So long then Meatloaf. I heard the sad news as soon as my radio alarm switched on yesterday morning.

I was never the greatest fan of his – the productions on his recordings were (I know deliberately) overblown – but I certainly recognised his ability as a performer whenever I saw footage of his concerts/performances on TV. You could certainly never mistake his voice for anyone else. That’s one of the things that makes for a distinctive artist though.

He seems to have been a relatively modest guy too; not like your usual pop star, though he would refuse that designation. He apparently didn’t like anyone using the words ‘icon’ or ‘rock star’ about him and refused to have them on any promotional material.

I must confess I don’t remember hearing the spoken word intro to this track – his first UK hit, albeit only at no 33 – before. Radio edits must omit it.

Meat Loaf: You Took the Words Right Out of My Mouth (Hot Summer Night)

Michael Lee Aday (Meat Loaf:) 27/9/1947 – 20/1/2022. So it goes.