Meat Loaf

September 27, 2025

Fast Facts
Background
Career Timeline
Why We Love
Surprising Facts
FAQs

Michael Lee Aday, born on September 27 and better known as Meat Loaf, was a celebrated American singer and actor. He produced the album “Stoney & Meatloaf” with singer Shaun Murphy, and the single ‘What You See Is What You Get’ ranked 36th on the Best Selling Soul Singles chart (now known as Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs). It wasn’t until the early 1970s that he began his career in the film industry with none other than the cult classic “The Rocky Horror Show.” It’s safe to say that this Grammy Award–winning artist was one of the greats. This month, we celebrate his birth and all the successes he reaped in life!

Fast Facts

Full Name:

Michael Lee Anday

Nickname:

Meat Loaf

Birth date:

September 27, 1947

Death date:

January 20, 2022 (age 74)

Zodiac Sign:

Libra

Height:

5' 10"

Net Worth:

$40 million

Background

Meat Loaf was born as Marvin Lee Aday on September 27, 1947, in Dallas, Texas. The son of police officer Orvis Aday and his wife, Wilma, he got his infamous nickname from his stocky stature. He attended North Texas State University after graduating from high school but later left Texas behind to start a new life in Los Angeles, where he worked as a janitor and started his first band, Meat Loaf Soul, which disbanded after several member changes and name alterations. He then found success in the theater, landing a role in a new musical called “Hair.” His run eventually took him to Broadway, where the young performer made a name for himself.

He played Eddie and Dr. Scott in the theatrical version of “The Rocky Horror Picture Show.” In 1975, he took the show to the big screen. The film was an unexpected hit, making USD 112 million in ticket sales over the next three decades. While filming, he also began recording what would become his legendary album, the rock opera “Bat Out of Hell” (1977), produced by Todd Rundgren with Jim Steinman, who wrote all the songs and would be his frequent co-collaborator. The album has sold over 34 million copies worldwide and made Meat Loaf a multiplatinum rockstar.

Over the following years, Meat Loaf continued to produce music, including the album “Bat Out of Hell II: Back into Hell,” a monster hit made with Steinman. Anchored by the popular single ‘I’ll Do Anything for Love (But I Won’t Do That),’ the album sold over 15 million copies. He and Steinman released his next album, “Brave and Crazy,” in 2016. Unfortunately, Meat Loaf passed away from COVID-19 complications in 2022. Nevertheless, we’re confident that his songs and legacy will live forever.

Career timeline

1971

Meat Loaf Debuts “Stoney & Meatloaf”

He releases his first ever musical album.

1975

He Stars in His First Film

He stars in “The Rocky Horror Picture Show” alongside Tim Curry, Susan Sarandon, and Barry Bostwick.

1977

“Bat Out of Hell” is a Success

His and Steinman’s first album together, one of the best-selling albums worldwide, is released and garners more attention for the singer.

1992

He Expands His Filmography

He plays Tiny in “Wayne’s World.”

1993

He and Steinman Revisit a Favorite

The musicians debut “Bat Out of Hell II: Back into Hell,” featuring the hit ‘I’d Do Anything For Love (But I Won't Do That),’ considered an extension of their first album together.

2016

Meat Loaf’s Final Album

He and Steinman release “Braver Than We Are,” the last album they recorded together before their deaths.

Why We Love Meat Loaf

He was true artist
Meat Loaf came into the world to make art. His vocation was creating wonderful things, whether they be music, films, or theater performances. Creating was his great passion.
He was unapologetic
This great performer knew no restrictions when it came to creating his shows. He gave his fans all of himself during concerts, in the theater, or through the roles he played on the big screen.
He was a family man
His other great passion was undoubtedly his family. Fortunately, many photographs show him spending time with them while always smiling.

5 Surprising Facts

He had two daughters
After he adopted Pearl, his first wife’s daughter from a previous marriage, he and his wife had their daughter Amanda.
“Bat Out Of Hell” is still rocking
The album has now sold over 40 million copies worldwide and continues to sell 200,000 copies annually.
He loved crazy band names
“Floating Circus,” “Popcorn Blizzard,” and, of course, “Meat Loaf Soul” are some of his early band names.
He was a pork chop lover
True fans know that pork chops were his favorite food.
He didn’t care his music wasn’t mainstream
He once said, “Please shoot me and put me out of my misery!” when asked how he would feel if critics were kinder to his music.

Meat Loaf FAQs

Why is Meat Loaf called Meat Loaf?

He had red skin when he was born, so his father nicknamed him “Meat Loaf” because he reminded him of “nine and a half pounds of ground chuck.” His classmates called him ‘meatloaf’ because of his short yet stocky frame.