Meat Loaf dies: Bat Out of Hell singer passes away aged 74

Music icon Meat Loaf has died aged 74.

The singer, whose real name is Marvin Lee Aday, died with his wife Deborah by his side on Thursday night (local time), his agent confirmed.

"Our hearts are broken to announce that the incomparable Meat Loaf passed away tonight with his wife Deborah by his side. Daughters Pearl and Amanda and close friends have been with him throughout the last 24 hours," a statement released to Meat Loaf's official Facebook page read.

"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.

"Bat Out of Hell remains one of the top 10 selling albums of all time."

The post added: "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. We thank you for your understanding of our need for privacy at this time.

"From his heart to your souls... don't ever stop rocking!"

Meat Loaf is responsible for one the US's biggest selling albums, Bat Out of Hell.

His most successful hit I’d Do Anything for Love (But I Won’t Do That) spent five weeks at No. 1 in 1993.

He has sold more than 100 million albums worldwide.

Meat Loaf had spoken openly about health issues that had plagued him. He collapse on stage in 2003 at Wembley Arena in London.

A spokesman for his record label, Mercury, told The Guardian at the time that he "collapsed from exhaustion due to a prolonged viral infection. It is not life-threatening."

In 2011, he fainted on stage in Pittsburgh, however after a few minutes on the ground he got back up and finished the show.

The singer announced in 2013 that he was quitting touring after 35 years, telling Reuters: "This is really it ... I just don't want to travel anymore.

"I outweigh (Mick) Jagger by about 100 pounds and that counts for something. He hasn't seen the wear and tear."

In 2016 he left shocked fans when he collapsed on stage during a performance in Alberta, Canada.

He later told the Press Association he had emergency back surgery the month before and he was “in pain”.

“I’m just ready to sit down because four weeks ago I had spinal fusion,” he said. “There was a cyst which was pinching nerves so I had emergency back surgery.”

He also told The Mirror at the time that he was sick of talking about it, saying: “Listen, I am not dying. After three months of therapy I will be fine. I am sick of talking about it. I don’t want to talk about it from now on.

"And anyone else who asks me the question, I’m not going to respond to it.

“I had MRIs and the doctors said I had a little cyst but that it had grown and was pushing against the nerves.

“But when the doctor opened up my back to remove it… it was almost like ­emergency surgery. There are now little nuts and bolts in there.”

Meat Loaf spoke with Rolling Stone in 2018 about his ongoing health issues, saying he had an arachnoid cyst removed from his back. .

He revealed he couldn't get into bed at night without the help of his wife, Deborah and “because it hurts my back, I haven’t been able to sing in a year,”

“You use everything to sing, and I just cannot do it," he said.

“From how I grew up, that's where I learned to be tough and to never stop. I mean, I'm tough as nails. Once I was hit in the head with a pool cue and just turned to the guy and said, 'You just made a big mistake.'

"Got hit in the head with a whiskey bottle. Had my head slammed into a locker. I've had 18 concussions. And nothing, nothing has ever put me down. Yeah, man – I never go down."

He noted: “my back is driving me crazy. But then I'm probably a little crazy anyway, because of all the concussions.”

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