Michael Lee Aday (September 27, 1947 – January 20, 2022), better known by his stage name Meat Loaf, was an American singer and actor. He was known for his powerful, wide-ranging voice and theatrical live shows. His Bat Out of Hell album trilogy—Bat Out of Hell (1977), Bat Out of Hell II: Back into Hell (1993), and Bat Out of Hell III: The Monster Is Loose (2006)—has sold more than 100 million records worldwide, making him one of the best-selling music artists of all time. The first album stayed on the charts for over nine years and is one of the best-selling albums in history, still selling an estimated 200,000 copies annually as of 2016.
Meat Loaf’s career in the 1980s was a period of significant ups and downs. Following the phenomenal success of Bat Out of Hell, which was a slow-burning smash hit, Meat Loaf’s relationship with his collaborator, songwriter Jim Steinman, became strained. This, combined with legal and financial troubles (including declaring bankruptcy in 1983) and personal health issues, made for a challenging start to the decade.
A key factor was the absence of Jim Steinman. While Steinman had written nearly all the songs on Bat Out of Hell, the two had a falling out. Meat Loaf’s subsequent albums of the decade were made without Steinman’s distinctive songwriting and production style, and they generally did not achieve the same level of commercial success, particularly in the United States.
While his US career struggled, Meat Loaf maintained a more loyal fanbase in Europe, particularly in the UK. His albums often charted higher there and he was able to continue touring to support his career. He even had some UK hit singles like “Modern Girl” in 1984.
Despite the setbacks, Meat Loaf’s live performances remained electric. His theatrical style—sweaty, passionate, and emotionally over-the-top—continued to draw large audiences, especially overseas. By the late 1980s, he began reconciling with Jim Steinman, laying the groundwork for their triumphant 1993 reunion on Bat Out of Hell II: Back into Hell, which would bring him back to worldwide fame.
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