“Our hearts are broken to announce that the incomparable Meat Loaf passed away tonight surrounded by his wife Deborah, daughters Pearl and Amanda and close friends,” his family wrote in a statement on his Facebook page. “His amazing career spanned 6 decades that saw him sell over 100 Million albums worldwide and star in over 65 movies, including Fight Club, Focus, Rocky Horror Picture Show and Wayne’s World." Ever humble, Meat Loaf didn’t want to be called a star. “I consider myself just another human being with a different job as a plumber,” he told Dan Rather. Meat Loaf was born Marvin Lee Aday in Texas on Sept. 27, 1947. (He later changed his name to Michael Lee Aday.) After his mother died after battling breast cancer, he headed to Los Angeles to become a performer and created the band Meat Loaf Soul. He ultimately got cast in the Broadway musical Hair playing several roles. That opportunity led to him being cast in the musical More Than You Deserve by Jim Steinman. The duo formed a creative partnership and would go on to be collaborators for decades. Steinman wrote the songs for the album Bat Out of Hell. With songs like “You Took The Words Right Out of My Mouth,” “Two Out of Three Ain’t Bad” and “Paradise by the Dashboard Light,” Bat of Hell would go platinum 14 times over and become one of the world’s bestselling albums. “We know how much he meant to so many of you and we truly appreciate all of the love and support as we move through this time of grief in losing such an inspiring artist and beautiful man,” wrote his family. “From his heart to your souls…don’t ever stop rocking!” As news of his death spread, fond memories flooded social media. Here are some of the best tributes to Meat Loaf. Next, Why We Grieve Celebrities—and Why That’s Good for Our Health
