The lights dim, and 25,000 people hush as the band's intro tune strikes up... The Beatles' 'When I'm Sixty-Four'. 65 year old Meat Loaf has a sense of humour! It's a knowing nod to the fact that although he'd go on forever if he could, his body is not as willing as his heart. Ambling on for the first song, he still works the length of the stage as best he can- recent knee surgery curtails the dashes of his heyday. Runnin' For The Red Light from 1995's gem of an album 'Welcome To The Neighbourhood' is a perfect opener- up tempo and setting the stall out for the evening. 'Gonna have a good time tonight. Crazy from the heat and runnin' for the red light!'. Possibly another intentional gag in following it up with Life Is A Lemon (And I Want My Money Back), but tonight no-one will be asking for a refund. The highlights of the first set are 'Dead Ringer For Love', Patti Russo exceptional as Meat Loaf's female foil. The power and clarity in her voice is outstanding. And the emotional 'Objects In The Rear View Mirror' from 1993's Bat II. The huge screen is used to display the songs video, and it adds a 'this is your life' angle to the performance as flashes of Meat Loaf of 20 years ago are seen. Having bought the single on cassette at the time, it makes ME feel old! Meat Loaf ends the first half with 'Out Of The Frying Pan (And In To The Fire)' as the screen announces that following a 15 minute interval, he will return to perform Bat Out Of Hell in full...
Practically a 'greatest hits' set in itself, such is the love for these seven tracks it's a spine-tingling moment as the piano intro starts up and Meat Loaf teases the crowd... waiting and waiting before launching in to the first line. The crowd are all on their feet and he delivers a stronger vocal effort than I thought was possible anymore- for this song and the remainder of the set. The promise before tonight was that 'I will give you everything I got even if it kills me' and that he did. Taking to a stool between songs, the big screen displays soundbites from Jim Steinman, Meat himself, Ellen Foley, Karla DeVito (who provided the female vocals live and on record). Jim Steinman's love and enthusiasm for the songs is infectious and a nice touch to have him a part of the evening. 'You Took The Words Right Out Of My Mouth' is the O2's chance to shine and the 25,000 sell-out crowd sing along impeccably to the chorus. A beautiful 'Heaven Can Wait' acts as a breather for all as the audience sits and listens, enthralled before it picks back up again for 'All Revved Up With No Place To Go'. Credit again to Meat Loaf for the effort given- it is obvious how he is holding nothing in reserve. More laughs as 'Two Out Of Three Ain't Bad' is introduced with the story of its creation- Jim Steinman challenged to write a simple 'I want you, I need you, I love you' style song. He managed, sort of, with a twist...! Patti Russo comes to the fore again for 'Paradise By The Dashboard Light'. Returning to the stage in a 'Grease' style 1950's style high school outfit and playing off Meat Loaf perfectly, her 'Stop right there!' has everyone's attention and the track is taken up a notch as the tension escalates- Meat Loaf is exceptional as he responds to Patti's pleas and demands. The last song is 'For Crying Out Loud', rightfully described by Meat as 'Jim Steinman's masterpiece'. Much will be said about how this tour will take it out of him physically, but the emotional impact can't be overlooked- this album made him and it's a phenomenal body of work that has been his life for the last 35 years. Accompanied by a piano delicately playing the intro on loop, Meat Loaf's voice cracks as he addresses the audience- sincerely and genuinely thanking them for 'allowing a 65 year old man to come up here and sing to you'.
As the song ends it earns a tremendous
standing ovation and the applause lasts until long after the last person
leaves the stage. But he wouldn't leave without saying goodbye. (He'd
do anything for love, but he won't do that). To no-one's surprise but
everybody's delight, the band return for the mega-hit that was UK number
one for 7 weeks (and the first single I ever bought!). Once again the epic, cinematic video plays on the huge screen and the encore begins with 'I'd Do Anything For Love (But I Won't Do That)'. As long as the song is, you wish it was longer as everyone is having such a good time. The night draws to its final close with the band taking their bows, and Meat Loaf shredding all over a Union Jack liveried guitar, in a massive stetson.
His name was Marvin Lee Aday. His name IS Meat Loaf.
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