Remembering Meat Loaf

2021-09-27

On a hot summer night, would you offer your throat to the wolf with the red roses?

Will he offer me his mouth?
Yes.
Will he offer me his teeth?
Yes.
Will he offer me his jaws?
Yes.
Will he offer me his hunger?
Yes.
Again, will he offer me his hunger?
Yes!
And will he starve without me?
Yes!
And does he love me?
Yes.
Yes.
On a hot summer night, would you offer your throat to the wolf with the red roses?
Yes.
I bet you say that to all the boys.

You Took the Words Right Out of My Mouth
From the album Bat out of Hell by Meatloaf
Introduction by Jim Steinman and actress Marcia McClain
Cleveland International Epic
Produced by Todd Rundgren

When I was in the Navy the work of the performer Meatloaf became an item in my music collection. He was already an item in the music collections of my peers since about the late 1960s.

It was his album 'Bat out of Hell' that caught my attention. Specifically the track entitle 'Hot Summer Night'. I was a fan from then on.

I even call my young great nephew Nathan "Meatloaf" in his honor. I do believe the moniker is lost upon the boy however.

Michael Lee Aday was born Marvin Lee Aday on September 27, 1947. He was better known as Meat Loaf due to his physical stature I would guess. He is an American singer and actor noted for his powerful, broad acoustic range and those theatrics incorporated into his live shows.

He sold many records as part of his Bat Out of Hell franchise:

Bat Out of Hell,
Bat Out of Hell II: Back into Hell, and
Bat Out of Hell III: The Monster Is Loose

were quite the money making trilogy in the music world during my younger days.

He was typically fluffed and buffed during performances with formal shirts, ruffles, French cuffs, hair and makeup. Then he would go on stage and knock them dead. Some of his riffs are the stuff of legend like the powerful ending to "All Revved Up with No Place to Go" Afterward there were the oxygen mask and panting with sweat rivulets running down his face — but he could entertain like nobody's business. I would always take a moment to indulge his performances when they intersected my attention at various places and times in my life. His was a magnificent presence on stage and a powerhouse sound uncommon in my lifetime.

Anyway today is Meatloaf's birthday. Happy birthday to you !