IT'S MY LAST RIDE, SAYS MEAT LOAF


12:00 - 10 May 2003





Legendary rocker Meat Loaf is to quit the music industry after the release of his next studio album - 'Bat Out Of Hell 3'. Known throughout the world for the hits 'Bat Out Of Hell' and 'I'd Do Anything for Love (But I Won't Do That)', Meat Loaf exclusively revealed the news to the Herald in the countdown to a special city date on July 5.

The 56-year-old Dallas-born singer - who was in England to continue with his promotional work plugging his latest offering 'Couldn't Have Said It Better' - said he plans to spend more time at his California home with his family.

'Bat Out Of Hell 3' will be the end of an era for the singer who has released an incredible 29 albums in a musical career spanning more than 25 years.

The original 'Bat Out Of Hell' album produced three hit singles and stayed in the UK album chart for about eight years. To date it has sold more than 30 million copies across the world.

Released in 1993, 'Bat Out Of Hell 2' has also sold more than 10 million albums to date.

The shock announcement comes on the back of Meat Loaf's decision to quit extensive touring.

His latest tour, aptly entitled 'The Last World Tour', will in reality also be his last.

In an interview with the Herald, Meat Loaf - real name Marvin Lee Aday - said: "I counted up the other day and there are only about eight or nine acts in the world today that do world tours - most of them are not young any more.

"The way I see it there is Sting, Elton, Billy Joel, McCartney and The Stones and me among others that still do them - that's all.

"The youngest is probably Jon Bon Jovi and he's about 40 now.

"Our latest world tour will include 175 shows between June 2003 and September 2004.

"We will release Bat 3 (Bat Out of Hell 3) and possibly do 20 shows around the world.

"We're getting too old for it now and I need a break, man."

He added: "Bat 3 will be the last record.

"I have been at home in California for a total of eight weeks in the past year-and-a-half - it just gets too much.

"I love recording and playing live, but there are other things to do and I want to spend more time with my family.

"I just want to stay at home and lounge around for a while."

The Plymouth concert is one of only two summer dates in the UK this year.

The other concert promoting 'Couldn't Have Said It Better' will be staged at London's Hyde Park during Capital FM's Party in the Park event.

A total of 15 UK dates will follow later in the year. It will be the first UK arena tour in four years.

Meat Loaf is renowned for his film roles as well as his musical talent.

In 1997 he starred in Brad Pitt and Edward Norton's blockbuster Fightclub and in 1975 he also performed in The Rocky Horror Picture Show.

Meat Loaf's unenviable schedule shows what work has to go in to maintaining a worldwide fan base.

For his latest album, Meat Loaf has already been around the world on a six-month promotional tour.

Rehearsals for the forthcoming tour begin on Monday and are expected to last until late-June.

At the same time he said he has had to turn down at least five film offers in the last 45 days because of his hectic schedule.

"It is just finding the time to do everything," he added.

"I will be retiring from the music industry after the release of Bat 3.

"It will be the last album for sure - why not go out selling 12 million records?"

See next Friday's What's On section for the second part of the Meat Loaf interview.