BAT OUT OF HELL
Bat Out of Hell is the second studio album and the major-label debut by American rock singer Meat Loaf, as well as being his first collaboration with composer Jim Steinman and producer Todd Rundgren, released on October 21, 1977 on Cleveland International/Epic Records. It is one of the best-selling albums of all time, having sold over 43 million copies worldwide. Rolling Stone Magazine ranked it at number 343 on its list of the 500 greatest albums of all time in 2003. Its musical style is influenced by Steinman’s appreciation of Richard Wagner, Phil Spector, Bruce Springsteen, and The Who. The album went on to become one of the most influential and iconic albums of all time, and its songs have remained classic rock staples. A musical based on the album, staged by Jay Scheib, opened at the Manchester Opera House on 17 February 2017 before transferring to the London Coliseum. (More from Wikipedia)
Before releasing his monster hit album in 1971 called Bat out of Hell, Meat Loaf was in a duo called Stoney & Meatloaf that was signed by Motown the year before. Others include Crystal Mansion (a white psychedelic/R&B band that is a future UARB), Toe Fat (a British band that included two future members of Uriah Heep), Love Sculpture (a Welsh blues-rock band that was led by Dave Edmunds), and a Dutch band called the Cats.
(April 2015/1)
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People bought more albums in the 1970’s than at any time before or since. For what it’s worth, 6 of the 10 biggest selling albums of all time were released during the 1970’s – in order, they are The Dark Side of the Moon by Pink Floyd; Bat out of Hell by Meat Loaf; Their Greatest Hits (1971–1975) by the Eagles; the Saturday Night Fever Soundtrack (featuring the Bee Gees and others); Rumours by Fleetwood Mac; and Led Zeppelin IV by Led Zeppelin. However you might feel about these chestnuts, it is hard to imagine a more varied group of albums. Thriller by Michael Jackson (1983) remains Number One, but I was certainly surprised to see Back in Black (1980) by AC/DC in second place.
(December 2016)
