Aww, Meat Loaf!

Marvin Aday, aka Meat Loaf, the actor and singer who paired for years with Jim Steinman to create operatic pop hits like “Paradise by the Dashboard Light” and “I’d Do Anything for Love (But I Won’t Do That),” has died at 74.

I can’t say I was his biggest fan either way — I wished him well! — but he’ll always have a warm space in my heart, because he was the first interview I ever did, while working at Boston University’s Daily Free Press (the feature insert was The Muse) as a sophomore who didn’t really know anything.

The story I’ve told for years when people ask about my first interview is this: I was told to call a number. I was told it was his mom’s house in Connecticut. Why was the rocker at his mom’s? As a kid, I remember thinking how un-rock ‘n roll that was. But you know, it’s all still posing at that age. Now I think it’s charming. Anyway, I called the number and not until it was ringing did I think, “What if his mom picks up? Is she Mrs. Loaf? Who do I ask for? Marvin? Meat Loaf? Meat?”

Fortunately, he picked up and was lovely. Rest in peace, big guy.

Here’s my article, for better or worse.

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