It was never hip to like "Meatloaf." Not back then, no way. "Bat Out Of Hell" came out in '77 and who knew what to make of this character? Big, bold, sweaty, obnoxious, there he was, up on stage doing "Paradise. . ." I guess our first reaction had to be "Who the hell is this freakshow?" Sure, if we had known back then that he did the Rocky Horror Picture thing, it would've all made sense. Well, Mr. Loaf, or "Meat," or whoever he happens to be at the moment, arrived on the rock scene in the blink of an eye and disappeared into oblivion about as quickly. Yet, he left a multi-platinum legacy behind that few can contest. That is until he, along with former behind-the-scenes hit-maker Steinman got it together again fifteen years later to continue the story.

A man perfectly at home performing on a stage, in a kitchen, or recently behind the camera, "Meatloaf" has seemingly been through as many ups and downs as anyone else would see in a complete lifetime. Years later, we find him in his latest version, looking and sounding in fine form as his story unfolds for VH1's "Storytellers" series. The station that's made their business by interfering in other people's couldn't have picked a better personality to showcase. This man is never at a loss for words (except when they're taken right out of his mouth). He carries himself professionally in and out of dialogue and song sequence for the intimate assembly that gathered for the occasion on this live album, and is now the "Meatloaf: VH1 Storytellers" tour.

Get "revved up" for a brief moment, relive those "Hot Summer Nights," and before long you'll find "Paradise. . ." by the you know where. Yes, fond memories for everyone, past, present and future, along with some of the finest singing ever put to record. As an entertainer like no other, listen to why "Meatloaf" continues to be one of the world's most enduring and endearing personalities.