Fellow performers are paying tribute to Meat Loaf, the larger-than-life singer and actor who died on January 20, 2022 at age 74. The remembrances range from sadness to warmth to humor.
We start with Ellen Foley, who first gained prominence by singing “Paradise By the Dashboard Light” with Meat Loaf on Bat Out of Hell.
Beautiful, feisty joyful friendship. Meat and Jim brought me into the consciousness of the rock ‘n’ roll world. And through ‘Paradise by the Dashboard Light,’ I get to be a horny teenager for all time.
Meat: I will love you forever.
(Photo may be subject to copyright) pic.twitter.com/wI2uNzgNHd— Ellen Foley (@EllenFoleyNYC) January 21, 2022
The vaults of heaven will be ringing with rock. RIP Meatloaf. Give my best to Jim. – ALW
— Andrew Lloyd Webber (@OfficialALW) January 21, 2022
From Alice Cooper: “Meat Loaf was one of the greatest voices in Rock N Roll, and he was certainly one of my closest friends in the business. He was really so much fun, truly fun to be around. He just felt like a best friend to everyone no matter how long it had been since you last saw him. We worked together many times over the years and he was always a force. He was a real theatrical character like I was so our shows went really well together.
“I remember when you would see his show, he would treat the audience almost like a Pentecostal Preacher and he was so powerful on stage. Working with Meat Loaf was one of the main reasons I wanted to do the movie Roadie in the first place – I wanted to watch him show off his acting chops. He plays the ultimate roadie on this quest to be the best in the world. But that’s what he did in life too – he always wanted to be the best at what he was doing… And I think he succeeded. There was nobody, and I mean nobody like Meat Loaf. His shoes can never be filled.”
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
From Kasim Sulton, part of the lineup that performed on Bat Out of Hell, said, “Heartbreaking news to learn of the death of my dear friend Meat Loaf. I’m forever grateful for the years spent working with him on stage and in the recording studio.
“His ability to capture and entertain an audience was a gift. My thoughts and prayers are with his family.”
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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
Debbie and Meatloaf in a limo around 1979-80 ❤️ pic.twitter.com/ZuYIiHJj3a
— Cʜʀɪs Sᴛᴇɪɴ (@chrissteinplays) 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
Meat Loaf had a starring role in the 1999 feature film, Fight Club. The film’s lead, Edward Norton, shared this memory.
I don’t keep pictures from films around home. But I have this one in my office in a frame bc it makes me smile every time. It’s engraved ‘Love and Hugs, Meat’ it sums him up well. He was so funny. And gentle. And warm to everyone. A sweet soul. RIP Meat Loaf pic.twitter.com/aMrIgXByEc
— Edward Norton (@EdwardNorton) 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
From Bebe Buell: “I first met Meat when he was staying in Bearsville NY while Todd Rundgren was recording and producing his Bat Out Of Hell masterpiece. I was still living with Todd at that time and I was pregnant with Liv [Tyler].
“He was a really nice guy. He and Jim Steinman sort of turned Woodstock on its ear for the time they were in town and I nicknamed him ‘Mighty Meat’ after Mighty Mouse and he loved it! We shared a love of the paranormal and he believed there were ghosts at the Bearsville guest quarters where he was bunking. The house and studio Todd had in nearby Lake Hill wasn’t far away and one night he called me screaming to come get him! Todd was working so I threw on my coat and went to fetch him and bring him to our place on Mink Hollow Road. He said that some presence had come into his room and pulled his covers off! Well, I believed him because it had long been legend that the house was haunted.
“My heart is with those who loved him and now he’s with Jim Steinman where they can create more heavenly musical rarities… 💔💔💫”
The company of Jim Steinman’s Bat Out of Hell the Musical here in the UK is deeply saddened to hear of the passing of their great friend and producer, Meat Loaf.
The beat is yours forever. pic.twitter.com/pmPfQAXbAC
— Bat Out Of Hell (@BatTheMusical) January 21, 2022
Meat Loaf’s death was on the same day that Paul Stanley turned 70. He wrote, “He was one of a kind. Who could you compare him to?? No one. That’s how you define greatness.”
Meat Loaf. What a legend. Rest in peace – Rick x pic.twitter.com/oKfdfetUhh
— Rick Astley (@rickastley) January 21, 2022
Three madmen living all in a row. @RealMeatLoaf, @Pat_Boone and Me. Who would ever believe that the 3 of us would have lived next door to each other. Rest well my friend, you will be sorely missed but never forgotten. #MeatLoaf
— Ozzy Osbourne (@OzzyOsbourne) January 22, 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
Very sad. R.I.P. #Meatloaf pic.twitter.com/oUj4toYz5T
— Elvira (@TheRealElvira) January 21, 2022
Meat Loaf, (Marvin Lee Aday) passed away last night at the age of 74. Bob and I had the unique pleasure of performing with him, supporting the incredible “Bat Out of Hell” album. He was a uniquely brave and passionate man and a talent that I will miss. @RealMeatLoaf pic.twitter.com/KBGkpROTnb
— Bruce Kulick (@brucekulick) January 21, 2022
Wow Meatloaf. His Bat Out Of Hell album blew our collective minds and is still one of best-sellers of all time. Passed away last night at 74.
What a guy, makes you cry.
And I did— Martha Quinn Ⓥ (@MarthaQuinn) January 21, 2022
#MeatLoaf 09/27/1947 – 01/20/2022
You were a sweetheart of a guy pic.twitter.com/AiYAs8guyC— Lenny Kravitz (@LennyKravitz) January 21, 2022
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Jump into a conversationAnother probably forgotten film from the “Roadie” era is “Americathon”. Terrific, eclectic cast (Meat, Tommy Lasorda, Fred Willard among many others) and a wonderful soundtrack LP featuring an under-appreciated Eddie Money song, “Get a Move On”.
Bonus points if you know the narrator. Mucho bucks if you bought stock in the company controlled by Chief Dan George.