Stoney & Meat Loaf
Biography Stoney & Meat Loaf
Meat Loaf
Michael Lee Aday (born Marvin Lee Aday, September 27, 1947), better known as Meat Loaf, is an American singer and actor. He is noted for his powerful, wide-ranging voice and theatrical live shows. His Bat Out of Hell trilogy–Bat Out of Hell, Bat Out of Hell II: Back into Hell, and Bat Out of Hell III: The Monster Is Loose–has sold more than 40 million albums worldwide. More than four decades after its release, the first album still sells an estimated 200,000 copies annually and stayed on the charts for over nine years, making it one of the best-selling albums in history.
After the commercial success of Bat Out of Hell and Bat Out of Hell II: Back Into Hell, and earning a Grammy Award for Best Solo Rock Vocal Performance for the song “I’d Do Anything for Love”, Meat Loaf nevertheless experienced some difficulty establishing a steady career within the United States. This did not stop him from becoming one of the best-selling music artists of all time, with worldwide sales of more than 80 million records. The key to this success was his retention of iconic status and popularity in Europe, especially the United Kingdom, where he received the 1994 Brit Award for best-selling album and single, appeared in the 1997 film Spice World, and ranks 23rd for the number of weeks spent on the UK charts, as of 2006.[update] He ranks 96th on VH1’s “100 Greatest Artists of Hard Rock”.
Sometimes credited as Meat Loaf Aday, he has also appeared in over 50 movies and television shows, sometimes as himself or as characters resembling his stage persona. His most notable film roles include Eddie in The Rocky Horror Picture Show (1975), and Robert “Bob” Paulson in Fight Club (1999). His early stage work included dual roles in the original cast of The Rocky Horror Show, and he was also in the musical Hair, both on- and off-Broadway.
Shaun Murphy aka Stoney Murphy
Shaun joined Little Feat as a full-time member in 1993 for the recording of Ain’t Had Enough Fun. It quickly became apparent that whether she was belting out the blues or softly singing a ballad or backing harmony that listeners had better strap in for an emotional roller-coaster ride.
Shaun didn’t become a singing sensation with Little Feat. She had already accomplished that with Eric Clapton, the Moody Blues, John Hiatt, Bruce Hornsby, Meat Loaf (as part of the duo Stoney & Meatloaf) and Bob Seger. Shaun joined the Feat to help broaden the band’s ever-eclectic interests and to provide another lead singer after Craig Fuller left the band. The band wasn’t looking for a lead vocalist, but rather an occasional lead singer and backing vocalist. She fit the bill nicely.
For more than 15 years, she was an integral and dynamic force in Little Feat who bonded with the fanbase and helped the band rekindle its mojo through new music and updated classic tunes and covers. She gave a new feel to Cadillac Hotel, On Your Way Down and Changing Luck, and blossomed on tunes such as Hoy, Hoy, Driving Blind and It Takes A Lot To Laugh, It Takes A Train To Cry. She was an integral part of the band. She captured the hearts of fans with her class and style, and blew them into tomorrow with her incredible voice. She has pipes that are unrivaled. She is a rock-and-roller, a blue-eyed soul sister and a charismatic professional who works – and has worked – the big stage with the best of them. She brought it every night with Feat. You couldn’t ask for anything more. That’s why her time with the band was so important to so many fans.
Shaun’s passionate vocals are straight out of the Big Easy by way of Detroit. Sass and class. She excelled at lead, harmony or backup, had a formidable, commanding stage presence and fit in with the boys to make great music for a decade and a half. She reinforced that stage persona by being a great and caring person who always had time for fans.
In February 2009, Shaun departed Little Feat. She left this message for Feat Fans and the Little Feat community. “I must say that I have never met such an incredible bunch of folks in my life, you have become my friends. I will miss you all very much. You are such good people with open hearts and arms, I fear I'll never run across your likes again in this world. Thank you all for being there, you are the best! Love ya always!”
Shaun is still a working singer and you can catch her on the proud highway or via her website. If you have the chance, take in one of her shows and relive the magic. Buy her music. She’s worth it. Ten times over!
