According to the Guardian and the BBC, the “Bat out of Hell” singer died Thursday night. His wife, Deborah, was with him when he died, his family said in a post on the artist’s official Facebook page early Friday.
“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 post read, adding that family members would like privacy as they mourn.
“From his heart to your souls … don’t ever stop rocking!” the post read.
Our hearts are broken to announce that the incomparable Meat Loaf passed away tonight surrounded by his wife Deborah,...
The statement did not reveal the singer’s cause of death.
Meat Loaf, whose birth name was Marvin Lee Aday but later changed to Michael, sold more than 100 million albums during his decadeslong career, according to the Facebook post. He won a Grammy Award for his 1993 hit, “I’d Do Anything for Love (But I Won’t Do That).”
Meat Loaf also appeared in several films, including “The Rocky Horror Picture Show” (1975), “Wayne’s World” (1992) and “Fight Club” (1999), according to IMDB.
In addition to his wife, the singer is survived by his daughters, Pearl and Amanda, who were with him in the 24 hours before his death, his family said.
Celebrities took to social media Friday to pay tribute to Meat Loaf. Here’s what they were saying:
The vaults of heaven will be ringing with rock. RIP Meatloaf. Give my best to Jim. - ALW
RIP Meat Loaf, 74. One of rock music’s all-time great characters whose seminal iconic album Bat Out Of Hell is one of the biggest-selling records in history. A wondrously talented, flamboyant, funny, outrageous and rebellious chameleon. Sad news. pic.twitter.com/J0UNQgGahn
A gentle hearted powerhouse rockstar forever and ever. You were so kind. Your music will always be iconic. I’m sure you’re singing concerts in the great beyond. Rest In Peace sir. #MeatLoafRIP#Meatloafpic.twitter.com/9twdJcOeP1
Photos: Meat Loaf through the years Here are some memorable photos of singer Meat Loaf through the years. (AP Photo/Arnd Wiegmann, pool)
Photos: Meat Loaf through the years Circa 1977: American rock singer Meat Loaf performing, circa 1977. (Keystone/Hulton Archive/Getty Images)
Photos: Meat Loaf through the years Circa 1978: American singer Meat Loaf performing on stage, circa 1978. (Keystone/Hulton Archive/Getty Images)
Photos: Meat Loaf through the years 1979: Rock star Meat Loaf is seen with his daughter Pearl Aday, left, and Lisa Ronson, daughter of British rock star Mick Ronson, in a New York coffee shop, June 7, 1979. (AP Photo)
Photos: Meat Loaf through the years 1980: Rock star Meat Loaf is shown with Spanish singer Charo at the American Music Awards on Jan. 18, 1980 in Los Angeles. (AP Photo)
Photos: Meat Loaf through the years Circa 1985: Rock star Meat Loaf holds his hand to his ear in a theatrical pose during a live concert. (Keystone/Getty Images)
Photos: Meat Loaf through the years 1987: Rock stars Chubby Checker, left, and Meat Loaf are seen together at the American Music Awards in Los Angeles on Jan. 26, 1987. (AP Photo/Lennox McLendon)
Photos: Meat Loaf through the years 2003: Singer Meat Loaf performs at the Sprite Rising Stars Slam Dunk Contest at the Philips Arena during the 2003 NBA All Star weekend on February 8, 2003, in Atlanta. (Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
Photos: Meat Loaf through the years 2004: Meat Loaf performs during the Meatloaf live performance at the Sydney Entertainment Centre on February 24, 2004, in Sydney, Australia. (Daniel Berehulak/Getty Images)
Photos: Meat Loaf through the years 2006: Meat Loaf of the USA team acknowledges the crowd on the 18th green during the Greensomes Matches of the 2006 Northern Rock All Star Cup held at the Celtic Manor Resort on August 27, 2006, in Cardiff, Wales. (Warren Little/Getty Images)
Photos: Meat Loaf through the years 2008: Meat Loaf attends the Q Awards 2008 held at the Grosvenor House Hotel on October 6, 2008, in London. (Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images)
Photos: Meat Loaf through the years 2009: Musician Meat Loaf arrives at the 2009 MusiCares Person of the Year Tribute to Neil Diamond at the Los Angeles Convention Center on February 6, 2009, in Los Angeles. (Jason Merritt/Getty Images)
Photos: Meat Loaf through the years 2010: Musician Meat Loaf attends the after party for Les Paul's 95th Birthday with Special Intimate Performance at Iridium Jazz Club on June 9, 2010, in New York City. (Stephen Lovekin/Getty Images for Gibson)
Photos: Meat Loaf through the years 2011: Meat Loaf performs at the Starkey Hearing Foundation's "So the World May Hear Awards Gala" 2011 at River Centre on July 24, 2011, in St. Paul, Minnesota. (Adam Bettcher/Getty Images for Starkey Hearing Foundation)
Photos: Meat Loaf through the years 2012: Musician Meat Loaf performs during a campaign rally for Republican presidential candidate, former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney at Defiance High School on October 25, 2012, in Defiance, Ohio. (Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)
Photos: Meat Loaf through the years 2013: Singer Meat Loaf arrives at the world premiere of Twentieth Century Fox and New Regency's film "Runner Runner" at Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino on September 18, 2013, in Las Vegas. (Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
Photos: Meat Loaf through the years 2015: Musicians Meatloaf (center) and Tom Scott (right) attend the after party for the SeriousFun Children's Network 2015 Los Angeles Gala: An Evening of SeriousFun celebrating the legacy of Paul Newman on May 14, 2015, in Hollywood, California. (Imeh Akpanudosen/Getty Images for SeriousFun Children's Network)
Photos: Meat Loaf through the years 2021: Singer Meat Loaf and country artist John Rich perform at Redneck Riviera Nashville on March 27, 2021, in Nashville, Tennessee. (Jason Kempin/Getty Images)
