Bat Out of Hell The Concert
 

https://batoutofhellconcert.com/home

Soooo....This is a thing.

Very strange....basically a high profile tribute act.

Peat Loaf must be getting worried.

Is he touring the US and UK?

No idea, we only have the site to go by so far.
Time will tell.

I know we don't have a lot to go on, but I wonder if this is going the same way as Queen did, by creating The Queen Experience to be an officially sanctioned tribute act.

What's the password?

The password is a new thing, from what I understand. There used to be a fuller site yesterday with official links to Meat merch (fuller only in the sense that it wasn't password-protected and actually had something on it, namely a banner ad for Meat merch). The gist of things is that Caleb Johnson, the bloke from American Idol a few years back that everybody thought looked like Meat, is apparently going on the road with the Neverland Express performing Bat I. Per the text in the preview when one shares the link on Facebook, apparently they were purporting it had official sanction from Meat. But after the site started getting some attention, what little was there got pulled, except for a sample track of "Bat" that loads beneath the password prompt which one can play without needing to enter anything.

(My opinion? Caleb sounds terrific, but the band is a little pants. I'm willing to bet the promo track isn't the NLE, but I could be wrong.)

In short: even those who know what was up have as much clue as you do.

There was about 6 US dates booked.

Meat is going to be the master of ceremonies by the sound of things and may tell a few stories.

Paul Crook is confirmed as part of the NLE. Not sure about the other old members of the NLE?

I wonder how the producers of the Bat musical feel about this.

https://mpitalentagency.com/artist/b...caleb-johnson/

https://webcache.googleusercontent.c...&ct=clnk&gl=uk

Tweet above was deleted, but found cached version!

...the whole Twitter account gone? Holy hell. The plot thickens!

As fan of Meat Loaf and his music beyond Bat, the funny thing I always thought was the most interesting aspect of seeing "good" tributes in the past was when they did songs Meat hardly performed himself or were long out of his setlists. Such as hearing Couldn't have said it better again and unperformed gems such as What About Love?

I did hear the Bat out of hell track (whilst it was up on the above mentioned site and appears now pulled?) with what I presume is this Caleb malarky guy. It sounded pretty good and the voice better than most tributes and probably the musical stuff I've heard going around recently.

Guess we will see if anything comes of this. It's probably more up my street rather than the musical but it still ain't going to be Meat, really.

Throw in the full 12 minute Going all the way in the live set first and then we can talk about dates I'd say....

Just buying or even listening to another Bat recording with another singer? I really don't see the point at all. I'd rather stick on one of my dozen Meat Loaf copies on CD, vinyl or live recordings etc.

Going from memory, it had listed as part of the band; Paul Crook, John Miceli, Randy Flowers, Dave Luther, Justin Avery, Cian Coey, Danny Miranda, Steve Buslowe, Pat Thrall and Lyssa Lynne. Certain members would be rotated in and out. Not all members would be performing all shows is what it said before everything mysteriously disappeared.

Presumably they will want to bring this to the UK where the real money is to be had. Can't see it selling out arenas, so be interesting what sort of venues they target.

It will surely be marketed as Meat Loaf and Caleb Johnson to sell tickets.

I reckon under that banner they could sell a whole tour of 1000-2000 seat theatre venues or a shorter tour with 2000-4000 capacity O2 Academy venues across the UK. I'd prefer the latter so you can stand but it probably wouldn't suit the now somewhat ageing Meat Loaf audience. :twisted:

Theatre venues wouldn't be so bad but they would have to do a whole whack of them to make it worth while. 6 shows sounds pathetic. Make it 60 over here in the UK at least.

But indeed as has been pointed out, perhaps this needs to wait till the musical is gone?

This concept appeals to me much more than the Bat musical does. I imagine it would be strange for Meat Loaf to just compere though. Somewhat akin to watching my wife have sex with a younger man, while telling stories of how we first met. :shock:

I think you've got a true point there. On the other hand, if Meat can arrange with it, it could be a real opportunity to pass on the torch and ensure the legacy. Caleb really has the guts, although he sounds nothing like Meat.

For the record she said that it was quick, and at the back of a portaloo.

Amazing news. I can totally see this working if the real NLE isn't too expensive. They could always add more songs. If Meat is in favor of this go for it. Continue the legacy. Caleb is from NC not too far from several nice venues, I hope they start there instead of the usual NY, NJ, PA. Play to the hometown crowd and get some video and publicity going.

It'd be nice if old wounds and mistakes had healed and forgiven and they could get Patti Russo back in the band and perhaps even give her some solo parts. But I guess that's not going to happen.

And now the entire site is gone. Well, that was short-lived. If I had to wager a guess, I'd say the producers of the Bat musical said, "...excuse me?"

Possibly since Meat has a small stake in the musical. However having an officially sanctioned "Meat Loaf presents" show with members of Meat's band and another lead singer should not be an issue unless there is some "non-compete" which I can not see anyone saying this would be a "musical" as opposed to a "concert". There are so many poor unsanctioned "tributes" out there it would be nice to have a top quality show overseen by Meat himself.

Are we facing another Steinman vs Meat Loaf lawsuit?

Site is back as backoutofhell.com

But content password protected

Well, all I have to say (admittedly with sour grapes) is this: given the choice between a musical that incidentally includes Meat Loaf songs, and a Meat Loaf show sanctioned by and starring Meat Loaf, I know what I would buy tickets to. The fans of the showmanship get the showmanship, the nitpickers about vocal quality (hopefully) get a singer they deem worthy of their impossibly high standards, the use of the original Neverland Express -- even on a rotating basis -- preserves the integrity of the live show... I'm just sayin'... at least until Meat gets well enough to fully carry the show, this is the next best thing.

I would actually love to see both, because a musical is a totally different beast. I always imagined a Bat musical should look like this, with the Mad Max meets Peter Pan look. On the other hand, a real rock show with a guy like Caleb is the other thing I always wished for. It is like two dreams came true at once.

Categorically 'no'.

Further: I have NO idea about this show. All I can say is that -- I would LOVE to see it.

To me it's too much like watching Picasso, watching some painter, using Picasso's tools to paint one of Picasso's paintings...

You can use the master's tools, you can copy the master's paintings, but it will never be a real Picasso

In other words, a waste of time and money.

https://mpitalentagency.com/artist/b...caleb-johnson/

Posted this on page one, but now has info added.

It's a tricky one. I can see this from both points of view.

It's a bit like Queen, well just Brian May and Roger Taylor now, who continued on with the name with different singers.
I had a ticket to go to one of the Wembley shows some years back but actually didn't go in the end as towards the concert date I was quite "meh" about it.

A large part of me wishes Brian May had continued on his own. I saw him live 20 years ago and he was excellent on his own with his own songs, own band and some Queen stuff thrown in. He disappeared for a while and then pretty much only has done stuff for the continued Queen saga and some badger culling awareness malarky from what I've seen. Pretty much never consistently trying to be his own artist which I think he was and could have been/stayed. Even some of Roger Taylor post 1991 solo stuff was decent I thought. Terrible singer but still decent music. I also always think the singing doesn't necessarily matter too much as long as you bring something original and from your own soul. Like Dire Straits or Bob Dylan, again terrible singers mostly but they draw/drew crowds of worshippers because they consistently churned out great music and songs.

But I get there is a demand to continue in the same spirit with Queen or Meat Loaf for that matter, even if that spirit is never going to be the real genuine thing.

No idea if this is a good idea or whether they should just let sleeping dogs lie or what.

:shrug:

Some people will enjoy this, and some won't. Personally, it's not something I'd go for, but I wouldn't take away from the folk who'll enjoy it by saying it shouldn't happen. Nothing is to everybody's taste.

New twitter accounts set up, but nowt tweeted yet -


https://twitter.com/paulcrookmecom1

https://twitter.com/BackOutOfHell

In the words of -- among others -- Monty Python's Life of Brian, there's just no pleasing some people. :roll:

I often hear talk of 'passing on the torch', and I don't see any need. There's only one Meat Loaf, and only ever going to be. There was only one Elvis, Sinatra, Nat King Cole. Does that mean that nobody else can ever cover their tunes? of course not. And does it mean that people who enjoyed their music will never enjoy anyone else's? Of course not, thank God. If the day comes when Meat stops recording and performing, there's no need for anyone to continue doing so for him, a la a new James Bond. Somebody one day may capture some of his spirit and his fire, but it can't be forced. Meat was (is) an original, as all the great talents are. Anything else would just be a tribute act, or a piece of theatre - however enjoyable.

Innnnteresting.
It seems that they changed the naming to 'Back out of Hell'.

Well then, I guess we'll have to keep watch.

After reading some of the replies and analogies above, all I can say is that thank F.C.U.K. the same isn't true for Wagner, Mozart, Vivaldi, Bach, Chopin, Brahms, Tchaikovsky, and Handel.

Supposition, admittedly, from the MPI Talent Agency website, but their (as-yet-not-password-locked, though they claim to be) riders and equipment rental list suggest, unless of course the paperwork is just a sample or (of course) subject to change, the NLE on the first go-round will consist of Paul Crook, Steve Buslowe, Randy Flowers, Justin Avery, John Miceli, and Cian Coey.

(My guess, which again is only a guess and based on a document that is no doubt subject to change, is that Pat Thrall, Danny Miranda, Tom Brislin, and Lyssa Lynne are on call as "subs," and that David Luther's involvement is either still being worked out, or he's "in" on an as-needed basis.)

Aside from people who are mainly based in other countries not being involved in the revolving line-up for that obvious reason, it's odd, and perhaps telling, that some of the artists from Meat's two best-known eras (names like Alexander, Jacobs, Kulick -- either of them, Russo, or Sulton) are decidedly not present. (Possibly not on the table or even up for discussion? I'd hate to think things ended so badly that even a tour not directly involving Meat is out of reach, especially when said tour is touting itself on the "original" band and "original" sound, and these people worked with him for so long you'd think they have some clue what it is...)

I am keeping my mind open. I don't know how this will sell ticket-wise. But if it is going to be done I'd rather see something Meat has quality control over and top notch musicians who have played in the NLE than to see some fat guy with a bar band doing a "tribute" act. If Meat is involved I feel certain he will make sure it is worth a try, his role is why I am open to this.

Well, we know they're reading this forum. The files are now properly password-locked. :-P Glad I learned what I could when I did!

While I still remember, some other things I learned: the name of Paul Crook's company was all over the legal disclaimers in the riders, so at least per the paperwork, Paul is definitely involved (maybe this was even his brainchild?).

Well, thinking of tribute acts like ~~~~~~~~~~, a fat, ignorant dork who actually hated Meat and went to the yellow press when Meat was not amused by bis behavior, this could be real fun.

His voice isn't bad, lacks feeling but that could also be because the backing track sounds like something you would here at karaoke

Well I mean, Paul's on the Forum...And others, so that's not surprising. PS. MetalLoaf, if you're listening: Thank you for putting this together. An awesome way to keep the NLE performing long term, keep your and Meat's vision and art alive as a living beast, and giving something meaningful to us fans. I can't wait to see your show.

I think this is a nice way to continue the Meat Loaf legacy outside of the musical which may not be some people's cup of tea but from a personal point of view I'm not sure if it's something I'd be in a rush to see. I imagine I'd always be thinking that there was something missing when compared to the original experience of hearing those songs, performed by Meat Loaf himself.

I was surprised to see a mention of the show in the press today (UK). It wasn't the best story, but it does at least spin some publicity I would hope (shame they took the announcement and reveal out of Meat's hands though).

I felt the Guardian article was better than The Sun- but thats not surprising. I have no idea if this is the best or worst idea, I'd admire him for doing something different, but there is an underlining sadness to it all.

https://www.theguardian.com/music/sh...-caleb-johnson

I personally rather have a "Meat Loaf presents The NOT Bat out of Hell Tour". Have Caleb sing everything from Meat's repertoire that wasn't on the Bat out of Hell albums and Meat tell stories about all those songs and recording sessions so I can learn and hear something new :devil:. and YES that then could include live renditions from the unheard good songs from Braver and the Dead Ringer album that were hardly performed ("I'll Kill you.." / "More than you deserve") and so much other stuff ("Surf's Up" / "Did I say That" etc...)

Back out of hell tour?

I absolutely love that title!!

Very apt and very witty

This is going to be very interesting. Especially the set-lists which presumably not limited to Bat 1 will have some variety. I don't recall this format being done before so it is groundbreaking for certain. They could throw in a meet and greet with a comfortably seated Meat to help draw more fans who may not know Caleb or what they are going to. I just hope this thing won't be limited to the Northeast and casinos and maybe Florida like so many have been. Meat and the NLE were excellent at DPAC in Durham NC a few years back which was his first NC appearance since the WTTN tour.

I wonder if Meat will sing _at all_ during the tour. A song or two here and there. I have a feeling that he won't be able to stay away from the mic for a song or two per night VS an entire show. Its just not in him, I reckon.

We'll see. I'm VERY excited to see where this goes.

Great news. Just when you think it's over Meat comes back again.

Wonder if it will be like a Storytellers tour set in theatres or will Meat try to target arenas in the UK?

I'm looking forward to this show. It's something that I know nothing about, which makes a refreshing change. I'm kinda hoping that it's an intimate theatre tour (but I'll take anything!!).

More Meat is always a good thing.
I also can't imagine him staying off mic for the entire thing. He'll probably surprise a few audiences when he feels up to it.

I hope he can manage part of a song acoustically or something in between the story telling. Shame Patti isnt involved.

I understand from someone promoting this in the UK we can expect a "teaser" to be released on the 20th July, then all the dates will be announced on the 25th July. I asked about venues and was told they'd prefer for people to wait for the full announcement on the format and venues. (I'm expecting the NLE and Caleb only on this tour).

They just need to very, very clear on Meat's role - if any at all beyond being a producer. Some of the public and most critics are rather dense. On dates Meat appears at (if any) his role as far as singing or not should be clear. At most I see him appearing during an encore as part of the whole ensemble if his health allows.

I also agree with those who say Patti Russo is really going to be missed. She has the experience with Meat's songs as well as her work with Queen.

For sure. It's my understanding that for the UK tour they will make it clear.

I don't think he was ever planning to sing on the US shows, but rather to tell stories between songs, rather like at Vegas and in Storytellers' style. Whether he will carry that through will imo depend on how well he has recovered from his surgery .. but I wouldn't honestly see him trailing around the US on a tour at which he just appeared at the end.

I never got the impression that he planned to sing, nor even appear at all - if any - of the shows. Though I know that people (and the media) will just assume so.

A couple of the articles I saw implied he would be there to talk about things like working with Jim Steinman. He may be at some and not others. The goal seems to be a Vegas residency, if that should happen he may sometimes appear if he is feeling well. I really don't think he will sing anything maybe a line or so in a story if that.

I'd think that when he and Paul were conceiving this Meat was thinking in terms of being a part of the show, not singing but telling stories about working with Jim, touring etc (remember he also had in his mind to write a book of stories "One Hundred Moments") .. like Durante, he has a million of 'em ;) .. and he loves to interact with a live audience. The jumping-the-gun website referred to him being part of the show in that way, as do the recent press teasers.

What's thrown a spanner in the works is the extent of his back surgery, and lengthier and harder rehabilitation than I think he'd hoped for :( I can see the appeal of a residency ... he could take an apartment, travel a short distance to and from the venue on show days, and cut out all the stress and strain of hauling ass from place to place. But I think if he was part of the show it would need to be a constant throughout the residency (or indeed any tour in the US). People need to know what they're buying tickets for after all.

He's doing this Comic Con thing in London at the end of this month because he made the commitment a long time ago, but that's an uncomfortable pond crossing and three days sitting and meeting fans. I really don't expect him to be touring in the UK this year .. they're announcing details around the time he's here, and at this stage in his recovery it would be really chancing things imo. Whether or not he'll be able at some point down the line to be an active part of the show is in the lap of the gods .. and so very disappointing and frustrating for him :(

I've long thought that Meat could do a stage show just of telling his stories (kind of 'an evening with' format), but I guess there wouldn't be anywhere near as much commercial sense in such a venture as there would in concerts. So I guess this is - in a very small way - a cross between the two. At least, in the shows that he appears at. For the rest, maybe it'll be pre-recorded - like the interview footage for the 2013 tour.

Hang on a minute.....Meat won't even be at the shows? What exactly is the point of these shows then?

Nobody in Britain has heard of Caleb Johnson. He doesn't sound anything like Meat. With all due respect to Paul Crook, Randy Flowers, Jon Miceli et al nobody apart from the hardcore Meat fans have heard of them. Its basically a dodgy tribute act with somebody who doesn't sound like Meat Loaf.

Although Caleb Johnson may be seen as a Z lister in US I doubt there is much appetite for this to sell out US theatres without Meat's involvement.

Ticket sales will be terrible if Meat isn't attending.

I don't think anyone ever has or does or will do, no matter how good tribute artists are or a replacement singer would be.

But Axl Rose doesn't sound anything like Brian Johnson. Adam Lambert doesn't sound anything like Freddie Mercury.

You can still have a good time I suspect but you'd have to set your expectations accordingly I reckon and that could be a sticking point of how to sell this / market the show.

With Queen and ACDC continuing I understand perhaps some of the rationale behind what is being attempted here.
I'd be interested to give this a go but I think it should be a high speed show in the spirit of what Meat used to do himself rather than a stop start thing with stories in between. I just can't see that suiting this type of music. I was never swayed with coming out to see the Vegas shows. I also hated when I saw some of the British tribute artists who did a great job with doing Meat's music doing all sorts of comedic breaks and talking crap between songs.

I think the original concept was that he would be, but I understand that for the tour in the UK this will not be the case. I think the point in the UK would be that it's a rock show, featuring Steinman songs, and featuring the NLE, factors that tick a lot of boxes and would engage many, but probably not to fill arenas like the O2 at this stage.

I like to see the menu before I order a meal, even before I enter the restaurant. By the end of this month that will be in the window :-)

I did go to see the Vegas residencies, and it worked very well indeed, just as did Storytellers (which I always considered up with the best of Meat's tours in that it showcased his full range of talents), but those were definitely theatre rather than arena shows, with the intimacy that a theatre brings. And despite the breaks, the songs were delivered with all the usual intensity, speed and over-the-top showmanship that made them as exciting as any of his UK arena shows.

In the US Meat has tended to perform in theatres anyway. If he were able to tell the stories in the US while Caleb sang the songs .. would I miss Meat delivering them? Of course. But I'd still love to see a show where he was on stage as raconteur and comedian :-) And I'd still love to see Paul and the NLE delivering their exceptional take on Steinman's music.

But here you will get your wish for a high speed show in the spirit of what Meat used to do .. it will however be the vegetarian option ;)

I don't watch American Idol and haven't listened to Caleb. But if there's a show in my area (and the timing is ok), I would probably go just out of curiosity :-)

I mean absolutely no disrespect against Meat, and would honestly love to see him again and listen to his stories. However, at this point I would much rather have him not do the shows if doing so would cause him problems with his recovery ... as frustrating as it must be for him, his health comes first. He needs to think about the future and take the time he needs to make sure he's 100% again.

The promoter for the UK has now posted in more than one FB group. (I think he's picked on groups with large numbers registered as members .. not realising that numbers don't always equal live interaction in Meat's on-line community ;) ) Essentially the message is that they want to make clear that Meat will not be appearing personally at any of the shows in the UK.

All the news stories reference the Sun article which was the first publication to run the story, and that article didn't really have any solid facts in it, just hearsay from a 'source close to the band'.

There will be an announcement on 25 July with dates and venues for the tour which will feature the brilliant NLE , playing Steinman songs, delivered by Caleb Johnson.

How many venues are we likely to see Caryl? And what sort of venues...theatres, arenas?

I really can't imagine many people care for this. Unlike Andrew's beliefs, I don't think you can compare the NLE to Queen, or AC/DC as those are real bands. The NLE is Meat's backing band with passing-through members. Some we liked more than others. But still.

So basically now you get a backing band with some contest winner doing a Bat tribute. It's nothing like experiencing the real deal. In fact, I am a real Patti fan. In Stuttgart 2013 Patti did Dead Ringer on her own after Meat left the stage. The vibe was even then, inmediately, less entertaining.

Compared to my earlier comment about Picasso watching etc... Well Picasso is out of the picture. Enjoy!

But these aren't REAL bands you are pointing out if you look deeper at what has gone on and how often things have changed. ACDC is only really Angus Young. Queen are only Brian May and Roger Taylor. Both bands have gone through multiple iterations of replacing bandmembers beyond the very few that have stayed put and stayed alive.
Sure Meat Loaf is a singer and is always different but I still understand what they are trying. If Angus Young steps in front of a bus tomorrow I still suspect you'd see ACDC somewhere, sometime. If Brian May gets abducted by aliens there still will be Queen at some point I bet. If Roger Taylor falls down the stairs carrying his drumkit I bet May would continue with the Queen name too. If both disappear, Adam Lambert I bet still will continue with the Queen name somehow at some point.

That doesn't mean to say you need to like it or agree with it as the circumstances are of course a bit different. The Queen comparison makes sense since Adam Lambert was also an American Idol contestant. That doesn't make him Freddie as much as Caleb is not a Meat Loaf.

It was actually interesting when I was growing up in The Netherlands in the 90s many youngsters in those days often thought Meat Loaf in fact WAS a band. A cousin I have at the time thought Meat was married to Dana Patrick. The misinformation was fun to hear but I think does highlight that sometimes artists can use and I'm sure have used that type of ignorance to continue with stuff. I'm sure many don't know who the original ACDC bandmembers were and many probably don't care when they hear the hits performed well.

Jim Steinman's recycling of stuff I'm sure also doesn't matter to a large part of the audience who have enjoyed Meat Loaf's Rock N Roll Dreams and Celine Dion's It's all coming back and thus not giving a damn about the original renditions which often was superior.

I thought Patti was good with Spike Edney's band. Without them, not so much it appeared. Even with Spike's band she couldn't really draw a crowd beyond London. I guess that's what Brian May and Roger Taylor also had to endure and hence they decided to just continue with Queen. They were playing very small venues after their mid 1990s solo successes mostly.

I will be interested to see how it will pan out. I can't imagine it being that successful without Meat but who knows. It might just be one 10 date tour or so and you might never have to hear about it ever again. Or it could grow into something that lasts longer and gets its own legs beyond just the nostalgia factor.

It definitely won't be as good as the glory days of the 90s and early 2000s and flashes of brilliance since then we had from Meat. Impossible.
True. And the last time Meat performed in the UK and the Netherlands was 5 (!) years ago. He's been out of the picture quite a long time now. Time goes fast. ;)

No harm in trying is my reaction. I would like a chance to see the results but it probably isn't likely. I can see them doing small theaters and drawing a couple hundred but I doubt it will pay the bills. This is a long shot. I can not think of another singer who authorized his own "tribute" (I hate that term) band. But as I said before at least it isn't some bar band with a fat guy pretending to be Meat Loaf. At least there is "quality control" for lack of a better term and maybe now we can get better sound mixes than in recent years. They definitely need to record this.

I honestly don't know. My guess would be theatres rather than arenas, if only because whilst booking the Meat tours must have been a quantifiable to estimate, this is new, without Meat, and Caleb a largely unknown quantity in the UK. But that is really just my guess, not a hint. The promoters (I believe VMS Live) have some track record in organising outdoor events, but given they're not announcing dates until the end of July, I woudn't have thought outdoor would be a good choice here ;) So, I'd guess theatres, or smaller arenas if that was the way they went. We'll know in a couple of weeks :-)

I agree with Andrew that it won't to us be as the glory days we had with Meat, and I'm sure they'll be depending fairly heavily on the nostalgia feeling to begin with. But the NLE are a really great band imo, and Caleb a very able singer of Steinman. Given the appeal of Steinman's music I think there's every possibility that it can grow legs and build an appeal with a new audience, carry the legacy into the future.

The Bat musical has been enormously successful, and is building its own new cult audience. No reason why this new venture should not be able to do the same, particularly here, where so many fans identify with and follow the band as well as Meat. Not likely to fill the O2 as yet .. but no reason why it should not build a solid following.

I may be being blind as a bat, but can anyone provide a link to the posts from the promoter, as I can not find anything on fb or twitter, other than posts saying about the posts!

Maybe it's just me, but I really LIKE the idea of having Meat as the 'story teller' (for any of you old to remember the John Hurt/Jim Henson series of the same name), introducing anecdotal snapshots of his past that are dramatised before us. I think it's a really bold, exciting NEW idea.

I agree. I don't imagine for one minute they are trying to make a Meat Loaf tribute or replicate the great man himself. They are putting together a great band, a (presumably) great singer, and a great storyteller. What's not to like?

Yes it would be even more awesome if Meat was still able to belt them out and I wish he could. But I also wish I'd won the lottery, remain won the referendum, and that I had never seen Spectre. Point is, there's no point wishing things weren't as they are, just got to deal positively with reality.

You won't on FB unless you are a member of one of the fan groups the guy posted in, and find it tucked in a thread. (I think he may have just joined the two with numbers of members in the thousands, perhaps thinking membership numbers = active participation and thus importance/significance in the fan community. He may know rock 'n roll but have a helluva lot to learn about us ;) ). I picked up on it more by luck than judgement, checked it out with him, and passed it on here, because I don't like to see anyone thinking Meat will be appearing in the UK tour when this time he's not. I think support is built better on informed interest than disappointment.

Exactly .. and if in the future Meat is able to join the line-up as storyteller, we know he can kick that one out of the park :-)

Yes, and given Meat has always been someone bold, exciting, and inventive in visioning those rock and roll shows we have embraced for decades, if down the line he can do that? That one would get me reaching for my touring shoes and planning my tour itinerary!

In the meantime with, as Panic Lord says, a great band and singer ... who'll be delivering the music we all love .. What's not to like? :-)

Found it in the Mad about Meatloaf group, for those not members the post reads -

(Convo between Jeff Hall (UK Promoter) & Sandra Allender,

Jeff - There's been some misreporting of what the show is. Meat isn't going to be on the tour, it will be Meat's band The Neverland Express + Caleb Johnson, performing a straight up concert of Meat Loafs back catalogue. Of course there is no official announcement yet, just the rumours and mis-reported news stories. The 'teaser' UK announcement is pencilled for 20th July, with the dates announced on the 25th July.


Sandra - think you are completely wrong Meat told me a while back he would like to do something along these lines and I am sure he will tour with it I am not sure it will be a massive World Tour though. The whole ethos of the show is Meat Loaf presenting Paul Crook directing NLE playing and Caleb doing the singing. That is the impression Meat gave me he said he wanted to do something along the lines of storytellers/Rocktales. It seems to have been backed up on promoters website as well.

Jeff - Hi Sandra. I'm promoting the UK tour that announces later this month. There is no mention of Meat appearing at any of the shows, intact i was made clear of quite the opposite.

Sandra - When you say you are promoting the uk show who are you promoting on behalf of ....I am confused as no involvement from Meat is a way off what he said he was wanting to do.

Jeff - i am essentially the one hiring the band and then booking the venues and selling the tickets. Obviously it would be great if Meat was to be present and involved in the shows in person, however my understanding he will not be.

Sandra - So you are hiring NLE....lucky you they are a great bunch. I think if there is no involvement from Meat its appeal will diminish

Nah... the truth is I am hiring the band, representing Meat and telling Meat what he is having for dessert tomorrow whether he likes Salmon baked on top of a cheesecake mixed with a Happy Meal smoothie or not. I have decided to post in a random Facebook group what is going to happen, when and why.

:roll: :-P :twisted: :lol:

I personally think this is great news.
Of course, it is not the biggest thing (as it would be Meat really singing on stage)... But it is definitely SOMETHING! Definitely better than no upcoming events at all.

And don't forget. We probably got the NLE & the enchanting melodies & Caleb's voice is rocking!

It's not 100 % Meat. But it keeps his spirit alive.

I'm looking forward to it..

Well, as of this morning (East Coast American time), seems like backoutofhell.com is down and that the bio has been scrubbed yet again from the MPI agency's site, which now confusingly dubs the event "BAT Meat Loaf’s Neverland Express Featuring Caleb Johnson." (Possibly missing a : in there somewhere?)

Questions, questions...

I suspect plans have evolved. I can access the site but no information. I think they are still working on it, although I thought some information was due to be released fairly soon. I hope they do a real promo video and make it first class instead of rehearsal clips. Maybe even all or most of a song. People are going to have to want to hear and see what Caleb Johnson will do with the Meat Loaf material before shelling out much cash to take a chance on it. 90% of the public does not know who Caleb is.

Well, there was a full recording of "Bat" that could be heard on the page before the billing switched from Bat Out of Hell The Concert to Back Out of Hell. It sounded pretty solid.

Today is supposed to be an announcement, no?

Carly's contacts said an announcement would be made today????

Hopefully they put that back up. I'm interested in how they will sell this. Using Meat's name may get attention but people also may then expect he is to be there. Caleb Johnson's name will be largely unknown outside of American Idol fans. The NLE is an amazing world-class band but that name is best known to Meat Loaf fans. Getting this worded just right will help, but until I hear Caleb Johnson sing Meat Loaf songs would I pay $40-$50 to find out if it is good or not? Well I personally would, but speaking of people in general.

Things can change in show biz ;)

Hopefully we get to hear something soon

Yeah, hopefully we hear something soon, indeed!

The guy I spoke to said there would be an announcement of "all the dates" on 25th July .. we're not there yet ;)

Meat's due to be at the ComicCon 27-28 July, and is coming in some days ahead this week. My guess is they would have wanted to time their announcement to coincide with his being here in the UK?

Of course the guy also said some 'teaser' info would be out on the 20th ... so we must all have blinked and missed that one ;)

that might be this then

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AK7qPhkW4Xc

Well, I notice "Meat Loaf Presents" is gone now...

Teased 11 people ;)

Good lord, could they change the name of this thing any more?

All that billing about the "Neverland Band" is interesting as well. Funny that it seems to get further and further removed from the initial announcement as time goes on...

I have a feeling that perhaps when the idea was conceived Meat may have seen this as a way for him to continue to be on stage with the band he has built and loves so much .. but since then his back is proving more of an obstacle than he had hoped? If that were the case, I can understand the apparently constantly shifting information, where someone is trying to promote something that is also changing during the process.

Given it goes ahead, it seems clear that those we have come to love as the NLE would be working together on stage with Caleb Johnson, whatever they are called .. so, the same peerless playing of Steinman's brilliant songs, with a singer who has a good voice to deliver them imo, but without Meat's presence on stage in the foreseeable future. Still an interesting venture, and in my view streets ahead of the usual tribute bands, because you'll have the real deal band we've rocked to over the years, and a singer who isn't trying to BE Meat, but who has the range to do the songs justice.

I so agree with you.

Minor update: backoutofhell.com is now well and truly gone. Apparently the Bandzoogle account is dead.

Weird HOW this project is getting off the ground, IF it is getting off the ground at all, that is.