Tuesday, February 8, 2022

A (Belated) Tribute To Meat Loaf

 

Like a Bat Out of Hell, Michael Lee Aday, a.k.a. “Meat Loaf,” burst on the music scene in 1977. His debut album was a best-seller for nine consecutive years, until 1986. His song, “Paradise by the Dashboard Light,” thrilled millions of amorous teens and young adults for years…and still does. It was effectively a rite of passage for a generation. I myself have many fond memories of the song.

Meat Loaf is gone now, having passed on January 20th, 2022.

He was an incredibly passionate performer, but it wasn’t a bit, it was who he was. And there was something else I liked about him. He believed in the sanctity of men, women, and the sacred love they could have for each other. He still possessed quaint notions of masculinity, femininity, sexual complementarity, chivalry, and faithfulness. One of his songs contains the lyrics, “I would do anything for love……but I won’t do that.” He meant that he would do anything for love……but would never cheat. Another one of his songs is titled “If this is the last kiss, let’s make it last all night.” I don’t know when he and his wife Deborah Gillespie had their last kiss, but here’s hoping it lasts for all eternity. His wife wanted, needed, and loved him…deeply. 

Meat Loaf got to do what he loved most, which is sing and perform. And he did find love with his wonderful wife. Unfortunately, he didn’t live as long as he would have liked.

But, in retrospect, we shouldn’t be sad.

‘Cause two out of three ain’t bad.

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