Steinman To Write For Rhydian

**Diane** · 20 Jan 2008, 12:57

Meatloaf writer signs up for Rhydian album

Jan 20 2008 by Our Correspondent, Wales On Sunday

X-FACTOR star Rhydian Roberts’ career is taking off like Bat Out Of Hell – thanks to Meatloaf’s songwriter Jim Steinman.

The man who penned some of the super-sized singer’s most popular songs is now helping Rhydian write songs for his debut album, due out in October.

“I’m thrilled about that,” said Rhyd.

“It seems Jim had seen a clip of me singing Meatloaf’s I Would Do Anything For Love (But I Won’t Do That) on one of the X Factor shows, a song he himself had written.

“I’m a big Meatloaf fan too, we’ve both got that kind of quasi-opera thing going on – although he’s a tenor and I’m a baritone.”

It’s another coup for Rhydian, following on the heels of signing a £1m album deal with Simon Cowell’s label Sony BMG last month.

But it’s not been all plain sailing for Rhydian, who was pipped to the top prize by popular 19-year-old Scottish shop assistant Leon Jackson last December.
Speaking on his return from a holiday in Mexico, he told Wales on Sunday that he spent the first seven days of his relaxing break laid up with a bout of pneumonia.

“Well, I say ‘pneumonia’, but my uncle Nigel reckons it was more like a really bad case of man flu,” said the 24-year-old star from Sennybridge, who was taking a fortnight break abroad with his parents and a small army of relatives.
“Uncle Nige had it too, not as bad as me, of course.We both started feeling ill after getting off the plane.

“But whatever it was, it was a shocker and I was out of action for the first seven days, that’s why I look so pale in the pics you’ve seen of me,” Rhydian added.

“I had constant headaches, water on the chest and couldn’t walk about hardly at all.”

The two weeks away, though, have helped him to recover from the initial disappointment of finishing in second place – not to mention the cries of “‘Fix!” that surrounded the X Factor live final as 2,500 furious fans claimed they couldn’t vote for their favourite because phone lines were jammed.

“I’m leaving all that behind me, there’s no sense in dwelling on ‘what ifs’,” said the singer, en route to perform two sold-out shows in Southampton.
“Besides, how could I? I’ve got so much going on. I feel blessed.

“Yes, I was disappointed not to have won but I take my hat off to Leon. He has done well.

“But Simon (Cowell) and Sony have faith in me and are confident I won’t disappear now the show is over. I am trusting them.”

And to make sure he stays in the spotlight, Rhydian said a change of image could be on the cards.

“I may dye my hair fire-engine red next,” he said. “Variety is the spice of life and I like to surprise people.”

nathan.bevan@mediawales.co.uk

Found here

meatloaf-unofficial · 20 Jan 2008, 13:33

well what can we say? Once the album is done it should be really interesting if Jim is on board

djfierce · 20 Jan 2008, 14:31

It'll also be interesting to see how many think he's great all of a sudden

meatloaf-unofficial · 20 Jan 2008, 14:35

It will be worth listening to if Jim is helping writing the songs... don't ya think?

Could he be the next Meat Loaf???????................... Joke! Not one can replace a true rock opera artist!

djfierce · 20 Jan 2008, 14:44

well considering over on the x factor thread alot of folk were saying he couldnt sing then no it doesnt matter who writes for him.

I did say over there i thought he had a good voice, my point above is simply that it will be interesting to see how many people change their mind JUST because Steinman is invloved.

It's a great opportunity for Rhydian and i'm sure he will make the most of it, however i would've listened to his debut single with interest regardless of who's involved.

It will also be intersting to see what direction Steinman takes him, i just hope it isnt gonna be a mini meat project

However good luck to the lad

Ma.Ra · 20 Jan 2008, 15:33

As far as I have seen on youtube, he has definitely not the stage performance of Meat. For me, his AFL from x-factor is not good (politely said).

If one of the "should have been on bat3"songs lands on his CD....
It is just blasphemy.

djfierce · 20 Jan 2008, 15:47

yes AFL was a disaster but he can sing and did seem to grow alot thru the series so we will see what happens

**The Flying Mouse** · 20 Jan 2008, 19:10

NOT an X Factor fan in any shape or form, so only seen snippets of the contest when i've walked into a room and it's been on a telly.

I noticed Rhydian in the last few weeks of the competition, and thought he had a pretty good voice (although being a stuborn ~~~~~~, it is engrained in my phycie to hate everything to do with X Factor

)

I didn't see the Anything Fopr Love performance on TV so i've just looked for it on youtube.
Can't say I enjoyed that performance very much, was way too pop IMHO.
I've also watched his performance of Go West, and although not out and out offensive, I wasn't overlly impressed.
With all that said, I REALLY enjoyed his versions of Oh Holy Night and Phantom Of The Opera

If Jimmy gives him some great songs, and he sings it in a style true to the material, I think the result could be pretty good.

I'm hardly counting the days so I can start camping outside HMV a week before the release day though

djfierce · 20 Jan 2008, 19:34

Phantom of the opera was certainly the most outstanding performance of his as far as i'm concerned

Heg19 · 20 Jan 2008, 19:55

I'm sure Rhydian will do very well can't say i like him, he has a fantastic voice but comes across as very wooden and i thought his version of anything for love was incredibly wooden he had no emotion! but good luck to the fella he was a better singer than the one who won!

AndrewG · 20 Jan 2008, 20:02

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ma.Ra

If one of the "should have been on bat3"songs lands on his CD....
It is just blasphemy.

Letting Desmond Child produce Bat 3 and making a fuss/wasting time about stupid titles such as "If God Could talk" instead of "If God Would Talk" is blasphemy too imo!

Jim can do all he wants with the songs, they belong to him as long as no-one else has recorded them before.

I think we must not forget everyone was against Steinman and Meat Loaf when they started out. It's usually what happens and I read the same attitude towards new singers here in many posts too.

**The Flying Mouse** · 20 Jan 2008, 20:40

Sapphire Lady · 20 Jan 2008, 23:26

Well I say good luck to Rhydian. If it's true, Jim has obviously recognised a great talent in him.

firefly · 20 Jan 2008, 23:52

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sapphire Lady

Well I say good luck to Rhydian. If it's true, Jim has obviously recognised a great talent in him.

Well said.... My thought's exaclty!!!

Pudding · 21 Jan 2008, 04:56

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sapphire Lady

Well I say good luck to Rhydian. If it's true, Jim has obviously recognised a great talent in him.

Agree totally.

I don't understand why all of a sudden people are trying to compare Rhydian to Meat Loaf...WTF? Meat Loaf's had his crack at the big time and was very successful, if Jim decides he wants to work with a younger talent then so be it.

It seems this Rhydian has signed a 1million pound album deal with Sony/BMG, which it seems Jim Steinman might be involved with. Also Andrew Lloyd Webber has approached him to play the Phantom in Phantom Of The Opera 2, which hardly makes him a talentless hack.

As for Ma.Ra's comments, well that's just nonsense talk. Meat Loaf & Desmond Child chose exactly what songs they wanted on Bat3. Had they wanted more Jim Steinman songs on the album then they could have quite easily covered or pilfered a few more, they chose not to. So I fail to see how blasphemy was committed.

I don't think his 2 minute rendition of Anything For love was all that bad all things considered. I wish Rhydian every success.

Pud

**RadioMaster** · 21 Jan 2008, 11:18

I have to say i havent listened to any performance of this guy so far, simply because I wasnt interested in another one of those numerous casting shows.
However, the fact that there's actually a record deal signed with Jim involved implies that this project could be going somewhere, unlike batman, dream engine, etc, etc, etc

Im just happy that we (might) get a new Steinman album

djfierce · 21 Jan 2008, 11:53

i dont actually see anyone comparing rhydian to meat, that's impossible, we havent seen what rhydian and jim have come up with yet.
My one and only point is that i hope jim takes him in a completely different direction and something unique to rhydian, i personally couldnt give a ~~~~ who sings what, but i ould like to see something that would be new.

The nature of rhydians voice would make it easy for him to sing meat/steinman songs so i hope for something different, not neccessariy because i think Meat's versions are sacred and can't b touched but because i think Rhydian deserves a bit more than that.

I too wish him well, he should've won the x factor, imo the pretty young lad with no vocals won instead

*AndyK* · 21 Jan 2008, 12:15

Yeah in this case the best man didn't win, but then Rhydian doesn't have the "teen" appeal does he, hopefully with his talent he'll have more longevity in the business than a one hit wonder.

If Rhydian and Jim do work together, then that's not a bad thing at all, with any luck we'll get some new Steinman material to get our teeth (ears) into.

mszee · 21 Jan 2008, 15:20

Well, I don't know who Rhydian is - we don't get that show here...but WHICH uncle Nigel was he refering to???

What a coincidence...if it is a coincidence...

Benny · 21 Jan 2008, 15:30

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sapphire Lady

Well I say good luck to Rhydian. If it's true, Jim has obviously recognised a great talent in him.

Agree, he is a good entertainer. Good luck Rhydian

**RadioMaster** · 21 Jan 2008, 17:40

just looked up his performance of afl on youtube, and i have to say hes definitely got something. Hes got a bit of an opera touch, which i always like about singers (-> Steve Barton, etc) I'm sure if Jim finds material that suits him and makes him understand the songs, then the result wont to too bad.

dottie · 21 Jan 2008, 19:06

Also in The Sun On Line - great article

http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage...icle709853.ece

Ma.Ra · 21 Jan 2008, 19:14

LOL, but Rob Evan and the others of TDE is soo much better than this guy....

I really don't understand Steinman. If he would be interested in the art, he would have continued with TDE, but no, he has to work with a casting guy....
Seems Steinman is primarly interested in money.

Even with a Steinsong he failed...

**RadioMaster** · 21 Jan 2008, 20:51

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ma.Ra

LOL, but Rob Evan and the others of TDE is soo much better than this guy....

I really don't understand Steinman. If he would be interested in the art, he would have continued with TDE, but no, he has to work with a casting guy....
Seems Steinman is primarly interested in money.

Even with a Steinsong he failed...

funny....was thinking about this today: who is better suited for a steinman album, rob evan or rhydian?
Judging from this one clip ive heard i have to say i prefer his voice to rob evan's. hes got something unique, interesting, while rob evan sounds like every second broadway artist. that said ive never been a huge fan of rob evan doing steinman, so i might be a little biased on this one.

mszee · 21 Jan 2008, 22:12

Quote:

Originally Posted by RadioMaster

funny....was thinking about this today: who is better suited for a steinman album, rob evan or rhydian?
Judging from this one clip ive heard i have to say i prefer his voice to rob evan's. hes got something unique, interesting, while rob evan sounds like every second broadway artist. that said ive never been a huge fan of rob evan doing steinman, so i might be a little biased on this one.

I didn't hear Rhydian yet but I did hear Rob Evan live doing Steinman...ummm...not so good as far as I am concerned...no passion...singing by the book...

20 Jan 2008, 12:57	#1
Diane Super Moderator Join Date: 04.02.2003 Location: Guernsey, Channel Islands Posts: 3,462	Steinman To Write For Rhydian Meatloaf writer signs up for Rhydian album Jan 20 2008 by Our Correspondent, Wales On Sunday X-FACTOR star Rhydian Roberts’ career is taking off like Bat Out Of Hell – thanks to Meatloaf’s songwriter Jim Steinman. The man who penned some of the super-sized singer’s most popular songs is now helping Rhydian write songs for his debut album, due out in October. “I’m thrilled about that,” said Rhyd. “It seems Jim had seen a clip of me singing Meatloaf’s I Would Do Anything For Love (But I Won’t Do That) on one of the X Factor shows, a song he himself had written. “I’m a big Meatloaf fan too, we’ve both got that kind of quasi-opera thing going on – although he’s a tenor and I’m a baritone.” It’s another coup for Rhydian, following on the heels of signing a £1m album deal with Simon Cowell’s label Sony BMG last month. But it’s not been all plain sailing for Rhydian, who was pipped to the top prize by popular 19-year-old Scottish shop assistant Leon Jackson last December. Speaking on his return from a holiday in Mexico, he told Wales on Sunday that he spent the first seven days of his relaxing break laid up with a bout of pneumonia. “Well, I say ‘pneumonia’, but my uncle Nigel reckons it was more like a really bad case of man flu,” said the 24-year-old star from Sennybridge, who was taking a fortnight break abroad with his parents and a small army of relatives. “Uncle Nige had it too, not as bad as me, of course.We both started feeling ill after getting off the plane. “But whatever it was, it was a shocker and I was out of action for the first seven days, that’s why I look so pale in the pics you’ve seen of me,” Rhydian added. “I had constant headaches, water on the chest and couldn’t walk about hardly at all.” The two weeks away, though, have helped him to recover from the initial disappointment of finishing in second place – not to mention the cries of “‘Fix!” that surrounded the X Factor live final as 2,500 furious fans claimed they couldn’t vote for their favourite because phone lines were jammed. “I’m leaving all that behind me, there’s no sense in dwelling on ‘what ifs’,” said the singer, en route to perform two sold-out shows in Southampton. “Besides, how could I? I’ve got so much going on. I feel blessed. “Yes, I was disappointed not to have won but I take my hat off to Leon. He has done well. “But Simon (Cowell) and Sony have faith in me and are confident I won’t disappear now the show is over. I am trusting them.” And to make sure he stays in the spotlight, Rhydian said a change of image could be on the cards. “I may dye my hair fire-engine red next,” he said. “Variety is the spice of life and I like to surprise people.” nathan.bevan@mediawales.co.uk Found here

20 Jan 2008, 13:33	#2
meatloaf-unofficial Mega Loafer Join Date: 06.02.2006 Location: Touring the Country Posts: 2,558	well what can we say? Once the album is done it should be really interesting if Jim is on board

20 Jan 2008, 14:31	#3
djfierce Mega Loafer Join Date: 15.06.2005 Location: Posts: 3,596	It'll also be interesting to see how many think he's great all of a sudden

20 Jan 2008, 14:35	#4
meatloaf-unofficial Mega Loafer Join Date: 06.02.2006 Location: Touring the Country Posts: 2,558	It will be worth listening to if Jim is helping writing the songs... don't ya think? Could he be the next Meat Loaf???????................... Joke! Not one can replace a true rock opera artist!

20 Jan 2008, 14:44	#5
djfierce Mega Loafer Join Date: 15.06.2005 Location: Posts: 3,596	well considering over on the x factor thread alot of folk were saying he couldnt sing then no it doesnt matter who writes for him. I did say over there i thought he had a good voice, my point above is simply that it will be interesting to see how many people change their mind JUST because Steinman is invloved. It's a great opportunity for Rhydian and i'm sure he will make the most of it, however i would've listened to his debut single with interest regardless of who's involved. It will also be intersting to see what direction Steinman takes him, i just hope it isnt gonna be a mini meat project However good luck to the lad

20 Jan 2008, 15:33	#6
Ma.Ra Trekkie Join Date: 25.07.2004 Location: in the middle of nowhere Posts: 863	As far as I have seen on youtube, he has definitely not the stage performance of Meat. For me, his AFL from x-factor is not good (politely said). If one of the "should have been on bat3"songs lands on his CD.... It is just blasphemy.

20 Jan 2008, 15:47	#7
djfierce Mega Loafer Join Date: 15.06.2005 Location: Posts: 3,596	yes AFL was a disaster but he can sing and did seem to grow alot thru the series so we will see what happens

20 Jan 2008, 19:10	#8
The Flying Mouse Armed ba$tard and Jo's other half. Join Date: 06.08.2002 Location: In the middle of nowhere near the end of the line. Posts: 16,104	NOT an X Factor fan in any shape or form, so only seen snippets of the contest when i've walked into a room and it's been on a telly. I noticed Rhydian in the last few weeks of the competition, and thought he had a pretty good voice (although being a stuborn ~~~~~~, it is engrained in my phycie to hate everything to do with X Factor ) I didn't see the Anything Fopr Love performance on TV so i've just looked for it on youtube. Can't say I enjoyed that performance very much, was way too pop IMHO. I've also watched his performance of Go West, and although not out and out offensive, I wasn't overlly impressed. With all that said, I REALLY enjoyed his versions of Oh Holy Night and Phantom Of The Opera If Jimmy gives him some great songs, and he sings it in a style true to the material, I think the result could be pretty good. I'm hardly counting the days so I can start camping outside HMV a week before the release day though

20 Jan 2008, 19:34	#9
djfierce Mega Loafer Join Date: 15.06.2005 Location: Posts: 3,596	Phantom of the opera was certainly the most outstanding performance of his as far as i'm concerned

20 Jan 2008, 19:55	#10
Heg19 Super Loafer Join Date: 12.08.2007 Location: Huddersfield Posts: 539	I'm sure Rhydian will do very well can't say i like him, he has a fantastic voice but comes across as very wooden and i thought his version of anything for love was incredibly wooden he had no emotion! but good luck to the fella he was a better singer than the one who won!

20 Jan 2008, 23:26	#13
Sapphire Lady Mega Loafer Join Date: 21.04.2003 Location: Scotland Posts: 1,213	Well I say good luck to Rhydian. If it's true, Jim has obviously recognised a great talent in him.

21 Jan 2008, 11:18	#16
RadioMaster The German Join Date: 11.03.2006 Location: some kind of hunting lodge for rich weirdos... Posts: 15,778	I have to say i havent listened to any performance of this guy so far, simply because I wasnt interested in another one of those numerous casting shows. However, the fact that there's actually a record deal signed with Jim involved implies that this project could be going somewhere, unlike batman, dream engine, etc, etc, etc Im just happy that we (might) get a new Steinman album

21 Jan 2008, 11:53	#17
djfierce Mega Loafer Join Date: 15.06.2005 Location: Posts: 3,596	i dont actually see anyone comparing rhydian to meat, that's impossible, we havent seen what rhydian and jim have come up with yet. My one and only point is that i hope jim takes him in a completely different direction and something unique to rhydian, i personally couldnt give a ~~~~ who sings what, but i ould like to see something that would be new. The nature of rhydians voice would make it easy for him to sing meat/steinman songs so i hope for something different, not neccessariy because i think Meat's versions are sacred and can't b touched but because i think Rhydian deserves a bit more than that. I too wish him well, he should've won the x factor, imo the pretty young lad with no vocals won instead

21 Jan 2008, 12:15	#18
AndyK Relentless Join Date: 21.11.2003 Location: Over the top..... seeing what's on the other side Posts: 18,694	Yeah in this case the best man didn't win, but then Rhydian doesn't have the "teen" appeal does he, hopefully with his talent he'll have more longevity in the business than a one hit wonder. If Rhydian and Jim do work together, then that's not a bad thing at all, with any luck we'll get some new Steinman material to get our teeth (ears) into.

21 Jan 2008, 15:20	#19
mszee Mega Loafer Join Date: 29.03.2006 Location: And you think you're down under??? Posts: 26,252	Well, I don't know who Rhydian is - we don't get that show here...but WHICH uncle Nigel was he refering to??? What a coincidence...if it is a coincidence...

21 Jan 2008, 17:40	#21
RadioMaster The German Join Date: 11.03.2006 Location: some kind of hunting lodge for rich weirdos... Posts: 15,778	just looked up his performance of afl on youtube, and i have to say hes definitely got something. Hes got a bit of an opera touch, which i always like about singers (-> Steve Barton, etc) I'm sure if Jim finds material that suits him and makes him understand the songs, then the result wont to too bad.

21 Jan 2008, 19:06	#22
dottie queen post- whore extraordinaire Join Date: 29.01.2003 Location: Still Rockin' at "72" Posts: 13,181	Also in The Sun On Line - great article http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage...icle709853.ece

21 Jan 2008, 19:14	#23
Ma.Ra Trekkie Join Date: 25.07.2004 Location: in the middle of nowhere Posts: 863	LOL, but Rob Evan and the others of TDE is soo much better than this guy.... I really don't understand Steinman. If he would be interested in the art, he would have continued with TDE, but no, he has to work with a casting guy.... Seems Steinman is primarly interested in money. Even with a Steinsong he failed...