Like a Bat Out of Hell

The Larger Than Life Story of Meat Loaf

By: Mick Wall

Narrated by: Ash Rizi

Length: 9 hrs and 14 mins

Publisher's Summary

Everything in the story of Meat Loaf is big. From the place he was born (Texas); to the family he was born into (his father weighed 22 stone, his uncle weighed over 40 stone, while Meat Loaf himself weighed 17 stone before he was even in his teens); to the sound he made (a colossal collision between Richard Wagner, Phil Spector and Bruce Springsteen); and of course the records he sold - nearly 50 million in Britain and America alone.

Now, on the eve of the 40th anniversary of Bat Out of Hell, the album that gave rise to Meat Loaf's astonishing career, and the premiere of Bat Out Of Hell: The Musical, Mick Wall, who has interviewed Meat Loaf on numerous occasions throughout his career, pulls back the curtains to reveal the soft-hearted soul behind the larger-than-life character he created for himself.

From a tumultuous childhood with an alcoholic father to the relentless abusive bullying from classmates and their parents alike, nobody could have predicted Meat Loaf's meteoric rise to fame. But when the messianic rock opera Bat Out of Hell was released in 1977, it became one of the biggest albums of all time, selling over 45 million copies worldwide to date.

Its release marked the start of a roller-coaster ride of incredible highs and seemingly career-ending lows. By the '80s Meat Loaf was battling with drug and alcohol addiction and escalating money problems that would eventually lead to a nervous breakdown. But just when it seemed like it was all over, the astonishing success of Bat Out of Hell II and the mega-hit 'I'd Do Anything for Love (But I Won't Do That)' marked an extraordinary new wave of success.

Now, Mick Wall brings this extraordinary story up to date, drawing on the hours he spent with Meat Loaf, both in interviews and on tour, as well as offering up a unique insight from those who have known him best.

©2017 Mick Wall (P)2017 Audible, Ltd

horrible narration

I love the story. The author has a great way of describing things. However, the person doing this narration is just awful. Every American accent just sounds like a really bad southern accent, and it is a British gentleman reading the story. Also, the part of the book where Meat loses his voice is supposed to sound more like a gravelly voice that's run out of air, and this dude just does some weird sexual noise over and over again and it's just awkward to listen to.

Great

This book is fantastic if you are a Meat Loaf fan. The detail is great without getting bogged down. I would highly recommend it.

Bat Out Of Hell

This is an excellent biography of Meatloaf, any Meatloaf can should greatly enjoy. Highly recommended for everybody.

R.I.P Jim Steinman

I’m a Meatloaf fan since 77 so this was a bit of a no brainer for me. Well written and in fairness a good narration which brought the stories to life better. Seems ironic with Jim’s passing recently I came across this and it was well worth it. Crazy winding road of Meat and Jim’s journey since the great Bat out of Hell album. Everything talked about and in good detail. Of course I loved it.

Great round up of the Meat & Jim story

Very easy listen. Thorough telling of the stories of both Jim Steinman & Meat Loaf. Would recommend to fans of either and also just lovers of popular music.

very interesting

I found this very interesting . I learnt a lot more about a meat loaf and his relationship with jim Steinman ..Good listen.

A little more attention to production...

Excellent research, writing and narration, with solid vocal personalisation of the actors in this biography. Unfortunately though, the production team appear rather ambivalent towards audio level continuity... vocal volume is noticeable different between edit points and not always continuity of inflection on longer sentences.