Photo by Ted Aljibe/AFP via Getty Images.
Marvin Lee Aday, the singer and actor better known as Meat Loaf, passed away on Thursday, his manager Michael Green confirmed in a post to his Facebook page. A larger-than-life character, he frequently gave conflicting reports of his age but was believed to be 74 at the time of his death.
Born in Dallas to a family of gospel singers, Aday left for Los Angeles as a teen to pursue a career in entertainment. He worked as a bouncer before founding his first band, Meat Loaf Soul, in 1968. He later travelled to New York, where he won a role in a Broadway production of Hair. At the audition, he met Jim Steinman, a producer and lyricist who would go on to be his chief collaborator.
Aday and Steinman worked together on Meat Loaf's debut album, 1977's Bat Out of Hell, which remains one of the best-selling albums all time, certified as 14x platinum in the United States. Two of its singles — "Two Out of Three Ain't Bad" and "Paradise by the Dashboard Lights" — went platinum on their own, each selling over a million physical copies. 16 years later, Steinman wrote another platinum single for Aday: Meat Loaf's "I'd Do Anything For Love (But I Won't Do That)" with Lorraine Crosby.
Aday went on to make 11 albums in the 50 years following Bat Out of Hell and act in over 100 film and TV roles, including notable performances in Fight Club and The Rocky Horror Picture Show.
Read his manager's full statement on his death below.
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.
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.
From his heart to your souls…don’t ever stop rocking!