from his wife Leslie Edmunds, who he married in 1978, his relationship with collaborator Jim Steinman became fraught.
Steinman composed all the songs for Meat Loaf's 1981 follow-up album, Dead Ringer, but played no further part in its production. Once again, the album was a success, hitting number 1 in the UK album charts.
By 1993, Meat Loaf and Steinman had repaired their relationship and released the album Bat Out of Hell II. The duo's iconic gothic operatic rock sound led to the album reaching the top of the charts in the US, UK, and Australia.
The album also featured the single 'I'd Do Anything for Love (But I Won't Do That)', which reached number 1 in 28 countries. The track also led to Meat Loaf winning a Grammy Award for Best Solo Rock Vocal Performance.
Meat Loaf and Edmunds divorced in 2001, but he once again found love with Deborah Gillespie. The two married in 2007.
The singer was also a father to two daughters. Pearl was Edmunds' daughter from a previous relationship, and Meat Loaf adopted her as a child and she took the last name Aday. His second daughter Amanda, whom he shares with Edmunds, was born in 1981.
He is survived by his wife Deborah and daughters Pearl and Amanda.
Our thoughts are with Aday's family, friends, and fans at this time.
