Day 8: Percolating Bats in Heaven and Hell

In spite of the litigious, toxic, and tempestuous relationship with Steinman, Meat Loaf knew that his fans were waiting for a follow-up to Bat Out of Hell. Yes, he'd released four studio albums since then. Yes, he'd included a Steinman song here and there, but he knew from touring and from listening to his fans that while his independent efforts were good, they just weren't Bat-tastic.

He also knew Steinman required a lot of creative creation time.

When Steinman extended the figurative nutter branch and invited Meat over to his cave, they sang and played the old songs, rehashed the fonder memories, and tentatively agreed that maybe it was time to fully collaborate once again on Bat II.

Meat was between label deals at the time. Not unlike the first attempts to sell Bat I, he met with resistance from execs. Not unlike the first time, much of that resistance was due to Steinman. No business wanted the burden of legal time-bomb of a Meat and Steinman mash-up. Additionally, Steinman commanded quite a bit of money for his hits, because when he finally birthed a musical baby and sold it off to the right adoptive parent, it was pure money for everyone involved.

Two of the best artists for Steinman's dramatic songs were Meat Loaf and Bonnie Tyler, so in 1989, Columbia records released the greatest Steiman hits compilation album Heaven and Hell. It kept both artists in the spotlight while Steinman skulked into his dark lair to create his next evil masterpiece.

Meat Loaf knew, "Heaven Can Wait"

Day29: More Than You Deserve

Meat Loaf & Stoney didn't last long on the Motown label, but the two good friends joined up with Jack Wade and hit the road opening for Rare Earth. Meat livened up the stage (and the pit) with his grandios antics...the kind of antics that are common place for punk bands these days, but back then, not so much. 300lbs of Meat ran through audiences, egged on call & response, and generally had a big sweaty blast.

When that gig ended, he got a call from the producers of Hair. They were putting on an "All-Star" version in NYC. A few disasters with the building structure and a hostile cast sent Meat on his way to Pittsburgh, then Toronto, then Buffalo productions of the musical that paid his bills. This strange circuitous path led him to one of the most important introductions of his life:

Enter Jim Steinman

Meat auditioned for the musical "More Than You Deserve." It's written by Steinman and Michael Weller.

"I sang 'I'd Love to be as Heavy as Jesus,' and Steinman was the only one in the room. ... Now that I know Steinman really well, I know why he was the only one in the room. He doesn't like anyone to invade his space." -- From To Hell and Back: an Autobiography

He played the part of the loon Rabbit, a solider who "helps" his buddies get "home" by blowing them to Timbuktu. Meat latched on to the insanity of the character, a character whose song would later be included on Meat's 1981 Dead Ringer album.