Journal Live Article

24K · 23 Jun 2008, 12:02

INTERVIEWING Meat Loaf is an intimidating prospect. The scary image of him as an overweight force of nature with long, sweat-drenched hair, singing one of his overblown ballads, looms large.

He’s also got a reputation for being a motormouth, so the fear of not being able to get a question in is also hanging over me.

But then I’m introduced to the man himself. “Call me Meat,” he says in a friendly tone.

Today, Meat, real name Michael Lee Aday (although he changed his name from Michael to Marvin in 2001) is dressed smartly in jeans, shirt and leather jacket, his cropped hair slightly greying. There isn’t a bead of sweat in sight and he’s also a lot slimmer than you might expect.

He does look tired, though. He says his flight from America was tough and he’s also undertaking a gruelling schedule of promotion and interviews.

“I’ve never done this many interviews and TV appearances before. It’s non-stop.”

He is also coming to Newcastle on Wednesday to play goalie at St James’s Park in support of two North East cancer charities – some compensation for leaving his audience at Metro Radio Arena in the lurch last autumn.

Back then he walked off stage, saying that was it as far as concert performances were concerned.

You might well ask why the city isn’t included in the tour which starts in Plymouth on Friday but at least he is returning to do his bit for Maggie’s Cancer Care Centre, planned for the Freeman Hospital, and the Toma Fund, set up to raise money for a Tyneside teenage cancer unit.

Recalling that November night, he says: “I was totally freaked out and didn’t know what was wrong with me.

“I wasn’t sick, I didn’t have flu, no sinus infection or anything like that. I thought that was it, so I thought I’d go out on stage. I said ‘I quit’ and walked off.

“It turned out I had a cyst on my vocal cord. Thankfully it burst as I didn’t want to have the surgery the doctors were planning.

“Now I take care of my voice by not talking from the time I go off the stage one night to the time just before I go on again the next day.”

In the late 1960s, after the death of his mother, Meat Loaf moved to California where he fronted various bands, including Meat Loaf Soul, and performed in stage musicals such as Hair, More Than You Deserve and The Rocky Horror Show.

It was during auditions for More Than You Deserve that Meat met future collaborator and friend Jim Steinman.

They began writing what would become Bat Out Of Hell, but didn’t start taking it seriously until around 1974 when Meat quit theatre and concentrated on music.

The album, released in 1977, made an international star of Meat Loaf and went on to sell an estimated 37 million copies around the world.

“You know, that album connected pretty much everywhere,” says Meat, proudly. “Although it did nothing in Japan. I think we sold about 12 of the 37 million copies over there! You’d think I’d have done well there because I was the size of a sumo wrestler back then.”

He continues: “I think my music connects with people because it’s about life. Some reviewers say my music is about overblown lyrics and theatrics, but I heartily disagree. I don’t think it’s any more overblown or outlandish than, say, Bruce Springsteen’s.

“If you think of Springsteen in black and white, then think of me in colour.”

He says the millions of people who buy his records or concert tickets do so because they need a bit of escapism.

“People get enough politics and news in their lives. They don’t want to think about it when they go out to a concert, they want to be entertained.

“The same goes for movies. Why do you think Star Wars or Lord Of The Rings are the biggest films of all time? The world wants to see them because they are about escape, and it’s the same for the audience when they come to my show.”

Seeing Meat Loaf on stage, you could easily believe he’s one of the most confident people going, but he says he’s extremely shy.

“I even get nervous going on an elevator in a big group of people. I just love being on stage in front of people, it’s like being a court jester.”

Such a statement is at odds with what happened in Newcastle and no doubt some fans aren’t smiling.

But don’t expect to hear another declaration of retirement from Meat Loaf any time soon.

“I’m not going to retire,” he says. “To quote Jon Bon Jovi, I’ll sleep when I’m dead.”

Meat Loaf’s UK tour begins on Friday in Plymouth.

“If you think of Springsteen in black and white, then think of me in colour.

24K · 23 Jun 2008, 12:03

http://www.journallive.co.uk/culture...1634-21135035/

Thats the link

djfierce · 23 Jun 2008, 12:39

isnt this the same as one of the other ones you posted chelle?? either the plymouth one or the liverpool one

mayeb my memory is bad lol bad case of deja vu otherwise lol

*AndyK* · 23 Jun 2008, 12:43

lol Anjji, glad I'm not the only one who thought they'd read that before ... think it's four times I've read it now including .net

~Helen~ · 23 Jun 2008, 13:13

I think that although they are very similar (and certainly start the same!), there are a few differences in the main body of the article. Either that or I wasn't paying close enough attention the first time

Same interview, different articles based on that same interview I think

Anyway, I've done my homework, so the original post was here

http://www.mlukfc.com/forums/showthread.php?t=11859

24K · 23 Jun 2008, 17:20

There are some slight differences.

djfierce · 23 Jun 2008, 19:30

I'll let you off then

24K · 23 Jun 2008, 21:52

LOL...

23 Jun 2008, 12:02	#1
24K Mega Loafer Join Date: 20.10.2003 Location: WAY UP NORTH Posts: 1,923	Journal Live Article INTERVIEWING Meat Loaf is an intimidating prospect. The scary image of him as an overweight force of nature with long, sweat-drenched hair, singing one of his overblown ballads, looms large. He’s also got a reputation for being a motormouth, so the fear of not being able to get a question in is also hanging over me. But then I’m introduced to the man himself. “Call me Meat,” he says in a friendly tone. Today, Meat, real name Michael Lee Aday (although he changed his name from Michael to Marvin in 2001) is dressed smartly in jeans, shirt and leather jacket, his cropped hair slightly greying. There isn’t a bead of sweat in sight and he’s also a lot slimmer than you might expect. He does look tired, though. He says his flight from America was tough and he’s also undertaking a gruelling schedule of promotion and interviews. “I’ve never done this many interviews and TV appearances before. It’s non-stop.” He is also coming to Newcastle on Wednesday to play goalie at St James’s Park in support of two North East cancer charities – some compensation for leaving his audience at Metro Radio Arena in the lurch last autumn. Back then he walked off stage, saying that was it as far as concert performances were concerned. You might well ask why the city isn’t included in the tour which starts in Plymouth on Friday but at least he is returning to do his bit for Maggie’s Cancer Care Centre, planned for the Freeman Hospital, and the Toma Fund, set up to raise money for a Tyneside teenage cancer unit. Recalling that November night, he says: “I was totally freaked out and didn’t know what was wrong with me. “I wasn’t sick, I didn’t have flu, no sinus infection or anything like that. I thought that was it, so I thought I’d go out on stage. I said ‘I quit’ and walked off. “It turned out I had a cyst on my vocal cord. Thankfully it burst as I didn’t want to have the surgery the doctors were planning. “Now I take care of my voice by not talking from the time I go off the stage one night to the time just before I go on again the next day.” In the late 1960s, after the death of his mother, Meat Loaf moved to California where he fronted various bands, including Meat Loaf Soul, and performed in stage musicals such as Hair, More Than You Deserve and The Rocky Horror Show. It was during auditions for More Than You Deserve that Meat met future collaborator and friend Jim Steinman. They began writing what would become Bat Out Of Hell, but didn’t start taking it seriously until around 1974 when Meat quit theatre and concentrated on music. The album, released in 1977, made an international star of Meat Loaf and went on to sell an estimated 37 million copies around the world. “You know, that album connected pretty much everywhere,” says Meat, proudly. “Although it did nothing in Japan. I think we sold about 12 of the 37 million copies over there! You’d think I’d have done well there because I was the size of a sumo wrestler back then.” He continues: “I think my music connects with people because it’s about life. Some reviewers say my music is about overblown lyrics and theatrics, but I heartily disagree. I don’t think it’s any more overblown or outlandish than, say, Bruce Springsteen’s. “If you think of Springsteen in black and white, then think of me in colour.” He says the millions of people who buy his records or concert tickets do so because they need a bit of escapism. “People get enough politics and news in their lives. They don’t want to think about it when they go out to a concert, they want to be entertained. “The same goes for movies. Why do you think Star Wars or Lord Of The Rings are the biggest films of all time? The world wants to see them because they are about escape, and it’s the same for the audience when they come to my show.” Seeing Meat Loaf on stage, you could easily believe he’s one of the most confident people going, but he says he’s extremely shy. “I even get nervous going on an elevator in a big group of people. I just love being on stage in front of people, it’s like being a court jester.” Such a statement is at odds with what happened in Newcastle and no doubt some fans aren’t smiling. But don’t expect to hear another declaration of retirement from Meat Loaf any time soon. “I’m not going to retire,” he says. “To quote Jon Bon Jovi, I’ll sleep when I’m dead.” Meat Loaf’s UK tour begins on Friday in Plymouth. “If you think of Springsteen in black and white, then think of me in colour.

23 Jun 2008, 12:03	#2
24K Mega Loafer Join Date: 20.10.2003 Location: WAY UP NORTH Posts: 1,923	http://www.journallive.co.uk/culture...1634-21135035/ Thats the link

23 Jun 2008, 12:39	#3
djfierce Mega Loafer Join Date: 15.06.2005 Location: Posts: 3,596	isnt this the same as one of the other ones you posted chelle?? either the plymouth one or the liverpool one mayeb my memory is bad lol bad case of deja vu otherwise lol

23 Jun 2008, 12:43	#4
AndyK Relentless Join Date: 21.11.2003 Location: Over the top..... seeing what's on the other side Posts: 18,694	lol Anjji, glad I'm not the only one who thought they'd read that before ... think it's four times I've read it now including .net

23 Jun 2008, 13:13	#5
~Helen~ Mega Loafer Join Date: 01.11.2007 Location: Manchester Posts: 1,958	I think that although they are very similar (and certainly start the same!), there are a few differences in the main body of the article. Either that or I wasn't paying close enough attention the first time Same interview, different articles based on that same interview I think Anyway, I've done my homework, so the original post was here http://www.mlukfc.com/forums/showthread.php?t=11859

23 Jun 2008, 17:20	#6
24K Mega Loafer Join Date: 20.10.2003 Location: WAY UP NORTH Posts: 1,923	There are some slight differences.

23 Jun 2008, 19:30	#7
djfierce Mega Loafer Join Date: 15.06.2005 Location: Posts: 3,596	I'll let you off then

23 Jun 2008, 21:52	#8
24K Mega Loafer Join Date: 20.10.2003 Location: WAY UP NORTH Posts: 1,923	LOL...