Meat Loaf is proving to be bigger in death than in life. The late-singer’s streams are up an astounding 2,583 percent since his January 20th death. The legendary singer died this past January 20th, at the age of 74 with no cause of death announced. Billboard reported: “From January 21st, the day the rocker’s death was announced, through January 23rd, on-demand audio and video streams of Meat Loaf’s music soared to 15.9 million, according to initial reports to MRC Data. That’s up from 593,000 streams over January 18th to 20th.”
Leading the way is (1993’s) ‘I’d Do Anything For Love (But I Won’t Do That),’ which accrued 3.2 million streams (from) January 21st to 23rd, a 1,645 percent rise from 186,000 (spanning) January 18th through 20th.
Just below that was 1977’s “Paradise By The Dashboard Light,” which drew 3.1 million streams — up 1,976 percent from 147,000 in the days prior. ‘Two Out Of Three Ain’t Bad’ snagged 1.9 million plays — up 1,856 percent, with the Bat Out Of Hell title track reaching 1.6 million steams — up 4,399 from before his death was announced.
FAST FACTS
- Although born Marvin Lee Aday in Dallas, Texas, Meat Loaf after 1984, went under the “given” name of Michael Lee Aday.
- He moved to Los Angeles in 1967, and went on to appear in the Los Angeles production of Hair. He and female Hair co-star Shaun “Stoney” Murphy recorded for Motown as part of the duo Stoney & Meat Loaf.
- Meat Loaf’s final tours featured his first live performances of “Hot Patootie” — his signature song as “Eddie” from the 1975 movie musical The Rocky Horror Picture Show.
- Bat Out of Hell has sold more over 43 million copies since its 1977 release and still sells around 200,000 copies annually.
- 1993’s Bat Out Of Hell II: Back Into Hell sold over 15 million copies, with the album’s single “I’d Do Anything For Love (But I Won’t Do That)” topping the charts in 28 countries — including five weeks on top of the Billboard Hot 100. The track earned Meat Loaf the Grammy Award for Best Rock Vocal Performance, Solo.
CHECK IT OUT: Meat Loaf in 1999 performing “Two Out Of Three Ain’t Bad” live on VH1’s Storytellers: