Product Description

Meat Loaf's bizarre and spectacular life story is scarcely credible. After surviving an abusive childhood, during which he was almost murdered by his alcoholic father, he starred in one of the biggest stage and film musicals ever, then went on to record the third best-selling album of all time. To Hell and Back is the story of a man who ran away from a cruel home life at 17 and starred in the legendary Rocky Horror Picture Show before turning to rock-'n'roll. His first album, Bat Out Of Hell, was considered so uncommercial by his first record label that they dropped him - only for it to go on to sell 20 million copies worldwide. He then spent the Eighties on the skids, with a severe drink and drugs problem and mounting money problems leading him to a nervous breakdown, before making a triumphant comeback with 1993's album Bat Out Of Hell II and colossal hit single 'I'd Do Anything For Love'. This is an extraordinary story and a classic rock autobiography.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #33610 in Books
• Published on: 2000-07-06
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 224 pages

Amazon.co.uk Review
"Stories are like legal tender in Texas; the stranger the better. It's not that people in Texas are particularly morbid or anything. It's just that they love stories, and the best stories naturally have some bizarre aspect to them." That's Meat's summation of his home state, and a read of To Hell And Back proves he's a Dallas boy through and through.

It's fantastic to report that this is the huge, bombastic rags-to-riches-back-to-rags-back-to-riches tale that it really should be, with Meat coming across as a thoroughly charismatic madman--with thanks, no doubt, to the homely style and incisive editing of ghostwriter David Dalton. The gothic-styled To Hell And Back is replete with tales of fingerless drummers, arms-dealing managers and perpetually overdosing lead guitarists, and while Meat seems slightly horrified by his own excesses, even the doldrums are here in gory detail. "I've blacked out the whole thing," says Meat, of laying Mum to rest, "but apparently what I did at the funeral service was pull my mother out of the casket and say they couldn't have her. I actually lifted her into my arms, and people were horrified."

From the depths of cocaine psychosis, all paid for by the multi-million selling Bat Out Of Hell, Meat pulls back from the brink and when Bat Out Of Hell II makes him a superstar again, even the critics are onside. "When Rolling Stone reviewed the concert in Madison Square Garden and gave us a rave, I nearly had a heart attack and died. I literally got dizzy, fainted" explains Meat, proudly. Steady on, big guy--what they're saying about To Hell And Back might just spark off a full cardiac arrest. --Louis Pattison

Amazon.co.uk Review
"Stories are like legal tender in Texas; the stranger the better. It's not that people in Texas are particularly morbid or anything. It's just that they love stories, and the best stories naturally have some bizarre aspect to them." That's Meat's summation of his home state, and a read of To Hell And Back proves he's a Dallas boy through and through.

It's fantastic to report that this is the huge, bombastic rags-to-riches-back-to-rags-back-to-riches tale that it really should be, with Meat coming across as a thoroughly charismatic madman--with thanks, no doubt, to the homely style and incisive editing of ghost-writer David Dalton. The gothic-styled To Hell And Back is replete with tales of fingerless drummers, arms-dealing managers, and perpetually overdosing lead guitarists, and while Meat seems slightly horrified by his own excesses, even the doldrums are here in gory detail. "I've blacked out the whole thing", says Meat, of laying Mom to rest, "but apparently what I did at the funereal service was pull my mother out of the casket and say they couldn't have her. I actually lifted her into my arms, and people were horrified".

>From the depths of cocaine psychosis, all paid for by the multi-million selling Bat Out Of Hell, Meat pulls back from the brink and when Bat Out Of Hell II makes him a superstar again, even the critics are on-side. "When Rolling Stone reviewed the concert in Madison Square Garden and gave us a rave, I nearly had a heart attack and died. I literally got dizzy, fainted" explains Meat, proudly. Steady on, big guy--what they're saying about To Hell And Back might just spark off a full cardiac arrest. --Louis Pattison

Record Collector
'highly entertaining autobiography...fills out the monster that was Meat Loaf'

Customer Reviews

Wonderful
Generally, when rock stars write an autobiography, it is little more than a huge ego trip. However, on reading Meat Loaf's autobiography, it is clear that there are very different, moral reasons involved here. Once and for all, he wants to set the record straight about all of the ups and downs of his career, as well as his sordid past.

The writing throughout is excellent, and makes it a joy to read, although this is most likely due in a large way to the talents of Meat Loaf's co-author. Of course, the material itself is incredibly entertaining, and full of incredible facts and information (for example, Meat has had concussion seventeen times). Whether you're a huge fan of Meat Loaf, or even if you hate his guts - this book will give a huge insight into his background and his mind.

Climb aboard the rollercoaster and go Into Hell and Back
You could not get any closer to Meat Loaf unless you were sitting next to him. A fantasic voyage into the life, of an larger the life Artist. They say everything is bigger in Texas. Meat's life and career would testify to that.

I'd laughed, i'd cried reading this book. A true strugle of a artist trying to get his dream and vision to become a reality. His fight, against the system (The Music Exec's) and his own deamons. This is the ultimate in getting up close and personal with somebody.

It's Deeply honest and very frank, even if you don't like the big man's music, from the first page you can't but this down, this book is a must read.

You'll never regret the day you went into Hell and Back.

an honest account of the big man himself
One of the most honest, thought provoking autobiography's i have ever read. It made me laugh, it made me cry and i just could not put it down. A very moving account of one of the greatest men in music. A definate must read for meatloaf fans and book lovers in general.