Photo courtesy of Meat Loaf via Facebook.
Meat Loaf, a Thomas Jefferson High School alumnus who gained fame as a rock musician and actor, has died at 74, according to a statement on his Facebook page.
“Our hearts are broken to announce that the incomparable Meat Loaf passed away tonight surrounding by his wife Deborah, daughters Pearl and Amanda and close friends,” the statement says.
The statement, which was posted Thursday night, did not give a reason for the death of Michael Lee Aday. However, he did have some health issues recently. In late November 2021, he posted on Facebook that he had four back surgeries and planned to be back in the studio this year. The back pain prevented him from singing the high notes.
Over his life, Meat Loaf, who was born in Dallas, had a career that spanned six decades. He sold over 100 million albums and starred in dozens of movies, such as Fight Club, Focus, Rocky Horror Picture Show and Wayne’s World, according to the statement.
He was inducted into the Texas Film Hall of Fame in 2012, and in 2015, he received a TJ High School Distinguished Alumni award.
His 1977 album Bat Out of Hell was one of the best-selling albums of all time. It was even turned into a musical.
“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,” the statement says.
Meat Loaf was one of the rock icons with ties to our neighborhood. Michael Nesmith, one of The Monkees, died late last year at 78; he also grew up in Dallas and attended Thomas Jefferson High School. And Steve Miller went to St. Mark’s School of Texas.
