The stage name itself had roots in his childhood. He was a “chunky” baby, reports Rolling Stone, and the singer claimed that within four days of his birth, his father, a violent alcoholic, was calling him “Meat.” His size also attracted merciless teasing from classmates.
That turned around when he joined his high school football team. Around that time he also discovered he had a three-and-a-half-octave vocal range. After what he described as a murder attempt by his father, he set out on his own for Los Angeles, where he formed a band called Meat Loaf Soul.
“Bat Out of Hell” was his ticket to rock royalty, as well as roles in films like “Fight Club” and “Leap of Faith.” His recording career faltered until he released “Bat Out of Hell II: Back Into Hell” with its chart-topping single “I Would Do Anything for Love (But I Won’t Do That)” and a Grammy for Best Solo Rock Vocal Performance.
He collapsed onstage in 2016 during a performance in Edmonton, Canada. It was his last tour.
