Musicians, actors and even an ex-President of the USA have made emotional tributes to rocker Meat Loaf who died at 74 on Friday night (NZ time).
The singer died with his wife by his side. His daughters, Pearl and Amanda, had been with him in his final hours. No cause of death was immediately disclosed.
TMZ is reporting Meat Loaf died after being diagnosed with COVID-19 and he was seriously ill with the virus.
"Our hearts are broken to announce that the incomparable Meat Loaf passed away," his family said in a statement. "From his heart to your souls … don't ever stop rocking!"
Delivering epic anthems about love, lust and motorcycles with an intensity bordering on melodrama, Meat Loaf became an enduring - and sometimes bombastic - rock icon in the late 1970s.
The singer and actor, otherwise known as Marvin Lee Aday, sold more than 100 million records worldwide and had roles in films "The Rocky Horror Show" and "Fight Club".
With hits including the near 10-minute-long title track from "Bat Out of Hell", "Paradise by the Dashboard Light" from the same album, and 1993's "I'd Do Anything for Love (But I Won't Do That)", Meat Loaf's appeal extended far beyond hard rock fans.
British singer and former Culture Club frontman Boy George recounted a time Meat Loaf held him upside down in a restaurant.
Rocker Lenny Kravitz paid tribute.
Opinionated British TV personality Piers Morgan called him "A wondrously talented, flamboyant, funny, outrageous and rebellious chameleon."
Edward Norton, who starred with Meat Loaf in the iconic film Fight Club, posted called him "funny and gentle."
Fellow rocker Alice Cooper said the deceased singer was "so much fun."
Former British teen-pop idol Rick Astley - don't worry if you don't remember him - also paid tribute.
Former Blondie guitarist Chris Stein posted a picture of Meat Loaf with Debbie Harry in the late 1970s.
And even former US President Donald Trump paid tribute.
