01of 14Meat Loaf Is BornMichael Putland/GettyBorn in Dallas on Sept. 27, 1947, as Marvin Lee Aday, Meat Loaf fell in love with music at a young age. He got his start in school productions, moving to Los Angeles in his early 20s and quickly finding luck in both the movie and music industries.As for his uniquely famous stage name, which became his legal name, he toldmultiple “how it came to be” storiesthrough the years: anything from looking “like nine and a half pounds of ground chuck” when he was born (per theNew York Times) to earning the nickname in school for his short, stout stature and his initials (in a 1978 PEOPLE interview).
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Meat Loaf Is Born
Michael Putland/Getty
Born in Dallas on Sept. 27, 1947, as Marvin Lee Aday, Meat Loaf fell in love with music at a young age. He got his start in school productions, moving to Los Angeles in his early 20s and quickly finding luck in both the movie and music industries.
As for his uniquely famous stage name, which became his legal name, he toldmultiple “how it came to be” storiesthrough the years: anything from looking “like nine and a half pounds of ground chuck” when he was born (per theNew York Times) to earning the nickname in school for his short, stout stature and his initials (in a 1978 PEOPLE interview).
02of 14Meat Loaf in The Rocky Horror Picture ShowStanley Bielecki Movie Collection/GettyHis first big movie moment came in the 1975 cult classicThe Rocky Horror Picture Show,as lobotomized rocker Eddie.
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Meat Loaf in The Rocky Horror Picture Show
Stanley Bielecki Movie Collection/Getty
His first big movie moment came in the 1975 cult classicThe Rocky Horror Picture Show,as lobotomized rocker Eddie.
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Meat Loaf and Jim Steinman
“Our songs are sardonic, operatic, desperate, extreme and really passionate,” Steinman told PEOPLE in 1978. “There’s something dangerous to it — rock should have a mystic dimension. The fun is going over the edge.”
04of 14Meat Loaf on StageMichael Putland/GettyMeat Loaf quickly became known for his one-of-a-kind stage presence: moving dramatically on stage, giving his all to his epic songs. In a 1978 PEOPLE profile he even spoke of needing oxygen after a series of shows in New York City.“I didn’t even remember going out or coming off [stage],” he said. “I passed out completely.” But, he said, “Our show creates a lot of real excitement.“Steinman added: “We looked like the Eagles after a bad day — I mean the Philadelphia Eagles.”
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Meat Loaf on Stage
Meat Loaf quickly became known for his one-of-a-kind stage presence: moving dramatically on stage, giving his all to his epic songs. In a 1978 PEOPLE profile he even spoke of needing oxygen after a series of shows in New York City.
“I didn’t even remember going out or coming off [stage],” he said. “I passed out completely.” But, he said, “Our show creates a lot of real excitement.”
Steinman added: “We looked like the Eagles after a bad day — I mean the Philadelphia Eagles.”
05of 14Meat Loaf and His First Wife, Leslie EdmondsStaff/Mirrorpix via GettyMeat Loaf wed Leslie Edmonds in the mid-1970s. She had daughter Pearl from a previous relationship, and in 1981, welcomed daughter Amanda with the rocker.“People see this big scary guy,” Amanda told PEOPLE in 1999. “But he’s just a dad.” Added Leslie, “We’re in bed in time for the news. He’s not one of those rock stars who feels he has to live it.““I was much happier taking a Little League team to 10-0,‘‘Meat Loaf once told PEOPLE, ‘‘than I was selling 10 million albums.‘‘Loaf and Leslie split in 2001.
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Meat Loaf and His First Wife, Leslie Edmonds
Staff/Mirrorpix via Getty
Meat Loaf wed Leslie Edmonds in the mid-1970s. She had daughter Pearl from a previous relationship, and in 1981, welcomed daughter Amanda with the rocker.
“People see this big scary guy,” Amanda told PEOPLE in 1999. “But he’s just a dad.” Added Leslie, “We’re in bed in time for the news. He’s not one of those rock stars who feels he has to live it.”
“I was much happier taking a Little League team to 10-0,‘‘Meat Loaf once told PEOPLE, ‘‘than I was selling 10 million albums.’’
Loaf and Leslie split in 2001.
06of 14Meat Loaf’s Continued Music CareerMeat Loaf.Alan Singer/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via GettyLoaf went on to release 11 more albums followingBat Out of Hell,several of which went Gold or Platinum. His touring continued, too, with fans eating up his dramatic shows.The singerfrequently talked about his weight and health struggles. In the 1970s, after he strained his voice, he battled depression and alcoholism before staging a comeback in the 1980s.He alsosuffered from Wolff-Parkinson-White, a condition that caused an irregular heartbeat, according toRolling Stone,and had several back surgeries and knee surgery in the mid-aughts. A stage collapse in 2016 led him to further open up about some of his ailments.
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Meat Loaf’s Continued Music Career
Meat Loaf.Alan Singer/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty
Loaf went on to release 11 more albums followingBat Out of Hell,several of which went Gold or Platinum. His touring continued, too, with fans eating up his dramatic shows.
The singerfrequently talked about his weight and health struggles. In the 1970s, after he strained his voice, he battled depression and alcoholism before staging a comeback in the 1980s.
He alsosuffered from Wolff-Parkinson-White, a condition that caused an irregular heartbeat, according toRolling Stone,and had several back surgeries and knee surgery in the mid-aughts. A stage collapse in 2016 led him to further open up about some of his ailments.
07of 14Meat Loaf’s Famous FriendsRichard E. Aaron/WireImageThe star hanging with singers Teddy Pendergrass and Debbie Harry in an undated photo. Meat Loaf’s musical prowess led him to collaborations and relationships with a host of famous faces, including Cher, Boy George, Jennifer Hudson and songwriter Diane Warren.
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Meat Loaf’s Famous Friends
Richard E. Aaron/WireImage
The star hanging with singers Teddy Pendergrass and Debbie Harry in an undated photo. Meat Loaf’s musical prowess led him to collaborations and relationships with a host of famous faces, including Cher, Boy George, Jennifer Hudson and songwriter Diane Warren.
08of 14Meat Loaf on BroadwayBruce Glikas/WireImageThough busy with both song and screen, Meat Loaf also picked up roles on and Off-Broadway in the 1970s, in productions likeRainbowandHair.HisBat Out of Helland its two sequels even became a show, too, debuting in London in 2017 and later moving to New York City in 2019 (Meat Loaf, at a curtain call in N.Y.C., did not appear in the production).
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Meat Loaf on Broadway
Bruce Glikas/WireImage
Though busy with both song and screen, Meat Loaf also picked up roles on and Off-Broadway in the 1970s, in productions likeRainbowandHair.HisBat Out of Helland its two sequels even became a show, too, debuting in London in 2017 and later moving to New York City in 2019 (Meat Loaf, at a curtain call in N.Y.C., did not appear in the production).
09of 14Meat Loaf Wins a Grammy AwardDespite his commercial success —Bat Out of Hellremains one of the best-selling albums of all time — Meat Loaf won just one Grammy Award, best solo rock vocal performance in 1994 for “I’d Do Anything For Love (But I Won’t Do That).”
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Meat Loaf Wins a Grammy Award
Despite his commercial success —Bat Out of Hellremains one of the best-selling albums of all time — Meat Loaf won just one Grammy Award, best solo rock vocal performance in 1994 for “I’d Do Anything For Love (But I Won’t Do That).”
10of 14Meat Loaf in Spice WorldEverettHis film credits kept ticking up, though: he appeared inWayne’s Worldin 1992,Spice World(pictured) in 1997 andFight Clubin 1999, among other big-screen hits.
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Meat Loaf in Spice World
Everett
His film credits kept ticking up, though: he appeared inWayne’s Worldin 1992,Spice World(pictured) in 1997 andFight Clubin 1999, among other big-screen hits.
11of 14Meat Loaf and His Second Wife, Deborah GillespieMeat loaf and Deborah Gillespie.Dennis Clark/GettyIn 2007, Meat Loaf married his second wife, Deborah Gillespie, here with him at a 2002 event in N.Y.C.
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Meat Loaf and His Second Wife, Deborah Gillespie
Meat loaf and Deborah Gillespie.Dennis Clark/Getty
In 2007, Meat Loaf married his second wife, Deborah Gillespie, here with him at a 2002 event in N.Y.C.
12of 14Meat Loaf on The Celebrity ApprenticeEverettThe star almost made it to the finale of 2011’sThe Celebrity Apprentice 4,falling behind Marlee Matlin and eventual winner John Rich. Here, he works with costar La Toya Jackson.
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Meat Loaf on The Celebrity Apprentice
The star almost made it to the finale of 2011’sThe Celebrity Apprentice 4,falling behind Marlee Matlin and eventual winner John Rich. Here, he works with costar La Toya Jackson.
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Meat Loaf on Monk
USA Network
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Meat Loaf’s Later Years
Meat Loaf.Cameron Richardson/Newspix/Getty
Meat Loaf continued working through 2021, appearing most recently onEli Roth’s History of Horrorafter releasing his final album,Braver Than We Are,in 2016.
On Jan. 21, 2022, PEOPLE confirmed the singerhad died at the age of 74.
“His amazing career spanned 6 decades that saw him sell over 100 million albums worldwide and star in over 65 movies, includingFight club,Focus,Rocky Horror Picture ShowandWayne’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 understanding of our need for privacy at this time. From his heart to your souls… don’t ever stop rocking!”
source: people.com
