We send our deepest sympathies to his loved ones.
Meat Loaf, whose debut record, Bat Out of Hell, was one of the best-selling albums of all time, died of COVID-19 at the age of 74. Michael Greene, the singer’s manager, announced his death on Thursday night.
A source close to the situation told TMZ that the Grammy winner born Marvin Lee Aday, was supposed to attend a business dinner earlier this week in preparation for a show he’s working on called “I’d Do Anything for Love,” but was forced to postpone it after contracting COVID, which caused his health to deteriorate rapidly and become life-threatening.
In a statement released on the actor’s verified Facebook page, his family wrote, “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!”
In the wake of his death, many of his fellow singers and musicians flocked to social media to express their condolences.
“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, who worked with Meat Loaf on the 1981 song “Dead Ringer for Love,” said in a tweet.
“I hope paradise is as you remember it from the dashboard light, Meat Loaf,” remarked Stephen Fry, a writer and actor who performed alongside Meat Loaf on Saturday Night Live. “He had the quality of being simultaneously frightening and cuddly.”
“The vaults of heaven will be ringing with rock,” stated composer Andrew Lloyd Weber, who also paid homage to the singer. “RIP Meatloaf.”
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
😢
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
The vaults of heaven will be ringing with rock. RIP Meatloaf. Give my best to Jim. – ALW
— Andrew Lloyd Webber (@OfficialALW) January 21, 2022
Meat Loaf was one of the legendary rock vocalists of all time. A staggering 65 million copies were sold for his 1977 album “Bat Out of Hell,” and “Two out of three ain’t bad” was one of the album’s biggest singles, reaching #11 on the Billboard Hot 100 list.
Years later, he released “Bat Out of Hell II: Back Into Hell,” which delivered the number-one song “I’d Do Anything for Love (But I Won’t Do That),” where he received a Grammy nomination for Best Solo Rock Vocal Performance.
In addition, the cult classic “The Rocky Horror Picture Show,” “Fight Club,” and “Wayne’s World” are just a few of his films and television appearances.
Reactions to Legendary Rock Singer Meat Loaf Passed Away
Meat Loaf just showed up down here like a bat out of Hell.
Meat Loaf just showed up down here like a bat out of Hell.
— The Devil (@LucifersTweetz) January 21, 2022
#RIPMEATLOAF WHAT A LEGEND 😢 Blasting this Meat Loaf classic all day today 🎸
#RIPMEATLOAF WHAT A LEGEND 😢 Blasting this Meat Loaf classic all day today 🎸 pic.twitter.com/EaXeoyoJTt
— Andre Saint-Albin (@AndreSaintAlbin) January 21, 2022
Meat Loaf.. Louie Anderson..
Meat Loaf..
— Batman: TAS (@TheAnimatedBat) January 21, 2022
Louie Anderson.. pic.twitter.com/mw4OaDlaGu
FREDDIE MERCURY & MEATLOAF(RIP)🙏🏻
FREDDIE MERCURY & MEATLOAF(RIP)🙏🏻 pic.twitter.com/VWUurkgV8q
— 👩🎤REBEL QUEEN👨🎤👑🖤 (@FREDDIELOVEVD) January 21, 2022
Time to revisit one of my favourite memes of all time… #Meatloaf
Time to revisit one of my favourite memes of all time… #Meatloaf pic.twitter.com/YWzpUPUf4k
— Dr Owain Connors (@OwainConnors) January 21, 2022