Meat Loaf, 'Bat Out of Hell' Singer, Dies At 74

Meat Loaf, the larger-than-life singer whose bombastic rock opera "Bat Out of Hell" is one of the best-selling albums of all time, has died at age 74, according to a statement on his verified Facebook page, Melissa Alonso, Sean Federico-O'Murchu, and Lisa Respers France reported for CNN.

Photo Insert: Marvin Lee Aday was the flamboyant rock icon's real name.

"Our hearts are broken to announce that the incomparable Meat Loaf passed away tonight with his wife Deborah by his side," the statement read. "Daughters Pearl and Amanda and close friends have been with him throughout the last 24 hours." Meat Loaf's agent confirmed his death to CNN. No cause of death was shared.

Tributes poured in for the artist whose career spanned six decades. Meat Loaf also appeared in several television shows and films, including the cult classic "The Rocky Horror Picture Show," "Fight Club" and "Wayne's World."

The singer acknowledged physical problems had affected his ability to perform. But in November, he posted on Facebook that he'd had four back surgeries and would be back in the studio in the new year.

"The back surgeries hurt everything. Before the back surgeries I was still trying to do shows, that's when some of you saw or heard of me collapsing on stage and finally stopping the tour in the UK. I couldn't hit high notes because of back pain. Not a slight back pain.

Pain that would bring you to your knees," he wrote. In 2016, Meat Loaf collapsed at a concert in the Canadian city of Edmonton and was admitted to the hospital. The cause was dehydration, a spokesperson said at the time.

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