Happy Birthday, Fire Ball!!

[MBrevard]

Hello, dear friends! Hope this finds all of you well.

I don't need to tell any of you that this is a very special time in the lives of Meat Loaf fans everywhere. Not only are we continuing to celebrate the release of CHSIB in more and more countries around the world, but we are nearing a very special date the end of this month. I'm referring, of course, to September 27th, Meat's birthday!

Now, I know that we already have the MLUKFC card that FM has been organizing, winging its way around the world and we also have some great online birthday cards to participate in at other websites. But I thought that it might be fun to get something going right here--at the MLUKFC forum--not to take away from any of the other activities, but to ADD to this worldwide joyful celebration, as only we MLUKFC members and visitors can do!! And let's face it, friends. We are a breed unto ourselves. NO ONE does things exactly as we do, do they??!!!

I don't know about you. But I have strong feelings about birthdays, in general. I have always believed that birthdays are a time not only to honor a person, but to reflect upon what it means to have them in your life, what they add to your world, what they have given you.

Each of you may feel differently about this subject. As we have seen here in recent days, we all seem to have different opinions about nearly everything--even what it means to be a fan!! But that's all right. That's what brings richness and depth to the experience of being part of a forum like this one.

However, I think I can say with near certainty that one thing here is true for all of us: In some way and at some time during the past 25+ years, this special man has impacted on each of us. He has moved us in some magical way. He has touched our world, enriched our lives or lifted our spirits with the things he has done. And yes, that experience will be unique for each of us, but it is the common denominator which brings us all here to this forum and continues to bring us back day after day.

So, let's start something here. Beginning today, we're on a CountDown to B-day!! This is our chance here at MLUKFC to share a bit of what Meat means to us. This is our opportunity to "Testify," Meaty brothers and sisters!! Let the birthday spirit move us and see where it takes us!

This is what I've been envisioning for this Countdown thread, but keep in mind, it's only an outline. This thread can become anything YOU wish it to be.

• How about sharing the story of how Meat came into your life? That would be perfect for a birthday celebration.
  
• Perhaps something special or unusual happened to you while one of Meat's songs was playing?
  
• Maybe you just have a favorite song of his that you've connected with in some way and you'd like to tell him about that.
  
• Has something memorable happened during one of his concerts or TV appearances which had some importance and stayed with you ever since then?
  
• Maybe you just have a special birthday wish or greeting you'd like the chance to pass on to him. That would be great, too.

In this thread, there will also be some Meaty surprises coming along the way, so keep your eyes open for them. When one is celebrating the present and the future, it's always good to look back and examine how events in the past helped mold the person into what they have become.

So, you see, there are lots of ways in which all of us can join in the fun, if you wish to, and help Meat celebrate his upcoming natal day. And as I said, these are just a few ideas off the top of my head. I'm sure that you guys will come up with lots of better ones to do!! And I look forward to seeing them! And of course, feel free to comment on what others have posted here. This isn't meant to be a sterile thread, with just singular posts. But perhaps something someone else may write or share will trigger a memory or thought for you. Feel free to add them. Or if you have additional thoughts after your original post, feel free to add those, too. Remember, this birthday thread can be anything you want it to be.

Now, I do have a couple of small favors to ask before we get started:

• [1] In lieu of the sad events here of the past couple of weeks, I would ask that each of us make a concerted effort to keep this one thread in the forum as positive as possible. It is dedicated directly to Meat and his birthday, so please try to fill it with as much love or enthusiasm or joy and happiness--whatever term feels comfortable for you--as you can. Remember that this is meant to be a celebration and let's try to keep things to that purpose, if we can, friends.
  
  [2] This is meant to be a MLUKFC forum event. Please try to keep it based here, if you can. If you have friends or contact with other Meaty fans, feel free to let them know about this MLUKFC project and share the link TO THIS THREAD with them, so that they can come here to enjoy what everyone has added to it and perhaps, decide to participate in it, themselves.
  

I guess that's all that comes to mind. So, let's relax, kick our shoes off, open up the bubbly and get this party rolling, shall we?!!!!

It's CountDown to B-day and only:

EIGHT DAYS TO GO!!

Well, I'm going to kick off this thread by wishing Meat the Happiest and Healthiest of birthdays coming up. With current events, I am especially focusing on the HEALTHY part of that wish!!!!

I know I'll have more things to wish for him as the days go on, but for now, here's a little something to brighten your day and help get our celebration off to a good start.

Hope you have a good time helping Meat celebrate his upcoming birthday by counting down the days. I'm sure, if he has the chance with his current busy schedule to stop by here, Fire Ball will get a kick out of seeing what each of you have added to it!

Take care, everyone!

Love to you all,
MB
xxx

[Tim]

Mmm. okay. Didn't read it all.... typical MBrevard post he Hello Mbrevard... when are you gonna reply my emails????

[The Flying Mouse]

Great idea .
OK,i've told it enough times ,but here it is again.....
How I discoverd Meat Loaf.
It was about 1989.I was about twelve years old.
I was just sitting round on the living room floor bored out of my skull,THEN,an advert came on TV.It was a Woolworths advert promoting their music department.There were a few clips of songs.There was this one guy dressed in a pin stripe buisness suit playing air guitar with his umberella and in the back ground this amazing voice screamed at me LIKE A BAT OUT OF HELL I'LL BE GONE WHEN THE MORNIN' COMES.
I'd listened to some music and had a few songs I liked but i'd never really taken much notice of music.This just blew me away.I just sat there stunned and thought I've got to hear more of that sound.
Next time we were in the city centre I pestered my mum to buy me a meat Loaf tape with Bat Out Of Hell on it.We went to Woolworths and found a compilation with the live at Wembley 1987 version on it.
I listened to the rest of the songs and something just clicked .
The rest as they say is history.

Thanks Meat for all the great music.
Thanks Woolies for the introduction

[dottie]

Hi MBrevard, What a way to open this topic with Meat singing the Rolling Stones Number Gimme Shelter from the Dortmund concert 1982, two for the price of one Absolutely Wonderful, this has to be the greatest live concert I have ever had the pleasure of watching.

Well if we're talking about dreams, in May of this year I was invited with hubby and son, to actually appear with Meat Loaf on the Graham Norton Show. What a days filming that turned out to be Meat as usual took over the show, and the production crew were left with 1 1/2 hours of filming to edit down to 40 minutes approximately. My dream came true when Meat climbed into that gorgeous bed and sang 2 out of 3 aint bad, up close and personal. I wasn't even aware that this was going to happen,
what a dream come true, it made an old girl so very, very happy, so I would say to you out there, never ever give up on your dreams, no matter how long they take to come true. Because its true that Rock and Roll Dreams come Through. For all the newbies an account of this exciting show can be found at General Messages - Rock and Roll Dreams do come Through - start at the very beginning and enjoy.

Another favourite of mine is Rock and Roll Dreams come Through, it holds such dear memories for me, the first time I heard it play I was driving around with my soon to be second husband, looking for a particular cafe under the arches in Clapham. At that moment in time, the words "I know you've been through the fires of hell, and you got the ashes to prove it" rang so true for me, six months earlier my first husband Colin had flown from this world to a better place, after so much suffering in this world. This record sums up the sadness, joy, hope and mixed up emotions I was feeling at the time. A big thank you to Jim Steinman and Meat Loaf for giving me a song that helped me through a very bleak time in my life, and gave me the courage to accept that life can go on.

As a final piece I would like to say that Meats music no matter where, is always with me

[Kev]

NO WAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! That was you????? *kev is all obsessed now* WOW!!!

That has actually made my day. I was actually listing to the interview as i was reading your post Dottie... obsessive...

Anyway, a great topic...

My dad is a HUGE fan and has been to more shows all over the world than he can remember, even keeping ticket stubs to pove it. I think he saw his first show at 18 (1980 i think) and he's been to at least one show a year since then. The really gutting thing is he isn't too well at the moment and his knees are a bit knackered (he's only 41 but a big lad) and is in the process of getting that sorted, which means he will miss the last world tour shows.

Saying that, it took me a good 7 (1989) years of my life to get into Meat Loaf. Before that and before I knew much about music I never really listened to much music at all. It all seemed cheesey and, to be honest, poo. My mum was, and still is big into Elvis and my dad is too, so had to listen to this for a while. Which was alright I suppose. As I've grown older I grown to respect elvis and his music more.

Then around this time I found this Big Red vinal album cover in my dads collection with this huge bike coming up from the grown. Now my dads into all sorts of Rock and stuff but didn't to much about it as I was actually looking for a Black Sabbath one .

I couldn't find it, so I stuck this one on, and listened and listend and erm... well listened. Record starts and I continue listening and then the first verse is over and then, without realising it had finished. Not just the song, the whole album. I'd just sat there for close to an hour just listening.

I turned round to see my dad just sitting and looking with a smile and said, 'come here lad, I'm going to tell you a story...'

And thats how my obsession, if you will, with Mr. Loaf and his music began.

I really don't think I can put into word what it means to me, it almost brings a tear to my eye, well it actually just did .

There is nothing more that means so much to me that isn't family related. I've not grown tired of listening to any of meat's material and love everything from the 60's stage show music up until the last album and EVERYTHING in between.

Theres just always something there whatever my mood. If I'm feeling really crap (i went through 2 years of pretty bad depression after my granddads death which included lots of silly things) and it always seemed that Meat, if a way, would be there and I could just hide away and listen. I know that probably seems a little ~~~~ed up to some people, but thats the way things are.

I've lost train of thought actually after that, sorry... one second :)

Reading the autobiography was a real eye opener. The story from my dad was about what had happened with meat from Bat up until 89 and the money and voice stuff. It was amazing.

And the film, it STILL brings a tear to my eye. The last part, the speach and then building into Anything For Love is just amazing. There were things I didn't like about the film, it was wrong in parts but still amazing. I think I might go watch it in a minute.

Is anyone still reading??? Sorry if it's a bit long :o)

I dunno how many people here know, but I'm a bit of a wrestler type person here in the UK and enter my fights in a long red robe and to Two Out Of Three Ain't Bad...

AND FINALLY (thank goodness I hear you all saying)

It will be a lifetime dream come true when I see Meat live in December. It will mean absoutely everything to me, and I'm sure I'll be a much happier person for it.

I think I'll go now.

[ROSIE]

I had just walked out of the house and got into a cab (I lived in Florida at the time) and had told my first husband (scumbag.......) that I was leaving him and returning to live in the UK, I was pregnant with my first son and 'Bat out of Hell' was playing on his radio and it semmed so apt that I have been a fan ever since.



Rosie
Just down memory lane

[Guppie]

I'll keep it short (right, Tim )
I've been a fan since I heard Paradise by the Dashboard Light on Dutch television. Never stopped listening. There's a Meat-song for every mood I'm in. That's what I love most about it.

[sherrie87]

I'll be adding a worthwhile comment later, but I have to say a huge thank you to MB for posting a clip of ML singing Gimme Shelter, my second favorite Rolling Stones song (after Honkey Tonk Women)! Unfortunatley I'm on the crappy computers at work and I can't play it- I will absolutely be playing that when I get home!

My tone on my cell phone is actually "Gimme Shelter" (no ML tones available from my cell company! ) I'm always surprised at how many of the students that I work with have never heard of that classic song. It always gave me hope when I was single, cause as Mick says "love....it's just a kiss away."

Thanks MB

Sherrie

[Bigmomma]

first heard meat in saudi arabia, my father worked their for
ARAMCO and one of the other workers were playing booh.
my poor dad was mithered sensless till he got me the tape.
the most memorable time listening to him,for me, would have
to be when i had a personal stereo and earphones on while i was
giving birth to my eldest daughter, for some reason i still cannot
listen to a couple of songs without cringing!
But needless to say she has been a fan for as long as she has
liked music.
kezzina

happy birthday meat, thankyou for all the happiness you have given the world ,we love you. pixidust and bigmomma

[Vickip]

I used to say that Paradise was my favorite Meat Loaf song because seeing him and Patti sing it on Storytellers was what got me hooked on him in the first place.

But now it's Couldn't Have Said It Better, because hearing it gives me a needed escape from reality. I guess you can call me a die-hard Meat Loaf fan .. I've been listening to the CD since it first came out in Germany, but I didn't realize how much it affected me until this week.

For those of you who don't know, my parents and I were devastated by a major flood at our family flag store this past Monday. Thankfully no one was hurt ... but the business has been in our family for over 40 years. At this point we don't know what's going to happen .. and can only take it one day at a time.

It's been an emotional roller coaster for me this week ..... and every time I close my eyes and listen to Couldn't Have Said It Better, it takes me back to how amazed I was when I saw Meat and Patti sing it live for the first time at the Mohegan Sun. I enjoyed two amazing concerts (Mohegan Sun and The Borgata) that week, and listening to that song will always help me remember that.

If you ever read this Meat ---- I know there are a lot of people worse off than I am, and my parents and I will get through this somehow. But I just want to thank you from the bottom of my heart ... you will never know how much your music has meant to me and how it's helped me cope with reality right now.

Thank you Meat.
Love
Vicki

[Danny L]

My mum played BAT to me earlier on last year, and now I'm a big fan.

Also, my birthday's on the Friday 26 - THE DAY BEFORE MEAT'S!! What a coincidence! (But lucky old Loafie's got a Saturday birthday!!)

[sherrie87]

Wow, I finally got to watch the "Gimme Shelter" clip when I got home, and it literally gave me goosebumps! Amazing, I never thought I'd see ML crowdsurfing! Is that live performance available commercially or is it out of print?

My ML story: I first got into ML my senior year of high school 1986-1987. My first "real" boyfriend (who sadly turned out to be very,very, deeply, evil, deceitful and dangerous) loved BOOH and he introduced it to me. It was one of the first CD's I bought when I got a CD player. I was especially entralled with "Paradise", it was interesting to be such a fan of the song with the line "...we were doubly blessed/Cos we were barely seventeen/and we were barely dressed" when I was in fact seventeen. (I ain't fessing up to the barely dressed part!) I even got the DJ at my senior prom to play Paradise, I remember being very impressed that he would play it. Luckily, the evil boyfriend went away after two years but my love of ML stayed, and in fact got stronger over the years.

Sherrie

[MBrevard]

Hi again! How wonderful to come to the forum this evening and find all these beautiful stories about how Meat has affected lives and not only helped people through difficult times, but has made the good times even better!!!

Don't worry about the lengths of your posts in this particular thread, friends. Some stories take longer to tell than others. The importance here is to let Meat know how you feel. And so far, what you've done has been very moving!!!

I've always said that Meat has the best fans in the world. I think we're going to see a good example of that in the coming days here.

It's CountDown to B-day and only:

SEVEN DAYS TO GO!!

To continue our celebration of the Life and Times of Meat Loaf, are you ready for surprise #2?

Enjoy and keep on posting, friends!!!!!

Much love to all,
MB
xxx

[shadow1000001]

That was a pretty cool surprise MB

I will gladly tell my story again of how I first heard Meat Loaf.
I was at the tender age of 7 the first time I heard Paradise. (That was in 1977 ) I harassed my Mom constantly until she finally bought it for me. I have be in love with him ever since. I was pregnant with my daughter when Bat II came out. I played it all the time, so much that my husband threatened divorce if he heard it again!! After Tiara was born she was colic and one night, at my wits end, I put on Bat II and cranked it. Amazingly enough, my colicky daughter fell asleep to I'd Do Anything For Love. I was totally amazed. Night after night this worked until the colic was gone. Little did I realize that I created a monster!! She is now a big fan and her favorite songs are When The Rubber Meets The Road and You Took The Words Right Out Of My Mouth. The countdown is now on for CHSIB and she is now alot happier after hearing Meat announce on Canada AM that he will be touring Canada in April or May. That is a show that neither one of us will miss!!


Maria

[sherrie87]

Maria said:

She is now a big fan and her favorite songs are When The Rubber Meets The Road and You Took The Words Right Out Of My Mouth. The countdown is now on for CHSIB and she is now alot happier after hearing Meat announce on Canada AM that he will be touring Canada in April or May. That is a show that neither one of us will miss!!

Maria,
That is very cool that your daughter is growing into quite the Meat fan! My son (7 in December) absolutely loves CHSIB, especially the title track. We listen to it literally every morning as I drive him to school. He knows every word, and he sings it at the top of his lungs, as he makes his little toy dogs dance like crazy. (Though it is a bit uncomfortable to hear a 6 year old sing with gusto "I'll take your body language/and hold it against you tonight." Hey at least he hasn't memorized "Did I Say That" yet- the "take you in the back seat now/and slowly drive you home" line could most assuredly get him into some serious troube at the private Southern Baptist school he goes to! ) Anyway, the point is that my love of Meat's music is even more special because I can share it with my son. I know that 20 years from now when I hear CHSIB I'll picture my first grade son in the back seat just beaming as he sings it- that'll be a great memory, no doubt. (What a sap I am- just typing that sentence makes me tear up!)

Sherrie

[shadow1000001]

I totally understand what you are saying Sherrie. 20 years from now I will remember Tiara singing "You can call her a slut. And you can call her a slave" (Which won't go over too well in her Catholic school either)
Meat's music has made a special bond between us and now Sherrie, you've made me start to cry too.

Maria

[Fallen Angel]

A few years back(when i was 12) my dad STOPPED listening to MEAT LOAF, and went back to iron maiden.
2 years ago I was bored out my skull, and with noone home who knew what i'd get up to??? I went raking, and something caught my eye, the front cover of a cd entitled,you guessed it : Meat Loaf Bat Out Of Hell,a nd at the bottom was Steinmans name who I hadn't heard of. I stuck bat on and when i listened to it i knew meat loaf was special. There is and always will be something MAGNIFICENT about all Meats' song especially bat. :P I have listened to his music everscince. I have sung the songs at talent shows and last but not least:Completed a 30min solo talk and project on him.Also setting up a site just for meat. :P
HAPPY BIRTHDAY MEAT!!!
NEVER STOP ROCKIN!!!

[dottie]

Roy's just reminded me (as if I should forget) on the day we got married, after the ceremony we went back to the house alone, got absolutely plastered listening to Meat Loaf, and Jim Steinman. That must have been a very good omen :)

No wonder Ellis our son was conceived to 2 Out Of 3 Ain't Bad.
Ellis alas at a much younger age loved Meat Loaf and always came to concerts with us, but as he grown older, his tastes have varied slightly.

[MBrevard]

Happy Sunday, friends! Well, all your stories about your kids made me cry, too, and I don't have any--just 5 dogs, who are our babies!! And none of them, sadly, sing along with Meat's music, as I do. Maybe that's just as well....I can imagine the neighbors' reactions.

Gotta funny story to share today, as well as my next birthday wish for Meat. I'm writing this from Reno Nevada where my hubby and I are visiting, taking the weekend off to celebrate his birthday, which is on the 22nd.

So, we're in one particular casino and they have big screen TVs situated throughout the casino floor and they play music videos for part of the time--sports, some of it.

And we're enjoying the music. It's a nice mix of older and newer songs--most of which we're familiar with. When suddenly, we hear something very familiar and we look up at the screen closest to us---and it was MEAT--and Karla, doing Paradise!!! What an absolute treat to sit there with the hundreds of people in this casino and watch this video play!!!

So, I was thinking, wouldn't it be wonderful if, at some point in time, we were here and the CHSIB video would be playing!!!!!!!!! And so, my next wish for Meat, with the release of the album in just a few days, is, of course, much success with it here in the States and Canada!! I hope and pray that it will be everything you want it to be, Meat!! Can't wait to actually walk into a store and see it there on the shelves!!!!!! It's SO exciting!!

Well, it's that time of day...

It's CountDown to B-day and only:

SIX DAYS TO GO!!

Surprise #3 is waiting for you!! Enjoy it!!

Looking forward to reading more of your Meaty stories and wishes for his upcoming birthday!!!

Have a great day, friends!! I'm going back to that casino to watch the video again!! :P

Love to you all,
MB
xxx

[shadow1000001]

Very cool MB. Where did you find that article?
Good luck in the casino and I hope that you win lots of money


Maria

[PanicLord]

Happy Birthday Meat Loaf!

Some beautiful stories on here, an excellent idea MBrevard!

I am 24 now (today! Happy Birthday to me too! ) and have been a fan of Meat Loaf since I was about 8, when my dad got a tape (Hits Out Of Hell) and played it in the car. Every car journey I went on with him since then I have asked him to play the tape, until it finally wore out. When I was about 13 mum and dad got me a ghetto blaster type thing for my room, and a new copy of that tape - I was so excited, I played the tape all the time!

Also around this time, Bat II was released, and I was absolutely astonished by it. I had never heard such brilliant, emotional, dramatic music before. What with IWDAFL being number one for about 10 weeks or so, I got plenty of chances to hear it, and most of my mates got hooked on it too!

Then, for my 18th birthday, mum and dad got me a proper hifi with a new fangled (ish) 5 cd player: needless to say, I bought 5 Meat Loaf cds

Bat 1
Dead Ringer
Midnight...
Bad Attitude
Bat 2

The hifi played songs from all of them at random, and I was in heaven! Everybody else was in hell, due to the bassy rumble and deafening voices!

My favourite song of Meat's has to be I'm Gonna Love Her For Both Of Us, because I can imagine myself in the role of the singing character, rescuing a girl from some sadistic "boyfriend", and swearing I'll do everything he didn't, and nothing he did (if that makes sense :) ).

It brings a tear to my eye even now (if I'm not in public that is ).

Thankyou Meat Loaf (and Jim) for bringing such a beautiful piece of music into my life.

No one else comes close.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, AND KEEP ON ROCKING!

[mariella]

This is a Great topic! Makes me very happy to read all these stories.

Thank you for all the wonderful gifts, MB. WHAT a fantastic way to celebrate Meat's upcoming birthday! By giving and sharing and remembering!
...have I told you How much I love you, lately?
Hope you will enjoy your stay in Reno...loved the story about the video!

I have spend the entire weekend celebrating my daughters 10th birthday.
Am very tired but had 'a ball'. Great to see the kids dance to Testify in my livingroom!

Happy Birthday TRex2003! Hope you will have a fantastic day.

Vicki, so sorry to read what has happened! Hang in there!

Will check this topic daily. LOVE this!

Mariella

[PanicLord]

Thanks Mariella!

[Vickip]

Yes ... thanks Mariella. I really appreciate it.
Vicki

[Eva]

Love you MB!!!
But more love I MEAT!!!! :P
And I hope from my heart he has a nice birthday!
Here is my personal b-celebrate:

Since ten years, to be exact since January 15th 1994, I’m an especially faithful MEAT LOAF fan. On that day he appeared on German TV show and sang “Anything”. As I saw him I only thought: “ WOW, what a man!” Till then “Anything” was the only song I knew of his. I liked it very much at that time. But all that happened after that surpassed all my experiences which I’d had till then. From that moment on, I wanted to know and possess everything, really everything on and about this fantastic guy. So I set out and bought CDs, magazines all that I could find on MEAT LOAF.

Then I came to know from the media that MEAT would be coming to Germany in April 1994. I was all at once electrified and naturally wanted now to see him live! Unfortunately, I could get hold of a ticket for only one concert in Bremen on April 14th. Waiting for the concert seemed sheer endless. So, I bridged the gap with MEAT LOAF music, and still more MEAT LOAF music. It was my first ever rock-concert and I must say it was just wonderful. Perhaps it was due to the artist on the stage that I found the concert so. Now I naturally wanted more of MEAT LOAF! Therefore, I was overjoyed to hear that he was going to give seven extra concerts in Germany. I bought tickets for three of the concerts.

In the months between the concerts I searched everyday in all TV channels, hoping to find something on MEAT LOAF. Since he was at that time staging his big comeback. So, all the channels were full of reports and clips on him. Thus, in one channel there was a competion where one could win a “meet and greet Meat Loaf” in Vancouver, Canada. Oh, yes, that was just what I wanted to win. As a result I sent a total of 60 postcards, each of those lovingly pasted with MEAT pictures. I was wretchedly sad as the results were made known because I hadn’t won.

However, my daughter, who wasn’t quite happy about my addiction to Meat since she didn’t get to hear any other music at my place, asked me a few days later, if I wanted to attend another concert in September in Munich. She said a school-friend had bought two tickets, but now he couldn’t go, and that he would sell the tickets for cheap. Of course, I wanted to attend the concert in Munich! The concert was supposed to be on September 13th 1994. It was going to be a day that I’d never forget! On that day I personally met my MEAT LOAF.

Together with my daughter I took the train in the morning from Muenster to Munich. We arrived there early in the afternoon. We drove immediately to the concert hall, because I wanted to post myself at the gates as early as possible, so as to be one of the first to run in and take a place in the first row. The concert was to begin at 8 pm. We arrived there at the gates at 4 p m. Only three girls stood at the entrance. I was very happy because it really looked that I was going to get a place in the first row. Due to that reason I was in high spirits, but also very excited. Even the non stop rain on that day didn’t perturb me. The mood at the entrance was very good, as later more and more fans turned up. We laughed and joked, and were all very excited.

Suddenly, maybe at 6 pm, we saw a TV crew armed with cameras and mikes turning the corner and making their way right up to us. I thought “wonderful that the TV is here. Then I can see the concert a second time on TV later on!” All at once the crew was standing before us and one of the reporters asked me if I wanted to participate in a TV report: “fan goes to MEAT LOAF-concert” and go with them into the hall. “No”, I said, “I don’t want to give up my position here, because I want a place in the first row!” The reporter laughed and said, if I’d go with them, I’d be one of the first fan in the hall. So, my daughter and me, we went with them. Together with the TV team we walked through the big, till then deserted hall, and through endless floors. All the while they interviewed me non stop: since when was I a fan, why was I such an ardent fan, what all had I collected on Meat Loaf, whether I’d posters of him pinned to the walls, and so on so forth. I was quite unfriendly with them because time was running and the moment was nearing when the hall doors would open. I was worrying, would I then get a place in the first row, before it was filled by the others, who were till now standing outside? Suddenly the reporter opened a door in the cellar of the building and shoved us into a small room, where I was supposed to sit on a couch and wait. Before I could get over this surprise the reporter disclosed a secret. He said that it wasn’t just coincidence that he’d approached me. He said, he was from a surprise show which ran regularly on TV. They’d heard from my daughter that I wanted to meet Meat Loaf personally and that he, Meat Loaf, would come in that room in a few minutes!

Oh! I can tell you folks, in that moment I thought the floor would open up and I’d disappear therein. My blood rushed to my heart and I began to sweat badly. Fortunately, I didn’t even have the time to faint because right at that moment the door opened and in walked Meat Loaf. Oh! my God, it was true, it was really true. The great and wonderful Meat Loaf in person stepped in, came up to me, shook my hand, and asked me, if everything were okay. Due to my excitement I forgot all my broken, school English. I could only stammer my name. Then he pulled out the regular CD “Midnight”, the only one which I didn’t possess till then, autographed it and gave it to me. WOW, it was really happening, I was sitting, thigh to thigh, with my dream man.

He joked, said that he actually had little time, since the concert was going to begin on the stage upstairs. He grumbled about the CD which he presented me. At that time of course, I didn’t know much about him like I do today. So, I was surprised that he didn’t like the CD. We sat there about 15 l o n g minutes together on the couch. I can tell you, it was the most beautiful 15 minutes of my life, apart from some other few private moments. While he continued talking I adored him sideways. Once I got up all my courage together and stroked his lovely long mane. He grinned very amused and gave me a kiss on the cheek. I thought I was going to pass out because of the heavenly bliss. And, just imagine, I was also allowed to kiss him. As a reward the sex God kissed me on the other cheek. But, as is well known, even the best moments pass quickly. So, Meat also had to go. He stood up, gave me a hand, wished me all the best, lots of fun and turned away. I saw his back and could only stammer back: “God bless you”. I just about ran after him. But, I floated 35 cm above the earth and wasn’t able to walk for a while.

Afterwards I attended the great concert together with my daughter and the TV crew. All the time I had the feeling that the maestro was singing only for me. Thus, even that highlight and together with it a great and exciting day came to an end.

Later on, I learned from my daughter that she hadn’t written to the TV, but that the station had approached her. The channel was impressed by the number of postcards sent in by me. And, because I hadn’t won the competition they wanted to make it possible for me in a different way to meet my idol Meat Loaf personally.

In the meantime I’ve attended altogether approximately 65 concerts of Meat Loaf in Germany, Netherlands, England and the USA, and I have met him a further ten times. But that first meeting would forever remain in my heart and in my memory. Coming October and November I’ll be visiting eleven more concerts in Germany and the UK.

I know no other person who possesses such a magical attraction and charisma like Meat Loaf. As an artist he is absolutely bombastic and unique and as a human being I found him to be very, very friendly, polite, funny and loving.

No matter what life has in store for me, I’ll remain a Meat Loaf fan forever, because I love him and I wish him all the very best for his birthday and for the rest of his life!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MEAT!
GOD BLESS YOU FOREVER!

Keep Rockin’

Eva