Meat Loaf in tears at gig for last ever live show in London
Rocker puts on blistering last show in the capital
- Peter Gabriel: Back To Front Tour - October 21 - 25 2013 - Album: So
This isn't the first time Meat Loaf has staged a 'farewell tour', but his current Last At Bat tour seems to be his last, as last night he said a tearful goodbye to London after what was his last ever gig in the capital.
The 65-year-old paid a tearful tribute to his fans at the O2 Arena show for his Last At Bat Tour, and thanked them for sending Bat Out Of Hell back up the charts.
As he introduced power-ballad 'For Crying Out Loud' he said: "It's 2013 and Bat Out Of Hell came in at No.9. It tied its highest position what was March 1978.
"I have no explanation other than that you love that record with incredible passion. What that means is that this record doesn't belong to me, or Jimmy (songwriter Jim Steinman), it belongs to you... The flipside was that so many people hated that record with incredible passion."
As his emotions got the better of him and tears began to flow he added: "I just want to say to you thank you, thank you very, very much. I can't say what it means to see all of you here tonight. It's incredible."
The audience responded to his impassioned speech with a huge cheer, with the whole arena standing for the entirety of his set.
The first act of the show saw Meat Loaf performing a selection of his greatest hits, including 'Objects In The Rear View Mirror May Appear Closer Than They Are', 'Dead Ringer For Love' and 'Los Angeloser'.
Meat Loaf insists this will be his last tour
For the second act the retiring rocker played Bat Out Of Hell in its entirety, with a giant inflatable bat being lowered down above the band at one point.
For his encore he performed his biggest hit 'I Would Do Anything For Love (But I Won't Do That)' and 'Boneyard', which transformed into Lynyrd Skynyrd's 'Free Bird' for a while.
Before leaving the stage for the final time he and lead female vocalist Patti Russo fired t-shirts into the crowd from penis-shaped cannons.
Meat Loaf has repeatedly assured that the Last At Bat Tour will be his last as he doesn't want travel anymore, saying life on the road has taken its toil on his body.
The next stop is the LG Arena in Birmingham on Friday (April 12). It will then continue around the UK next week before heading to Europe.
Below: Played in full, Meat Loaf and more - bands playing classic albums in their entirety
