‘I Hope Paradise Is as You Remember It From the Dashboard Light’: Celebrities, Collaborators Pay Tribute to Meat Loaf

News of Meat Loaf’s death on Thursday at the age of 74 led to an outpouring of grief on social media, with tributes flooding in from Brian May, Cher, and more.

“Remembering great times,” May wrote. “Completely gutted that Meat Loaf has left us. Always full of madness, with the innocent sense of naughtiness of a 5-year-old, Meat was forever young. I called him Mr. Loaf, and he called me when he wanted some wacky guitar playing. We had so much fun so many times, and, just three months younger than me, he felt like a brother. Dear Meat, the world is mourning and will miss your fine and powerful presence for a very long time.”

“I am shocked and saddened by the sudden death of Meat Loaf,” said Bonnie Tyler, who’s “Total Eclipse of the Heart” was written and produced by the late Jim Steinman. “He was, as you might imagine, a larger than life character with a voice and stage presence to match and is one of those rare people who truly was a one off talent and personality.”

Cher tweeted, “Had so much fun with Meat Loaf when we did ‘Dead Ringer.’ Am very sorry for his family, friends, and fans. Am I imagining it, or are amazing people in the arts dying every other day?” Boy George shared a humorous anecdote about the late singer saying, “He once turned me upside down in a Chinese Restaurant in St Johns Wood.”

“James Gandolfini introduced me to Meat Loaf at a party one night,” Michael Imperioli said. “They were friends. I imagine them right now: laughing and toasting while some celestial hi-fi blasts away in a smoky corner of heaven.”

“A gentle hearted powerhouse rockstar forever and ever,” Adam Lambert wrote. “You were so kind. Your music will always be iconic. I’m sure you’re singing concerts in the great beyond. Rest In Peace sir.” Rick Astley called Meat Loaf “a legend,” while Andrew Lloyd Webber wrote, “The vaults of heaven will be ringing with rock. Give my best to Jim.” Comedian Stephen Fry said, “I hope paradise is as you remember it from the dashboard light, Meat Loaf. Had a fun time performing a sketch with him on Saturday Live way back in the last century.”

Bebe Buell also took to Instagram to share a detailed remembrance. “I first met Meat when he was staying in Bearsville, New York while Todd Rundgren was recording and producing his Bat Out Of Hell masterpiece,” she wrote. “I was still living with Todd at that time and I was pregnant with Liv. He and Jim Steinman sort of turned Woodstock on its ear for the time they were in town and I nicknamed him ‘Mighty Meat’ after Mighty Mouse and he loved it! We shared a love of the paranormal and he believed there were ghosts at the Bearsville guest quarters where he was bunking. The house and studio Todd had in nearby Lake Hill wasn’t far away and one night he called me screaming to come get him! There’s more to the story but I’m just too sad to keep writing.”

“RIP Marvin Lee Aday,” she added. “You were a force and a surreal entertainer and you will be greatly missed. Your legions of fans will never forget you. My heart is with those who loved him and now he’s with Jim Steinman where they can create more heavenly musical rarities.”