Singer Meat Loaf Collapses Onstage While Singing 'I'd Do Anything for Love'
Just days after he postponed a show due to illness, Christian rock singer Meat Loaf collapsed on stage in Edmonton, Canada, while performing his 1993 hit song "I'd Do Anything for Love (But I Won't Do That)."
Several videos posted online show the 68-year-old dropping his microphone and falling to the stage in the middle of his rendition of the song. Stage hands quickly rushed to his aid once they realized what happened.
"He was performing 'I Would Do Anything For Love,' and all of a sudden in the middle of it he collapsed right on stage. We weren't sure at first whether it was part of the act or it was something for real," said Lindsay Sundmark, who watched as an ambulance pulled away from the Northern Jubilee Auditorium where the incident happened just after 10 p.m., according to the Edmonton Journal.
Get Our Latest News for FREE
Fans told the journal that the singer had put on an energetic performance, and many didn't realize his sudden collapse wasn't part of the show until paramedics rushed the stage.
"I just hope he's okay. He put his heart 100 percent into the concert, he put everything into it, I just feel so bad for him," said Lotta Shandalla.
Britt Brewer, who attended the show with her brother, mother and a co-worker told the Journal that the whole incident "was a little surreal."
"It looked at first like he was just being theatrical and lying down on the stage," she said.
Fans only became aware when the singer wasn't moving and bandmates and tour staff crowded around him, she said. The next thing she knew, "security were telling us to clear the venue."
A statement posted to the singer's Facebook page explained that he was rushed to a local hospital shortly after the incident and was treated for dehydration.
"Meat Loaf collapsed Thursday night due to severe dehydration near the end of his concert at the Northern Jubilee Auditorium in Edmonton, Alberta Canada. He was admitted to a nearby hospital to undergo routine tests. His vital signs are stable and normal — additional tests are being performed but he is responsive and recovering well," said the statement.
"He extends his heartfelt thanks for everyone's support and well wishes, and is expecting a speedy and full recovery. Any concert postponements / rescheduled dates will be announced at a later time. Thank you for your support and understanding," the statement ended.
Meat Loaf, whose real name is Marvin Lee Aday, canceled a concert in Calgary on Monday due to illness.
"Due to illness, tonight's Meat Loaf show at the Southern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium in Calgary has been postponed. Ticketholders are asked to hold onto their tickets until further information is available," said a message on the singer's Facebook page Monday.
According to his website, Meat Loaf is on a Canadian tour that ends up in July.
"For the whole show Meat Loaf seemed a little out of it," Callie Young, 29, who was in the eighth row at the concert said, according to AOL. "I actually told my boyfriend I was having a hard time enjoying the concert because I was concerned for his health."
