One-of-a-kind rock star, GRAMMY winner and actor Meat Loaf has died. He was 74. While no cause of death was given, the news was confirmed with a statement on the artist's Facebook page.
"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," reads the statement. "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!"
Born on September 27, 1947, Marvin Lee Aday would change his name to Michael as an adult, though he was best known by the childhood nickname that he would adopt as his stage name, Meat Loaf. He met longtime collaborator composer Jim Steinman in the early 1970s, and subsequently released his debut album, Bat Out of Hell, in 1977.
Going on to become one of the best-selling albums of all time, Bat Out of Hell became the first in a trilogy, which also consisted of Bat Out of Hell II: Back into Hell in 1993 and Bat Out of Hell III: The Monster Is Loose in 2006. Meat Loaf released 12 albums in total, most recently 2016's Braver Than We Are.
It was Bat Out of Hell II which contained the iconic power ballad "I'd Do Anything for Love (But I Won't Do That)," Meat Loaf's first and only No. 1 single, and the track that won him his GRAMMY Award for Best Solo Rock Vocal Performance in 1994.
Meat Loaf was also known for his decades of acting, most infamously as Eddie in 1975's cult classic The Rocky Horror Picture Show. He also had roles in the 1992 smash hit comedy Wayne’s World, the 1997 Spice Girls musical comedy Spice World, and David Fincher’s 1999 magnum opus Fight Club, where his name was Robert Paulson. He most recently starred on the Syfy series Ghost Wars until 2018.
Co-stars, fellow musicians and fans alike, including Fight Club star Edward Norton, Cher, Boy George and more, took to social media following the news of Meat Loaf's passing to pay tribute to him:
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