Meat Loaf, whose Bat out of Hell set a new bar for theatricality in stadium rock, has died at the age of 74. He picked up swarms of friends and followers across his 45-year career, and tributes have come pouring in.
“The vaults of heaven will be ringing with rock,” Andrew Lloyd Weber wrote on Twitter. “RIP Meat Loaf. Give my best to Jim,” he added, referencing Meat Loaf’s longtime collaborator, Jim Steinman, who died last April.
Cher recalled that she “Had So Much Fun With Meat Loaf 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!?”
Boy George recalled his sense of humor: “R.I.P Meat Loaf. Love and prayers to all his family and close friends. He once turned me upside down in a Chinese Restaurant in St Johns Wood.”
“I hope paradise is as you remember it from the dashboard light, Meat Loaf,” Stephen Fry said. “Had a fun time performing a sketch with him on Saturday Live way back in the last century.”
Bonnie Tyler wrote, “I am shocked & saddened by the sudden death of Meat Loaf. He was, as you might imagine, a larger than life character with a voice & stage presence to match & is one of those rare people who truly was a one off talent and personality. Rest In Peace.”
Legendary metal drummer Mike Portnoy remarked, “Much will be said about Meat Loaf in the coming days & his incredible career…but Eddie [in Rocky Horror Picture Show] will always be my earliest and fondest memory of him! My condolences to Pearl & Scott and to all who knew him…”
Check out a selection of tributes below.
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
R.I.P Meatloaf. Love and prayers to all his family and close friends. He once turned me upside down in a Chinese Restaurant in St Johns Wood.
— Boy George (@BoyGeorge) January 21, 2022
I am shocked & saddened by the sudden death of Meat Loaf. He was, as you might imagine, a larger than life character with a voice & stage presence to match & is one of those rare people who truly was a one off talent and personality. Rest In Peace
— Bonnie Tyler (@BonnieTOfficial) January 21, 2022
I don’t keep pictures from films around home. But I have this one in my office in a frame bc it makes me smile every time. It’s engraved ‘Love and Hugs, Meat’ it sums him up well. He was so funny. And gentle. And warm to everyone. A sweet soul. RIP Meat Loaf pic.twitter.com/aMrIgXByEc
Advertisement— Edward Norton (@EdwardNorton) 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
Meat Loaf. What a legend. Rest in peace – Rick x pic.twitter.com/oKfdfetUhh
— Rick Astley (@rickastley) January 21, 2022
Much will be said about Meat Loaf in the coming days & his incredible career…but Eddie will always be my earliest and fondest memory of him! My condolences to Pearl & Scott and to all who knew him…🙏 #RIPMeatLoaf pic.twitter.com/f06vkN1XQl
— Mike Portnoy 🤘 (@MikePortnoy) 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
A gentle hearted powerhouse rockstar forever and ever. You were so kind. Your music will always be iconic. I’m sure you’re singing concerts in the great beyond. Rest In Peace sir. #MeatLoafRIP #Meatloaf pic.twitter.com/9twdJcOeP1
— ADAM LAMBERT (@adamlambert) January 21, 2022
He was passionate. A softie. Kind. And talented as hell. And he was my friend. My heart is broken into a million pieces. RIP my friend, Meat Loaf. pic.twitter.com/SP0BPJ9AaX
— Marlee Matlin (@MarleeMatlin) January 21, 2022
