Meatloaf at Humphreys by the Bay: 2010
Meat Loaf brought his theatrical rock opera to Humphreys by the Bay in San Diego. Even in his 60s, decades past his "Bat Out of Hell" peak, the man delivered with the same over-the-top commitment that made him famous.
The Legend
Meat Loaf's "Bat Out of Hell" (1977) is one of the best-selling albums of all time - operatic rock songs about teenage lust, rebellion, and motorcycles, written by Jim Steinman and performed with maximum drama by Meat Loaf. Songs like "Paradise by the Dashboard Light" and the title track are rock and roll epics.
By 2010, Meat Loaf was in his 60s, his voice had weathered considerably, and he was long past his commercial peak. But he still toured, still gave everything on stage, and still connected with audiences who loved those epic songs.
The Performance
Meat Loaf doesn't do subtlety. Every song is performed with complete commitment, every lyric delivered with theatrical intensity. He sweats through his suits, he gestures dramatically, he sells every moment like his life depends on it.
"Bat Out of Hell" is a seven-minute rock opera about crashing motorcycles and teenage passion. Live, it's even more epic - guitar solos stretched out, vocals pushed to the limit, drama maximized. Meat Loaf sang it like he still believed every word.
"Paradise by the Dashboard Light" is twelve minutes of rock and roll theater - the seduction scene, the baseball announcer call, the marriage vows regretted. It's absurd and over-the-top and completely earnest. The crowd sang along to every word, acting out the parts.
"I'd Do Anything for Love (But I Won't Do That)" from his '90s comeback showed he could still hit the notes (mostly) and sell the emotion. The song's theatrical sweep and mysterious "that" (what won't he do?) made it perfect for his style.
"Two Out of Three Ain't Bad" is the ballad that proves Meat Loaf can do vulnerability. The song is sad and resigned, and even with his weathered voice, he conveyed the emotion.
The Voice
Meat Loaf's voice in 2010 was not what it was in 1977. The range was diminished, the power was reduced, the control was shakier. But the commitment was unchanged. He sang with everything he had, pushing his voice to do what it once could, and mostly succeeding through sheer force of will.
For some fans, the vocal limitations were disappointing. For others, they added poignancy - here's a legend still giving everything even though age has taken its toll.
The Theatrical Tradition
Meat Loaf represents rock and roll as theater. He's not a cool rock star; he's a performer in the tradition of musical theater, giving exaggerated performances that are completely sincere. He's closer to Broadway than to the Velvet Underground.
This theatrical approach isn't for everyone. If you value authenticity over performance, Meat Loaf might seem fake or overwrought. But if you appreciate music as performance art, he's a master.
Jim Steinman's Songs
Jim Steinman wrote most of Meat Loaf's greatest songs, and they're perfectly suited to his theatrical style. Steinman wrote rock operas about teenagers, motorcycles, vampires, and passion - melodramatic, over-the-top, and completely committed to emotional extremes.
These songs require a performer willing to sell them without irony or self-consciousness. Meat Loaf is that performer. He believes in these songs, and his belief makes audiences believe too.
Humphreys Setting
Seeing Meat Loaf at Humphreys' intimate waterfront venue created interesting contrast. His music is big, bombastic, designed for arenas. But in the smaller setting, you could see the sweat, the effort, the complete commitment. It made the performance more human and touching.
The Encore
Meat Loaf's encores are legendary - he comes back, gives more, thanks the audience profusely, and makes everyone feel like they've experienced something special. Even in 2010, weathered and worn, he created that magic.
The Verdict
Meat Loaf at Humphreys was a veteran performer giving everything he had left to deliver the songs people came to hear. His voice was diminished, but his commitment was total. He sweated, he strained, he sold every moment.
If you love "Bat Out of Hell" and want to hear those songs live, Meat Loaf delivered. Not with the vocal power of 1977, but with the same theatrical commitment and belief in rock and roll as operatic drama.
Thank you, Meat Loaf (R.I.P. 2022), for decades of giving 110%, for believing in Jim Steinman's rock operas, and for showing that rock and roll can be theatrical, earnest, and completely over-the-top while remaining genuine.