You’ve got to be thankful when you’re able to connect with one of the most memorable entertainers of your generation while he’s in the middle of his fall tour. So I was thrilled to catch up with musician, singer/songwriter, record producer, actor and Bat Out Of Hell legend Meat Loaf (born Marvin Lee Aday) on my podcast Whine At 9. In a career that has spanned over four decades and included millions in record sales, gold and platinum albums, a Grammy for best rock vocal performance, and a successful film and theater career, Meat Loaf’s professional journey is a fascinating multidimensional story of hard work and success.
The actor who captured our attention in The Rocky Horror Picture Show and surprised us with his amazing range in Shakespearean performances, will be forever linked to his best selling album Bat Out of Hell. While he and songwriter Jim Steinman recognized the power of the album, the business suits didn’t. “That album almost killed me….Yes, I knew what we had,” said Meat Loaf who had been playing in New York for 4 to 5 years and witnessing the audience reactions. “I knew that audiences responded to that music, where record companies—It was way past anything that they could understand.”
Creating momentum for the album was a commitment with practically 24/7 responsibilities. Says the singer, “I would get up at 6, 7, 8 in the morning. Go on morning radio. I would do interviews all day. I’d do a show. After the show, I’d do late night radio. For months, I was getting 4 or 5 hours of sleep.”
Known for iconic songs including “Paradise By The Dashboard Light,” “You Took The Words Right Out of My Mouth,” “I’d Do Anything for Love (But I Won’t Do That)” and “Two Out of Three Ain’t Bad,” Meat Loaf has a proven ability to connect with his audiences whether it be through music or acting. His genuine love for performing and respect for fans surely contributes to the positive connections. And it isn’t the fame that drives the performer. “I did not go into this business to be a star. I went into this business because that’s what I love. And so, when I finally figured out that that’s what I was going to do, I mean I jumped into the deep end head on—going to acting classes, you know, doing shows—I mean I did more shows in New York—I was working every day. Sometimes in New York I’d be rehearsing a show and doing a show at night. So I went full into the deep end.”
For Meat Loaf, whose new album will soon be released, it isn’t about the size of the concert hall, it’s all about the performance. “We still play big ones and little ones. And it doesn’t make any difference. What I tell everybody is ‘When you go on stage with me, you have to be able to do the same show in front of 400,000 people or four trees.’” Amazed by his multigenerational fan base, he is forever grateful for the fans that have allowed him to build a career doing what he loves. “Without them, what have you got? You haven’t got anything…I can’t be a plumber or an electrician. I scored the lowest score ever in [the] history of my high school on mechanical aptitude,” chuckles the artist. “If I hadn’t been doing this, my plans were to be a history teacher and a football coach.”
Listen to Nancy’s interview with Meat Loaf on iTunes and WhineAt9.com.
Nancy Berk, Ph.D. is a clinical psychologist, author, comic and entertainment analyst. The host of the showbiz podcast Whine At 9, Nancy digs a little deeper as she chats with fascinating celebrities and industry insiders. Her book College Bound and Gagged: How to Help Your Kid Get into a Great College Without Losing Your Savings, Your Relationship, or Your Mind can be seen in the feature film Admission starring Tina Fey and Paul Rudd.
View the original at Parade or follow us on Twitter, Facebook or Google+