No more results on this page
Some people think big. Some people think huge. And then there's Meat Loaf.
For the past 35 years, the man born Marvin Lee Aday has been a towering monument on the musical landscape. His legendary 1977 album Bat Out Of Hell transformed this former high school football player, nightclub bouncer and stage actor into one of the great American rock 'n' roll icons. That record, with its staggering operatic sound and impassioned vocals, has sold more than 43 million albums worldwide - still one of the biggest-selling records ever.
Meat Loaf's reputation as one of music's greatest artists was underlined by such masterpieces as Dead Ringer (1981), Bad Attitude (1984) and the Bat Out Of Hell sequels Bat Out Of Hell II: Back Into Hell (1993) and Bat Out Of Hell III: The Monster Is Loose (2006). Other artists might have tried to match his scale and copy his sound, but no one has come close.
Now, more than 30 years after he exploded onto the world stage, Meat Loaf is back with a new record, Hang Cool Teddy Bear (a title taken from a line in the classic Russ Meyer trash movie Beyond The Valley Of The Dolls). From opener "Peace On Earth" to closer "Elvis In Vegas," its 13 tracks drag the classic Meat Loaf sound kicking and screaming into the 21st century.
"I wanted it big, I wanted it dramatic, I wanted a rock record," says Meat Loaf. "Yes, it sounds like a Meat Loaf record. But it sounds different too - it sounds new, it sounds fresh. It speaks to you in a different way."
Much of this newfound energy can be put down to Meat Loaf's working relationship with his new collaborator, producer Rob Cavallo (Green Day, My Chemical Romance Paramore, Fleetwood Mac). For the singer, it was a chance to work with one of the hottest producers around. For Cavallo, it was an opportunity to work with a childhood hero and a proper rock 'n' roll legend.
"Rob is the Number 1 rock producer in the world because he leaves his ego out of the equation and gives an artist his voice, making it sound better than the artist could even imagine," says Meat. "I was like a fisherman looking for a big mouthed bass. I put on the right worm. The first song I played to him, I hooked him. The second song, I nailed him."
The pair hit it off immediately, and this electrifying creative partnership immediately raised the bar several feet. Meat Loaf brought more than 40 songs to the table, which the duo whittled down to the 13 that appear on the final record, including the furious "Living On The Outside" and hilarious first single "LosAngeloser."
But there was one other piece to the jigsaw: Los Angeles-based screenwriter and director Kilian Kerwin, a long-time friend of the singer. As with every classic Meat Loaf album, Hang Cool Teddy Bear has a bigger concept. It was one of Kerwin's short stories that inspired the singer to come up with the album's striking narrative.
"It's the story of a soldier," reveals Meat Loaf. "He's been in battle and he's lying face down on the ground. He can't move, but he turns his head and starts to see blood run across the ground, and so he thinks he's going to die. They always say you see your life flash backwards you when you're about to die. But his life flashes forward - into what possibly could happen. He sees what his life could be - the good and the bad. The songs are the different scenarios he finds himself in. It's not always the same time or the same place - but it's always the same woman. But I don't want to give too much away - I want people to work it out for themselves."
To flesh out his vision, Meat Loaf enlisted a set of elite musicians to play on the album, including guitarists Tim Pierce, Darkness frontman Justin Hawkins (who co-wrote two songs for the album), Paul Crook and Randy Flowers, legendary bass players Chris Chaney and Kasim Sulton, genius keyboardist Jamie Muhoberac and the world's greatest rock drummer (just ask Rob Cavallo) John Micelli. Hang Cool Teddy Bear also features a stellar array of big-name guests, including Steve Vai (who appears on "Love is Not Real"), former Queen guitarist Brian May (who appears on "Song Of Madness" and "Love Is Not Real"), American Idol presenter Kara DioGuardi (who co-wrote and sings on "If I Can't Have You") and Hollywood star Jack Black, who duets with Meat Loaf on "Like A Rose."
But the most surprising guest is Hugh Laurie - the English actor famous for starring in Blackadder and hit US TV show House. It was while making a guest appearance on the latter that Meat Loaf met Laurie and discovered that he was a classically-trained pianist. What else could he do but ask the actor to play piano on the song "If I Can't Have You?"
"He was really nervous at first," recalls Meat Loaf. "It was strange seeing someone so confident on a TV set walk into the studio like he's a quivering mess. But he nailed it. He's talking about playing it with us if we ever go on American Idol."
"What I love about Hugh, Jack and Kara," says Meat Loaf, "is that sometimes you get people coming to the studio, and they have their manager and a bodyguard and an entourage - it's this endless stream of people. The three of them, they just drove up to the studio in their own cars, no bullsh*t no fronts, just real people. And I love real people."
But for all the star guests, Hang Cool Teddy Bear is Meat Loaf's album - his own dirty little secret. More than four decades into his career, the man - and his voice - is as big, bold and important as ever.
"How do I keep the fire burning?" he asks. "I don't know. I just do. I'd bet in advance that if I sat with somebody in a room and said to them, 'I'll give you five pounds if you don't go 'Whoah!' after the first song', they'd forget about the five pounds and they'd go 'Whoah!' You can't help it. And it's like that across all the songs. This record is spectacular!"
Really bad! Poor Meatloaf can't carry a tune anymore. And when he made out with his backup singer I almost threw up! I'm sure there is a law against that!!! Don't waste your money on this concert - go buy a cd and relive your childhood that way, attending this concert will just leave you sad.
Meatloaf just can't sing those songs anymore. He was out of breath and missing lyrics all night. Just a terrible show
never saw him before. glad i went but disappointed on some of his older songs. voice just wasn't there.
I think the crowd cheered as a courtesy. Meatloaf has no voice left and every song was just pathetic. He should lip since and explain to his fans his condition instead of pain full trying to find a key. It's amazing that he can get gigs. It's a shame he's lost the ability to sing.
I've tried to see Meatloaf since I was a kid and was elated to finally see one of my favorite artists of all time. It gives me no joy to say that this..."performance " was the most heart breakingly AWFUL of anything I've ever seen or heard. Meatloaf can no longer sing. At all. As in, not even a little. He lumbered about the stage, shouting incoherently into the mic, looking confused or stone faced the entire time. His voiced cracked constantly and he was never remotely on key. Perhaps the worst moment was watching this 60+ man making out with his 20 something back up singer while they staggered through "Paradise by the Dashboard Light". That was just...ewww.
Show was a great time. Keep rocking Meat Loaf. Looking forward to seeing you next time
Meat Loaf is still a good showman, but he man simply CANNOT sing any more. Most of the songs did not sound anything like the good ol' days. He should not be able to tour anymore. His voice is just awful. Very disappointed in the concert.
I was excited to be going to see Meatloaf perform as his concert was the first concert I ever attended at Blossom Music Center. The show was disappointing. We sang along with the hits, but his voice has substantially deteriorated. The show was definitely not work the $80+ we paid. It's sad to say that I think it is time for him to stop touring.
As excited as our group of 4 was to see Mr. Loaf, there wasn't much that could make it a bad evening. But then he came on and proceeded to play 6-8 songs that no one knew. Not a great way to get a crowd going, especially with the crowd being older-skewing and mostly sitting through the entire show anyway. By the time he got to 'You Took the Words' it was pretty clear that Meatloaf really didn't have the ability to sing his own songs anymore (the guy is 68, after all). He talked through almost every song and although we initially thought the sound mix was way out of whack, it became pretty obvious that his mic was turned down and everyone else's was turned up for a reason. He tried valiantly to play up the shtick on 'Paradise' but at the end of the day Meatloaf is still a big, old guy. So when he wore the ill-fitting letterman's jacket and was making out with the 20 something year old backup singer (who was really good, by the way), it was just plain creepy. And the crowd: oy vey. We're in our 40's and we felt like we were the youngest there. And we must've been because we pretty much stood the whole time which clearly annoyed those around us. The first 10 rows in front of the stage sat the entire time! Really? It's a concert! And when the lady behind us said 'I'd like to see Meatloaf, can you sit down?' that pretty much tells you what all you need about how 'crazy' this crowd was. When Meatloaf finally got to the songs everyone knew, they were almost unrecognizable due to him not being able to 1) catch his breath to sing and 2) actually sing the songs vs. talk every word. It was actually kind of sad. Bottom line: we were pretty drunk and sang along to a bunch of songs we knew (probably did a better job than Meatloaf) so at the end of the day still had a good time (hence the 2 stars). But if you're going expecting to see him like you remember in the good old days or even a few years ago, think again.
It might have been my hearing disability but it seemed like the band overpowered the singer where it got to a point I could not even identify the popular songs being sung. It also seemed he changed the way the song was sung from its original recording. Again, it could have been my hearing but, if not, I got ripped off especially at the price of the ticket.
I have seen Meat Loaf 4-5 times over the years. This was the last time. His voice is gone ... too bad. Just can't hit the right notes and sounds terrible. The band tried to cover up for it by playing too loudly. Couldn't understand the lyrics. The acoustics at the Rocksino were the worse that I have ever experienced for a concert anywhere ... poor, poor, poor sound quality. The 2 video side large screens were not employed. I expected much better from that establishment. We left after an hour and 10 minutes ... did not hang around for the encore, if there was one. The Rocksino?? Never again ... what a waste of money.
I've seen a lot of Meat loaf shows and this wasn't his best. Band was really loud and overpowered the vocals. Meatloaf's vocals were weak and raspy. Sounded like he still has the flu. I rank Meatloaf as one of my top three performers and several of his shows would be in the Top 10 Best that I have ever seen. This wasn't one of them. The crowd seemed to enjoy it along with the many buckets of beer. At least the crowd wasn't as obnoxious as his last show at the Palace theater. Although we did have a 50 year old heavy set drunk mother in front of us who wanted to dance all show and the four people behind us were so drunk that they keep spilling their drinks on our row.
I love Meatloaf and always will, but it's time for him to retire! The music was so loud, I think purposely to drown out his voice. The young lady that sang with him stole the show, she was awesome! Very dissappointed, it's time for Meatloaf to retire, it's not fair of him to keep selling tickets!
Not good at all for the price we had to pay. I am sorry, but I think he needs to retire. Could not understand more than half the words.....just was not a good show.
The band was amazing and the female vocalist was perfect! Meat Loaf's voice gave out early, but he gutted through it and put on an amazing performance of his hits! I am very glad I attended.
Sound was not good for this concert at the Hard Rock. Also, it would have been great if they had used the screens for this concert.
This concert was fun, all great songs familiar to any Meat Loaf fan. Nice venue, concert was just over 90 minutes long. Meat Loaf is not as young as he used to be, his voice is not quite what you hear on recordings, but he still put a lot of energy into his show. His band was great: vocals, energy & instrumentation was right on! No opening act but one wasn't needed. I would go again if there were new songs released, but this concert did fulfill an item on my bucket list. Rock on Meat Loaf! (Where is Jim Steinman anyway?)
Saw Meat Loaf in concert about 25 years ago and loved him. He once again did not disappoint. Great show!!
100% describes what you get every time this incredible individual steps on stage. This night was no different. Does he sound exactly like he did the first time I heard him in 1978? Of course not. But he still hits the notes...and he can command a stage and an audience like no one I have ever seen. Meat does not perform because he HAS to. He performs because millions of people still want to see him perform. Just look at the venues. You rarely see an empty seat! NO entertainer gives more of himself to his fans than this man does. Whenever he wants to put on a show, I'll be there. The band is as good as any you'll ever hear and Cian Coey is a remarkable performer.
I was so disappointed..... Mumbled most of the time (i think because he couldn't remember the words) Shouted some of the time (the few words he could remember) Tottered around like a drunk old man in the midst of a stroke Ugh.
