Meat Loaf was born Marvin Lee Aday on September 27, 1947, in Dallas, Texas.

His stage moniker was inspired by his high school football team’s nickname for him. Meat Loaf’s name has persisted with him over the years, owing to his powerful, versatile voice and spectacular live acts.

Meat Loaf’s incredible voice has long astounded both fans and casual listeners. It’s said that Meat Loaf hit a note so high during one of his recording sessions that the studio blew a fuse. You’ll wonder if there’s any truth to that story after watching his performance.

On July 13, 1994, at Three Rivers Stadium in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, the Grammy Award-winning performer performed an epic performance of “The Star-Spangled Banner” at the 65th MLB All-Star Game.

Meat Loaf, accompanied by Penn State’s ROTC Color Guard, elevated America’s favorite hymn to new heights, defying all assumptions and preconceptions and demonstrating how The Star-Spangled Banner should be sung.

There were no dry eyes in the house. People stood, hands over their hearts, facing the flag, and sang along. Fans, including children, were wiping away tears in every section of the stadium.

The beautiful and brilliant hymn-like and extremely subtle piano accompaniment supplied by Meat Loaf’s pianist set the tone for this mammoth performance. It was the convergence of all of these ingredients that resulted in this performance for the ages.

It was a fantastic memory for those who were present, as well as those of us who watched it live on television, as Meat Loaf gained the affection and respect of a grateful nation, garnering countless new admirers.

You are going to witness one of the most magnificent renditions of our National Anthem ever performed by a man or woman. This epic tune seems tailor-made for Meat Loaf.