Bat Out of Hell singer Meat Loaf dies aged 74 with wife by his side

Meat Loaf told a fan three weeks ago that he’d recently had an endoscopy and complained about never-ending lockdowns and restrictions, telling the fan in a Cameo video: ‘COVID’s a drag, but you can blame China. ‘ 

The singer, 74, died on Thursday surrounded by his family. TMZ cites sources who say he died after becoming critically ill with COVID-19. 

Two weeks ago, his daughter Pearl posted on Instagram that a number of her ‘friends and family’ had tested positive. She did not specify whether her father was one of them, but said: ‘Thank their respect for science that they’re all vaxxed, otherwise they’d be way worse.’ 

It remains unclear whether or not he was vaccinated – he refused to disclose it to fans, and urged them all not to talk politics when coming to his shows – and his family has not revealed if he died at his home in Nashville or in the hospital.

In the paid-for Cameo video, he tried to sing Happy Birthday to a fan called Marty but his voice croaked. 

‘I can’t really sing too well because I had anesthesia today and I had a pipe shoved down my throat. An endoscopy this morning. Ugh, Marty take care.’ 

He then said he hoped the fan would be able to enjoy his birthday with friends and family, saying: ‘I hope that you’re able to have at least your family celebrate your family with you. COVID is a drag and we’re all suffering because of it but you can blame China.

‘I love you Marty, and one more thing – keep rocking.’ 

In an interview last August, he said he was against politicians trying to force restrictions on people. The singer asked the journalist from the Pittsburgh Post Gazette whether or not they’d like a hug. 

‘I’m happy to give you a hug. I hug people in the middle of COVID,’ he said. The reporter replied: ‘You do? You’re not afraid?’  

In the paid-for Cameo video, he tried to sing Happy Birthday to a fan called Marty but his voice croaked. ‘I can’t really sing too well because I had anesthesia today and I had a pipe shoved down my throat. An endoscopy this morning. Ugh, Marty take care’

March last year: Singer Meat Loaf and country artist John Rich perform at Redneck Riviera Nashville on March 27, 2021 in what was his final show

Meat Loaf and country artist John Rich performed at Redneck Riviera Nashville on March 27, 2021 in Nashville. It was his last show

Cast members of Bat Out of Hell the Musical perform the shows pay tribute to Meat Loaf during a performance at the the New Wimbledon Theatre, south west London, last night

Rob Fowler (holding microphone) leads members of the cast of Bat Out Of Hell in paying tribute to Meat Loaf during their curtain call at New Wimbledon Theatre

Members of the audience join cast members of Bat Out of Hell the Musical to pay tribute to Meat Loaf after a performance at the the New Wimbledon Theatre, south west London

Before their joint performance in March 2021, Meat Loaf and John Rich were photographed promoting whiskey at the Redneck Riviera Nashville

This is believed to be the last picture of Meat Loaf in public. It was taken on November 21 in Nashville, at a benefit for the Scott Hamilton CARES…