Classic Albums: Bat Out of Hell

Since its release in 1977 Bat Out Of Hell has gone on to sell an estimated 30 million copies and has become one of the top five biggest selling albums of all time. Released during the days of the disco boom and the advent of Punk Rock, Bat Out Of Hell totally bucked the musical trends of the day, yet as Meat Loaf recalls is more honest than 99% of all records released.

The remarkable story of Bat Out Of Hell is told here by its leading contributors including Meat Loaf himself, composer Jim Steinman, record producer Todd Rundgren, and backing vocalists Ellen Foley and Karla De Vito toghether with others who helped in the construction of Bat Out Of Hell’s “Wall of Sound”.

Steinman and Meat Loaf first met when Meat auditioned in New York for a role in a Steinman musical. On first seeing and hearing Meat Loaf, Steinman realised that he had foun dthe voice and the personality to front the project that would become Bat Out Of Hell. The route to securing a record deal wasn’t plain sailing as both Jim and Meat describe the audition process that led to them being rejected by dozen of labels who decided that Bat Out Of Hell was way too theatrical to have any chance of being a success.

Jim Steinman recalls how the Bat Out Of Hell project first came to fruition, and how a teenage obession of his to write the ultimate “car crash song” led to the creation of one of rock music’s most recognizable anthems. Record producer Todd Rundgren reveals how Bat Out Of Hell was viewed as damaged goods when it was eventually released, and how the music critics met it with indifference. Meat Loaf remembers the early days spent touring that often led him to the point of collapse due to physical exhaustion, so determined was he that Bat Out Of Hell would become a success.

Featuring archive footage, interviews and live performances, plus many of Bat Out Of Hell’s finest songs, including Paradise By The Dashboard Light, You Took The Words Out Of My Mouth (Hot Summer Night), Heaven Can Wait and Two Out Of Three Ain’t Bad; this is the compelling story of the making of one of rock music’s finest hours, a true Classic Album.

Executive Producers for Eagle Rock Entertainment: Terry Shand and Geoff Kempin
An Isis Production in co-production with Eagle Rock Entertainment and NKR
Series Producer: Nick de Grunwald
Line Producer: Elizabeth Flowers
Director: Bob Smeaton

Live performance of "Heaven Can Wait" recorded live at Ahoy’ Rotterdam, April 5, 1994
Piano: Mark Alexander
Bass: Steve Buslowe