What happens after Meat retires?
 

As much as some may not want to acknowledge it Meat realistically doesn't have many more years left. What will happen after he hangs up the red scarf? Meat's got an amazing back catalogue of songs and I really can't see most of them being sung by anyone else, so what about Meat Loaf Idol or something similar? A show where Meat seeks out a successor to carry on flying the flag? Or even just Meat handing over the reins to a younger model? Obviously there are plenty of flaws with this idea, but I thought I'd put it out there. :shrug:

I don't know about Meat but I know that my plans for his retirement are to get rid of my rather impress Meat Loaf debts!! (I say that because I know it won't be done before then!!)

I'm not sure I like that idea. There IS only one Meat Loaf and it wouldn't be right to find a successor for him.

I'm not going to worry about what happens when Meat retires, I'd sooner enjoy the present and worry about the future when it happens. :D

Wario will write a Meat Loaf biography, full of more or less credible facts about certain recordings, promote it by a crazy video on YouTube (starring himself, of course), and infil... er... apply for jobs at Meat Loaf's (ex) record labels :sneaky: in order to pursue his plan of pushing a special ultimate super-duper box set onto the market.

:twisted: He'll kick back and relax? :shrug:

Trib acts might become a bit more popular, but as for a successor, I don't know about that.

I've certainly never heard of an artist doing anything like that, and i'm not sure how it would work.

For one thing, only a tribute who is happy being a tribute (someone who completley acknowledges Meat as their performing superior and is happy with that) would be interesting in walking in another mans shoes.
Somebody who sees themselves as a creative artist would want to do their own thing rather than be a human sequel?
Who else would want to be (not a dig at Steve S ;)) Meat Loaf 2?

Even in the case of Meat finding somebody suitable, all Meat could give that person is advice and an endorcement.

Meat is pretty unique and it would be impossible to find somebody with his voice, his stagecraft and presence, and his gift for adlibing, who delivers the songs the same way he does.

Still, I think it'll be a while till we have to worry about it as Meat seems to be keeping himself busy enough 8)

"dont worry 'bout the future, sooner or later it's the past"

When has Meat ever done things the conventional way?

Neither am I.

Who says a Meat Loaf II couldn't add their own twist to things?

For heaven's sake, Meat's still bringing out albums! And I don't intend to do his retirement planning for him :!: . nor anticipate or predict it.

Meat is still full of energy, creativity, zest .. and I shall enjoy that for the years he continues to apply this to rock music, then I shall still have his albums and continue to follow his career as an actor.

As to seeking some kind of successor/mimic .. Meat is Meat; iconic, unique and irreplaceable. There are many tribute singers around, many very good at what they do I'm sure. I never go to see them as there simply is no substitute for Meat as far as I'm concerned; most copy what he initiated. But Meat is more than a voice and a set of movements .. he is a creative, passionate man with a unique talent, a lifetime of stagecraft, brilliant humour and an amazing personality. It's everything about the man who creates Meat Loaf on stage that makes me want to go and see the show.

One day there will be no more shows to go to. It will be a sad day, but I will have many wonderful memories of a brilliant ride for many, many years, will still have the music, and God willing still have Meat's acting to enjoy. Meanwhile I shall enjoy all that he creates and gives ..

To quote Browning "Grow old along with me! The best is yet to be .." HCTB was superb, so is HIAH as far as I'm concerned. We're still getting the best. That's enough for me, and I will continue to treasure it, and look forward to more Meat Loaf.

Caryl

:twisted: Don't make me add a poll :p

i am interested in this meat loaf idol.....

There is no need for a musical artist to ever fully retire unless they are physically not able or don't want tarnish their past with below average performances.

Meat may have lost a step or two but he still sounds great. He may heavily cut down the shows that he plays but I see no reason for him to stop releasing music, especially with modern technology.

I think we'll be hearing from ML for awhile yet.

It's not mime-idol wario

I agree

Meat will still be going in hes 70,s,, not so much touring, but still doing movies and the odd album. i really dont see him retiring.

It's hard to know what the future will bring to be honest. Meat could keep performing on stage until the day he dies. He's such an established artist, and globally famous that he'll always have thousands of people coming through the venue doors or gates to see him perform. He may tone it down a little bit, and in my opinion will conserve himself a lot more if he was to keep doing live shows for years more. When you get older, you can't do it as full on as you did 30 years ago. Your health always should be the priority.

I'm good at miming

Yes please

Nowt wrong with tribute acts!! ;)

Perfect.

This could be a stumbling block.

No way I'm proof reading it

Is your opinion of Meat so low that you honestly think anyone could replace him?

Nobody can replace Meat for the same reason nobody can replace Stones, Who etc

Can't you take a week off work?

I agree. If Meat can find a label I think he may still put out the occasional album if he wants to. I think he will slow way down on the touring - which is not a problem for me since he never plays within reasonable distance of me anyway, not since '96. I think Meat will definitely do a bunch of acting as he slows down on the music side, he may even get an Oscar to go with his Grammy. Given the right part I know he can definitely do that. I hope he gets more "A" level movies that get widely seen so he can get the recognition his acting deserves.

I'm going to go and eat at his restaurant, that's what!

On the way I will listen to his music and thank God he made it.

Amen.

I thank Odin every day for giving us Meat.

Sad thing is, when Meat retires (or worse) then no one will be singing Steinman's songs ... Meat pretty much is the last man standing who brings them to the mass audience.

So yeah, Bat Out Of Hell Idol, with Meat, Jim, Karla and Todd as judges. Its either that or rely on the Bat Musical to keep the flame alive...

I guess you're deliberately excluding Tanz der Vampire when you say "mass audience", but of course that plays pretty much every night in at least one theatre, and has done for many years, so without doing the maths I think that probably more people have seen that in the last few years than have seen Meat performing. Totally different experience of course, but at least it will probably still be playing long after Meat hangs up his musical boots.

Yeah, I've been waiting for visible progress on that for a while .... :tumble:

I don't fully agree with you here Paul. Steinman's songs are being played everyday on the radio, in nightclubs, theatres across the world. Meat Loaf wasn't the only singer to sing Steinman songs, so I don't agree that no one will be singing Steinman songs when he retires. It's who's daring and brave enough to sing probaly the most vocally demanding songs ever written? Meat doesn't do those songs any justice live these days anyway in my opinion, and to be honest struggles to get them across with the power and intensity like he did in the past. But what are the chances of Steinman going out and finding a talented young artist, recording a new album, and getting them to take over the helm when the Loaf retires? No chance. Steinman has his money well made, with outstanding accomplishments to back it all up. He's in semi-retirement the last few years, and if/when the Bat Musical comes out that'll probaly be his last hurrah. We won't get any more new Steinman songs; only the ones we already have.

i think some one like meat loaf will neaver ever retire cause if he dose . his music is the best rock music going and will be played worldwide it being on radio stations ,at weddings birthday partys backing music at events . when he retires i think he will still have a music carrer it being producing,working with upcoming artists or doing voice overs or doing childrens books. meat loaf will always be busy no matter what

I can't really add anything to this, I think Caryl pretty much said it all. Meat still has quite a few years left in him both in the music and with acting, so I think its a bit premature to start planning a retirement party. When he does retire, we will always have all the albums and the live material, hell we may even get additional old live material released. Plus I have many great memories from concerts that I'll never forget.

And if he decides to open that sports bar he has been talking, then I will probably go try it out.

:twisted: Apparently Jesus has booked tickets for opening night :p

That's your opinion, and you are entitled to it, but many on the forum would disagree.
He may sing them different to how he used to, but there's a big difference between "singing different" and "not doing justice" :shrug:



He's 60 odd and singing the toughest songs on the block.
Not many people would find that easy, but from the performance I saw on the last tour it wasn't more than Meat could handle.
Did you get to see him on the last tour Steve?
There was no lack of power :lol:


But to be fair the thread (for those who are inclined to discuss the idea :shrug: ) is about what will Meat will do when he hangs up his mic, not wether Meat has still got it or not.

That path leads to the dark side :bleh: and is not going to keep the thread open very long, so back on topic please :up:

I find this topic interesting, but I'm also going to also question whether it's necessary, and I'll explain it as follows.

People have to remember Meat is in the entertainment business. He's not playing in the NFL or NHL, where retirement is inevitable once you get into your mid 30s (well that's hows it is for rugby players, soccer players, and GAA players :D unless you get a serious injury during your career) But as a musician and actor, he could be 100 and still doing what he loves, and be busy. Meat doesn't have to be doing live concerts in huge arenas to continue entertaining people musically. If you wanted him to take on a lighter work load, then couldn't he always go on tour and do something like Storytellers, or act in musicals again? Wouldn't be as physically draining, but could still be just as popular and entertaining all the same.

There seems to be an "inevitable doom", for Meat in this thread, and I deem a little bit too premature, especially when you look at the bigger picture.

I'll only say this Meat is 64 years young and he can still entertain audiences, like no one else ! When he performs or makes an album every song, only he can bring it as a story, he puts his emotion and effort in it, it shows! Even if he would be 90 years old he could still do that !!! And another thing, Meat is irreplaceable !!!!!!

I assume your life expectancy must exceed mine.

If that is "semi-retirement" I'd hate to see full retirement - must resemble rigor mortis.

I'll say this though, I really hope Meat doesn't do a Steinman, and go into isolation for years and do nothing, and create nothing new. Meat should always keep one foot in the door, and not neglect his profession compeletely, even if he only does minor projects.

Exactly :-)

Caryl

In terms of bums on seats at shows I guess you're right, but in terms of media interest and public profile then Meat wins hands down.

But he was by far the best, and sang more, for longer, than anyone else.

Seriously? Have you any idea what it's like being cast in a decent musical? Arguably more work, harder, more consistent than touring in a fully fledged rock band. I've seen people destroyed by theatre. Vocally and mentally. It's a tough gig. Unless you're 25. Even then, it's a tough gig.

Well he has always told us to never, ever stop rockin', so one would assume he will not stop either.

I agree with you. In musicals, don't they do about 8 shows a week (and 2 shows a day on certain days)? That would be exhausting.

i hope he does whatever makes him happy

Hear Hear! Personally, I cannot wait until retirement age so I can throw away the alarm clock. Only snag is that I am approximately just half way through my shift!
Meat owes us absolutely zilch. Except maybe just one more tour?
And then we can all live happily ever after.

And Meat LOVES his creative work, so may think very differently. When has he even mentioned retiring? He is working on his newest album, talking about the next ones. And he is about more than going on tour.

It's not about him "owing" anybody anything or not. What creative work he does, what he may move out of and into, is something that's down to him, his motivations, his incredible drive, and what he loves to do.

He has said he'll like Take Me Out To The Ball Park played at his funeral .. and God willing that's many, many years away. What he does between now and then is entirely up to him, and imo he'll do what he loves, what moves him, what grows him, what makes him the vital young-at-heart man he is .. and speculating about his "retirement" or giving him "permission" to make his own choices and decisions seems to me to be totally bizarre, just as is discussing who might fill his shoes which to me seems to smack of putting him out to grass when he shows no evidence of being anything but still energetic, creative, enthusiastic, and doing what he's loves to do.

Caryl

completely unrelated to anything in this thread apart from that one line, lol, ironically enough it was a 1995 interview for the then new album, and meat said he fought with the record company, and he wasn't going to put a hell in the title unless it was him and jim, they wanted to call it escape from hell , and meat said he'd retire if they did... i'm paraphrasing of course

but alot of time has passed since then, and we should be grateful for any treasures we have received :-)