One of Britain’s biggest Meat Loaf tribute acts has vowed ‘the music will live on’ as the band continues a national tour after the star’s death.
The singer, real name Michael Lee Aday, died on Thursday night aged 74.
MeatLoud, billed as the UK’s ‘premier’ homage band, has just kicked off its 2022 tour and is due to play in Northampton on Tuesday night.
Lead vocalist Andy Plimmer told Metro.co.uk: ‘It’s a very sad day, but it’s also a day to celebrate the music.
‘It was, still is, and will be enjoyed for many years to come.
‘You have people my age who had Bat Out of Hell as the soundtrack to their teenage years, then there are people who would be my parents’ age, in their 70s and 80s, who would listen to the stuff their teenage kids were listening to, so they like it.
‘And then there are a lot of young people who are really into it. The music still appeals across the board to a lot of people.’
Meat Loaf’s iconic Bat Out of Hell trilogy was one of the best-selling albums in history and earned him a Grammy Award.
The superfan, who set up the tribute act in 2015, now plans to honour his hero with a poignant rendition of Heaven Can Wait at upcoming shows.
‘It will be strange and I think I’ll feed off the audience to be honest, as there will be a lot of emotion on the night,’ he said.
‘A lot of the songs are packed with emotion anyway, and I think although there will be sadness there it will only enhance the whole experience.’
The ballad Heaven Can Wait will now take ‘pride of place’ on the band’s 15-date tour, which culminates at the Rochdale Empire on December 16.
‘We’ll do what we’ve always done, which is to honour the music,’ Andy said.
‘He may be gone but the music won’t die, it will continue.
‘Obviously there will be a lot more emotion in the shows that we do but the music speaks for itself. Ironically, Heaven Can Wait from the Bat Out of Hell album was his favourite song.
‘It’s very appropriate, it’s such a simple song and it’s always in our set list.
‘It’s a simple, beautiful song and it will take pride of place.’
Andy, 57, from Staffordshire, was among thousands of fans paying tribute to the all-round showman today.
‘It wasn’t just his huge voice,’ he said.
‘Bat Out of Hell was one of the greatest albums ever composed, I say composed because it was a combination of rock, opera and drama when you look at the performances in the 70s and 80s.
‘People also loved him because he was a massive character and a decent actor. He had his ups and downs but he will be remembered with affection.’
A statement posted on Facebook announcing the news read: ‘Our hearts are broken to announce that the incomparable Meat Loaf passed away tonight with his wife Deborah by his side.
‘Daughters Pearl and Amanda and close friends have been with him throughout the last 24 hours.
‘His amazing career spanned 6 decades that saw him sell over 100 Million albums worldwide and star in over 65 movies, including Fight Club, Focus, Rocky Horror Picture Show and Wayne’s World. Bat Out of Hell remains one of the top 10 selling albums of all time.
‘We know how much he meant to so many of you and we truly appreciate all of the love and support as we move through this time of grief in losing such an inspiring artist and beautiful man.
‘We thank you for your understanding of our need for privacy at this time. From his heart to your souls…don’t ever stop rocking!’
No cause of death has been given but sources told TMZ that the star cancelled a business dinner earlier this week after falling ill with Covid. It’s claimed his condition became ‘critical’.
Tributes have poured in from stars including Boy George and Andrew Lloyd Webber, with fans remembering the superstar’s best moments.
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