American star rocker Meat Loaf, famous for ‘Bat Out of Hell’, one of the best-selling albums of all time, has died aged 74.
“It is with a broken heart that we announce that the incomparable Meat Loaf has left tonight, his wife Deborah by his side,” according to a message posted on Facebook. “His daughters Pearl and Amanda and close friends have been with him throughout the past 24 hours.”
The precise reason for his death was not specified in this message.
Consecrated in the 1970s for his vocal and scenic qualities, Meat Loaf – whose stage name means “meatloaf” in reference to his imposing stature – had worldwide success in 1977 with his album “Bat out of Hell”. (over 43 million copies sold).
He relaunched his career in 1993 with the hit “I’d Do Anything for Love (But I Won’t Do That)”, which won him a Grammy Award, the equivalent of the Oscars for the American music industry. .
In total, he has sold more than 100 million albums during a career spanning 60 years.
“Politically incorrect”
Born in Texas, the singer, whose real name is Marvin Lee Aday, also made a name for himself in the cinema for his roles in cult works, such as the musical “The Rocky Horror Picture Show” (1975) or the film ” Fight Club” (1999) by David Fincher. He also appeared as the Spice Girls’ driver in the comedy “Spice World, the movie”.
He was among the few prominent American singers, outside of country, to actively support the Republican Party, such as during the 2012 presidential campaign, when he called for voting for Mitt Romney against the eventual winner of the election. , Barack Obama.
He also assured on Facebook during the release of his last album, “Brave Then We Are”, in 2016, that this opus was “explicit and politically incorrect (I hate political correctness)”.
Meat Loaf had known some health problems, in particular with the vocal cords. In 2015, the musician resumed concerts after a two-year hiatus, putting an end to rumors of his musical retirement.
He had been the victim in 2016 of an illness on stage in Canada. He previously passed out on stage in London in 2003 and in Pittsburgh in 2011.