Collaborators who worked and sang with Meat Loaf have shared fond memories of the US rocker as they described his death as “our loss, Heaven’s gain”.
The “kind and talented” musician was praised by his fellow artists for sharing his love of music and performing with the world.
Cher, who duetted with him on the 1981 track Dead Ringer for Love, recalled having “had so much fun” with him.
Queen guitarist Brian May, who also worked with Meat Loaf, said he was “completely gutted”.
He wrote on Instagram: “Always full of madness, with the innocent sense of naughtiness of a five-year old, Meat was forever young.”
Meat Loaf’s best-known album, the bombastic Bat Out Of Hell, remains one of the best-selling releases of all time.
The star sold 100 million albums worldwide in total and also appeared in movies like Fight Club, the Rocky Horror Picture Show and Wayne’s World.
He was also known for hits like I’d Do Anything For Love (But I Won’t Do That) and Dead Ringer For Love.
The news of his death was confirmed on the star’s Facebook page by his family.
“We know how much he meant to so many of you and we truly appreciate all of the love and support as we move through this time of grief in losing such an inspiring artist and beautiful man,” their message read.
Queen’s current frontman Adam Lambert remembered him as “a gentle hearted powerhouse rockstar forever and ever”.
Theatre composer Andrew Lloyd Webber wrote: “The vaults of heaven will be ringing with rock. RIP Meatloaf.”
British vocalist Lorraine Crosby, who sang on I’d Do Anything For Love (But I Won’t Do That), told BBC News he was “a great man” who was “very generous with everything”.
The star was “larger than life” and “had a temper”, she said, but added: “He didn’t fall out with you for long. He’d say his bit, and then everything would be fine the next day.”
The Dallas-born singer was born Marvin Lee Aday but also known as Michael, and got his nickname when his dad said he looked as red as meat at birth, before a high school football coach added the “loaf”.
As well as the Bat Out Of Hell trilogy, he released a string of other albums in the late 1970s and 1980s, most notably notably Dead Ringer and Midnight at the Lost and Found.
In the 90s, I’d Do Anything For Love (But I Won’t Do That) was the UK’s best-selling single of 1993 and earned him a Grammy Award.
On screen, he played Eddie in 1975 musical film The Rocky Horror Picture Show, was bouncer Tiny in 1992’s Wayne’s World, and appeared opposite Brad Pitt as bodybuilder Robert Paulsen in 1999’s Fight Club.
Other friends and collaborators told stories of their time with Meat Loaf. Irish singer Imelda May recalled a boozy night out with him.
