Meat Loaf
"The sirens are screaming and the fires are howling Way down in the valley tonight..."
The opening lyrics to one of the world's best known songs, "Bat Out Of Hell", by Meat Loaf and Jim Steinman which spent a staggering 9 years in the album charts! Each of the tracks from the album was a chart success also in its own right.
Meat Loaf had chart success again, this time dueting with Cher, with "Dead Ringer".Topping the UK chart at number 5 and staying in the charts for another 19 weeks. The album itself reached number 1 in the UK.
Despite financial problems during this time and declaring bankruptcy, he was contractually obliged to make another record. "Midnight at the Lost and Found" was released in 1983 which was not as successful as his previous records.
In 1984 Meat Loaf released "Bad Attitude" which was recorded in the UK. "Modern Girl" was the biggest hit released from the album. The song "Nowhere Fast" was first performed by another group, Fire Inc. in 1984 for the movie "Streets of Fire". Although not written for Meat Loaf it has the advantage of being written by Jim Steinman, therefore being easily adapted with minor changes to suit Meat Loaf's distinctive style.
As a consequence to Meat Loaf's hard work and constant touring in the 80's, work on a new album began which was to be heralded as one of the greatest comebacks in music history. "Bat Out of Hell ll: Back Into Hell" was released in September 1993 reaching number 1 in countries around the world. The single "I'd Do Anything for Love (But I Won't Do That)" was number 1 in 28 countries world wide.
Following the release of "Welcome to the Neighborhood" and "Couldn't have Said It Better", came the last in the trilogy of Bat Out of Hell albums, "Bat Out of Hell lll: The Monster Is Loose", released in October 2006.
Meat Loaf also starred in the film version of, "The Rocky Horror Picture Show"
in which he played Eddie, an ex delivery boy and Dr Everett Von Scott's nephew. His part was short lived though. After breaking out of the vault and singing Hot Patootie, he met his demise at the end of an ice pick by a jealous Franken Furter whilst in a jealous rage.