Dallas born Marvin Lee Aday adopted the stage name of MEAT LOAF and after a slow start made Rock history with the truly gargantuan 'Bat Out Of Hell' opus. One of the few albums most of the world's population has heard at least once and, to date, 'Bat Out Of Hell' has sold more than 37 million albums. Incredibly, every track on 'Bat Out Of Hell' crossed over to radio success. MEAT LOAF marries an operatic grandiose musical much credited to his producer JIM STEINMAN in the early days, with an image and voice of epic proportions.

MEAT LOAF, raised in a gospel singing family, first came to attention by relocating to Los Angeles. MEAT LOAF's first foray into a recording studio came fronting a power trio led by ELECTRIC PRUNES guitarist Weazel for a three song demo. His first act proper came in 1967 titled POPCORN BLIZZARD. Although the band made progress, guesting live for THE WHO and AMBOY DUKES, POPCORN BLIZZARD folded in 1969. However, a very rare single (5'000 copies were pressed) of 'Once Upon A Time' / 'Hello' was issued laying claim to being MEAT LOAF's debut commercial recording. MEAT LOAF returned to Los Angeles forming his own band MEAT LOAF SOUL. With MEAT LOAF's larger than life stage presence and a unhealthy use of pyrotechnics MEAT LOAF SOUL soon established themselves in the clubs. The band also went under the name of FLOATING CIRCUS.

With MEAT LOAF's reputation as a vocalist the man scored a gig with the 'Hair' musical playing the character of Ulysses S Grant, later forming an alliance with fellow 'Hair' singer Stoney (later to join BOB SEGER's band) for an eponymous album on Motown's Rare Earth label. STONEY & MEAT LOAF toured in support of the record guesting for ALICE COOPER and RARE EARTH and a single, 'What You See Is What You Get' did scrape into the American charts hitting number 71.

Dates with 'Hair' then led to an appearance as Buddha in the stage musical 'Rainbow', then Jim Steinman's musical 'More Than You Deserve'. MEAT LOAF also graced the stage in a Rock version of Hamlet. Further acting credits found MEAT LOAF in the notorious 'Rocky Horror Picture Show', translating this role into the movie of the same name. The man also found time for comedy in the touring 'National Lampoon' deputising for actor James Belushi.

In 1976 MEAT LOAF laid down backing vocals on TED NUGENT's 'Free For All' album followed by a proposed project with Steinman and producer TODD RUNDGREN titled 'Neverland', a Rock Opera based on the 'Peter Pan' novels. Steinman had intended to take the vocal role but was unable to due to a broken noise- MEAT LOAF filled the gap. 'Neverland' never got beyond an idea and it was to be 1977 before Steinman and MEAT LOAF, having switched labels from RCA to Epic subsidiary Cleveland, was unleashed titled 'Bat Out Of Hell', a set of songs funded by Rundgren. Keyboards and saxophone contributions on the album came from Blues maestro EDGAR WINTER.

Although not an instant success 'Bat Out Of Hell', a biker Rock Opera, eventually forced it's way into the charts and the record collections of just about everybody. Sales wise the record was a staggering success, the album took eight years to leave British charts and stayed in the American charts for 88 weeks.

Constant promotion, starting with an ill fated tour opening for CHEAP TRICK, and touring though took its toll. In 1978 the man fell offstage in Toronto putting him in a wheelchair for a month. As the 80's dawned MEAT LOAF had yet to record a follow up due to personal and alcohol problems.1981 proved to be a desperate year for the man. Going in to record a projected album MEAT LOAF discovered he was completely incapable of singing, the excesses of the previous years having taken toll on his throat muscles. An advised lay off fortuitously was quickly broken by a request to appear in the movie 'Roadie' alongside BLONDIE's Debbie Harry. Although the film was far from a critical or commercial success it did give MEAT LOAF's voice time to heal.

Jim Steinman meanwhile was still raring to go and so MEAT LOAF granted his consent for Steinman to go ahead and record what was to be the second MEAT LOAF album solo. Steinman's effort, the well recieved 'Bad For Good' album was issued in 1981 and was a curious portent to what could have been. MEAT LOAF finally issued the official follow up 'Deadringer For Love' giving him a British number 1. The accompanying single and title track had MEAT LOAF dueting with CHER.

The 1983 album 'Midnight At The Lost And Found' would give MEAT LOAF a further UK hit single with the title track, penned by former HEAVY METAL KIDS and UFO keyboard player DANNY PEYRONEL. 'Blind Before I Stop' includes a guest appearance from noted solo guitarist RICK DERRINGER and LYNYRD SKYNYRD's Gary Rossington. Further session guitars were added by Mark Doyle, Chuck Kirkpatrick, Tom Edmonds and John Sabatero.

1984's 'Bad Attitude' featured a guest vocal from THE WHO's legendary ROGER DALTREY on the title track. The band comprised ex BALANCE guitarist Bob Kulick alongside bassist John Siegler, keyboard player Paul Jacobs and drummer Wells Kelly. Sadly, Kelly would pass away in late 1984 after choking on his own vomit after a late night party.

The MEAT LOAF touring band which cut the live 1987 album consisted of guitarist Alan Merril, keyboard player Frank Doyle and ex BALANCE and RAINBOW drummer Chuck Burgi. The same year saw MEAT LOAF teaming up with QUEEN guitarist BRIAN MAY to cut a theme sing for the International Special Olympics titled 'It's A Time For Heroes'. In August of 1988 MEAT LOAF co-headline the UK Reading Festival event alongside URIAH HEEP and STARSHIP.

With marketing resurrected legends being the forte for the early nineties, especially with the success of MIKE OLDFIELD's 'Tubular Bells II', a MEAT LOAF / Steinman reunion for 'Bat Out Of Hell II' was perhaps enevitable. Predictions proved correct as MEAT LOAF landed another enormous seller with the single 'I'll Do Anything For Love (But I Won't Do That', giving him numerous number 1's around the world. In Britain the song, backed with a lavish video, stayed at the top of the charts for a lengthy term. The album employed the vocal talents of one 'Mrs. Loud', guitarists Pat Thrall, Eddie Martinez, Tim Pierce and drummer Kenny Aaronof.

1995's 'Welcome To The Neighbourhood' proved another success giving MEAT LOAF further UK top ten hit singles opening with 'I'd Lie For You (And That's The Truth)', a duet with Patti Russo, capitalized by 'Not A Dry In The House', both numbers penned by experienced songwriter Diane Warren. In a long upheld tradition with albums minus the input of veteran composer JIM STEINMAN, a wide host of collaborators figured amongst the writing credits, such as VAN HALEN frontman Sammy Hagar on 'Amnesty Is Granted', Martha Minter Bailey on '45 Seconds Of Ecstasy', Jeff Bova on 'Fiesta De Las Almas Perdidas' and Steven Allen Davis on 'Where Angels Sing'. Sarah Durkee contributed towards the two co-written efforts 'Where The Rubber Meets The Road' and 'Runnin' For The Red Light (I Gotta Life)'. Two Steinman songs also became recycled on this venture, these being 'Left In The Dark' and 'Original Sin'. A restyled adaptation of TOM WAITS' early ballad 'Martha' also featured.

In addition to the glut of outside songwriters, a star-studded cast of renowned guitarists laid down parts - erstwhile PAT TRAVERS band member Pat Thrall, session musician Tim Pierce, SAMMY HAGAR, BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN & THE E-STREET BAND's Steven Van Zandt, DAVID LEE ROTH accredited Eddie Martinez and UTOPIA bassist Kasim Sulton. Even MEAT LOAF's daughter Pearl Aday joined the cast, an inaugural debut which saw her lending backing vocals.

In a rather bizarre turn of events, Meat loaf suddenly found his acting career resurrected when he was signed up to play the part of Britpop sensations the SPICE GIRLS' bus driver in their much anticipated movie, slated to open in late 1997. The part had originally been given to former Heavyweight Champion boxer Frank Bruno, but the film's producer decided to re-shoot his scenes with Meatloaf in his place, after Bruno had quit in a row apparently over being denied a photograph of his young son with the girls.

Following a 1999 TV special, and in keeping with tradition, 'Bat Out Of Hell' went back into British charts. A 1999 live album 'Storytellers' prompted yet another massive bout of touring in America enlisting former REDBELLY guitarist Damon La Scott.

MEAT LOAF busied himself with acting appearing in two 2000 movies 'Wishcraft' and 'Focus'. MEAT's daughter Pearl meanwhile was out on the road as a backing singer for MÖTLEY CRÜE!

The 2000 'Best Of' album included three new tracks including MEAT LOAF's version of the ballad 'No Matter What', written by Steinman and made a huge hit by Pop act BOYZONE.

It would emerge in mid 2001 that MEAT LOAF was back in the studio compiling a new album to be produced by FOREIGNER guitarist Mick Jones. Among songwriters involved in the project was JIM PETERIK of SURVIVOR and MÖTLEY CRÜE's Nikki Sixx. Former SEBASTIAN BACH band and ANTHRAX guitarist Paul Crook joined up with MEAT LOAF's touring band in early 2003. A double live album, ''Bat Out Of Hell - Live With The Melbourne Symphony', emerged in September 2004 on the Sanctuary label.

The Autumn of 2005 found MEAT LOAF back in the studio crafting tracks for 'Bat Out Of Hell III - The Monster Is Loose' with producer DESMOND CHILD. Guitar work would be contributed by former ANTHRAX and SEBASTIAN BACH guitarist Paul Crook. In May 2006 the album title track, co-composed by Nikki Sixx of MÖTLEY CRÜE and the MARILYN MANSON, TWO and ROB ZOMBIE credited JOHN 5, was leaked to the internet. It was learned in late May that QUEEN guitarist BRIAN MAY had tracked guitars on the song 'Bad For Good'.

As a background to this activity in the studio it transpired that MEAT LOAF and JIM STEINMAN had fallen out over rights to use the 'Bat Out Of Hell' title. The singer filed a federal lawsuit on May 26th, claiming the 'Bat Out Of Hell' phrase was publicly associated with him since the 1977 release of his famous album.

Upon its release in November 2006 'Bat Out Of Hell III - The Monster Is Loose' sold over 80,000 copies in its first week of US sales to debut at number 8 on the Billboard album charts.