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

His stage name was based on the name his high school football team called him. Meat Loaf quickly became famous for his powerful, wide-ranging voice and theatrical live shows, and the name stuck with him over the years.

Fans and people who just listen to music have always been amazed by Meat Loaf’s voice. It’s said that when Meat Loaf was recording, he hit a note so high that it blew a fuse in the studio. After you see him perform, you’ll start to wonder if that story is true.

On July 13, 1994, at the 65th MLB All-Star Game in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania’s Three Rivers Stadium, a singer who had won a Grammy Award sang “The Star-Spangled Banner” in an epic way.

From the air, a view of Pittsburgh Stadium in 1994

With the help of Penn State’s ROTC Color Guard, Meat Loaf took America’s favorite song to the next level, breaking all expectations and showing everyone how to sing “The Star-Spangled Banner.”

No one in the room didn’t cry. People stood up, put their hands over their hearts, and sang while facing the flag. Even the kids were wiping tears off their faces in every part of the stadium.

Meat Loaf’s pianist set the tone for this historic performance with his noble, brilliant, hymn-like, and very understated piano accompaniment. When these things came together, they made this performance one for the ages.

Meat Loaf gets ready to sing “The Star-Spangled Banner.”

It was a great memory for those who were there and for those of us who watched it live on TV. Meat Loaf won the respect and admiration of a grateful nation and gained a lot of new fans because of it.

You’re about to see one of the best performances of our National Anthem ever given by a man or a woman. This epic song sounds like it was made for Meat Loaf.