Singer and actor Meat Loaf dead at 74

Meat Loaf, the rock superstar loved by millions for his Bat Out of Hell album and for such theatrical, dark-hearted anthems as Paradise By the Dashboard Light, Two Out of Three Ain't Bad, and I'd Do Anything for Love (But I Won't Do That), has died. He was 74.

The singer, born Marvin Lee Aday, died Thursday, according to a family statement provided by his longtime agent Michael Greene.

"Our hearts are broken to announce that the incomparable Meat Loaf passed away tonight," the statement said. "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 ... From his heart to your souls .... don't ever stop rocking!"

No cause or other details were given, but Aday had numerous health scares over the years.

Bat Out of Hell, his mega-selling collaboration with songwriter Jim Steinman and producer Todd Rundgren, came out in 1977 and made him one of the most recognizable performers in rock.

Fans fell hard for his roaring vocals and the comic non-romance of the title track, You Took The Words Right Out of My Mouth, Two Out of Three Ain't Bad and Paradise By the Dashboard Light, an operatic cautionary tale about going all the way.

Paradise was a duet with Ellen Foley that featured play by play from New York Yankees broadcaster Phil Rizzuto, who alleged — to much skepticism — that he was unaware of any alternate meanings to reaching third base and heading for home.

After a slow start and mixed reviews, Bat Out of Hell became one of the top-selling albums in history, with worldwide sales of more than 40 million copies. Meat Loaf wasn't a consistent hit maker, especially after falling out for years with Steinman. But he maintained close ties with his fans through his manic live shows, social media and his many television, radio and film appearances, including Fight Club and cameos on Glee and South Park.

Friends and fans mourned his death on social media. "I hope paradise is as you remember it from the dashboard light, Meat Loaf," actor Stephen Fry said on Twitter.

Andrew Lloyd Webber tweeted, "The vaults of heaven will be ringing with rock." 

Meat Loaf's biggest musical success after Bat Out of Hell was Bat Out of Hell II: Back into Hell, a 1993 reunion with Steinman that sold more than 15 million copies and featured the Grammy-winning single I'd Do Anything for Love (But I Won't Do That).

Steinman died in April.

Aday's other albums included Bat Out of Hell III: The Monster is Loose, Hell in a Handbasket and Braver Than We Are. His songs included Dead Ringer for Love with Cher, who shared her condolences on Twitter.

A native of Dallas, Aday was the son of a school teacher who raised him on her own after divorcing his alcoholic father, a police officer. Aday was singing and acting in high school (Mick Jagger was an early favourite, so was Ethel Merman) and attended Lubbock Christian College and what is now the University of North Texas.