Grammy-winning singer Meat Loaf collapsed onstage recently during a concert in London. He is being treated for exhaustion brought on by a virus.
Early years: Meat Loaf was born Marvin Lee Aday on Sept. 27, 1951, in Dallas. Because he was a large child, weighing nearly 240 punds in seventh grade, his father gave him his tasty moniker. He left home in 1967 after the death of his mother and recurring problems with his alcoholic father. In Los Angeles, he began his first band, Popcorn Blizzard.
Career: In 1969 Meat Loaf won a part in the musical "Hair." During the show's run he met musician Stoney and in 1971 they released a self-titled album to mild success. In 1977 he released "Bat out of Hell," which spawned several hits, including "Paradise by the Dashboard Light." Almost completely ignored for the first six months of its release, the album later gained popularity, selling nearly 30 million copies. Meat Loaf's heavy drinking and partying caused a three-year gap in which he declared himself bankrupt. He released the album "Dead Ringer" in 1982, "Bad Attitude" in 1984, "Midnight at the Lost and Found" in 1983 and "Blind Before I Stop" in 1986.
Meat Loaf made a comeback in 1993 with "Bat out of Hell II: Back Into Hell." In 1995 he released the commercial and critical flop "Welcome to the Neighborhood." He has appeared in several recent films, including "Spice World" in 1997 and "Fight Club" in 1999. He is touring for his latest album, "Couldn't Have Said it Better."
Family: Meat Loaf married Leslie Edmonds in 1975. They divorced in 2001. Together they have two daughters, Pearl and Amanda.
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In his words: "People call me a one-hit wonder. They don't know anything about my life, so screw them."
Web link: www.meatloaf-oifc.com
Compiled by Heather Leinen
Sources: Vh1.com, Yahoo!.com, theiceberg.com
