STAGE DROP
Shocking moment Meat Loaf collapses on stage for the FOURTH time three years before he died aged 74
THIS is the shocking moment Meat Loaf collapsed on stage for the FOURTH time three years before his death at the age of 74.
The rock legend - who died on Thursday after a six-decade long career - battled health issues throughout his life and repeatedly had to squash death rumours as panicked fans saw him faint while performing four times over the years.
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As he gave an interview at the 2019 Texas Frightmare horror convention, the star was caught on camera tumbling off the stage as the audience collectively gasped in horror.
Footage shows Meat Loaf, then 71, appearing to stop himself tripping before falling off the stage sideways and disappearing through a curtain.
In a complaint he filed as against the Hyatt Regency at Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport, the star said he "put his foot down on part of the curtain that had nothing beneath it and lost his footing as a result, falling off the stage."
He was dashed to a local hospital, where he stayed for 12 days before being transferred to Centennial Medical Center in Nashville - where he received treatment for injuries to his neck, collar bone and shoulder for 30 days.
But it wasn't the first time the veteran entertainer had fallen on stage - as he had previously collapsed during shows in 2016, 2011 and 2003.
In June 2016, he was rushed to hospital after collapsing mid-way through a gig due to severe dehydration.
Most read in The Sun
The star, then 68, was belting out hit I Would Do Anything for Love as he entertained fans at the Jubilee Auditorium in Edmonton, Canada, when he fainted and hit the deck.
Shocking pictures showed Meat Loaf lying in a heap on the floor after the drama before being taken to hospital.
🔵 Read our Meat Loaf live blog for the latest updates on his death
After the incident, he was forced to deny he'd passed away as rumours of his death swirled after also appeared in a number of interviews with slurred speech, with even Katie Price telling him she thought he had died.
“Listen, I am not dying. After three months of therapy I will be fine. I am sick of talking about it. I don’t want to talk about it from now on,” he said at the time.
"And anyone else who asks me the question, I’m not going to respond to it.”
Five years prior in 2011, he dramatically fainted at a show in Pittsburgh - but managed to carry on performing.
The singer was left flat on his back after passing out during his performance at the Amphitheatre at Station Square.
He was helped back to his feet - before implying he'd had an asthma attack.
"I f**king fainted. I have asthma, I can’t breathe," he told fans.
"And then – oh wait, I forgot – I got poked by a pin and bled half to death and then I got slapped in the face and my tooth is loose."
And in 2003, Meat Loaf was forced to postpone a gig at London's Wembley Arena after collapsing on stage "from exhaustion due to a prolonged viral infection".
He was admitted to Northwick Park Hospital in Harrow after attempting to continue the gig.
It comes as it was today revealed the legend last night died at the age of 74 with wife by his side.
A heartbreaking tribute posted on the star's official Facebook page reads: "Our hearts are broken to announce that the incomparable Meat Loaf passed away tonight with his wife Deborah by his side.
"Daughters Pearl and Amanda and close friends have been with him throughout the last 24 hours.
'INSPIRING ARTIST'
"His amazing career spanned 6 decades that saw him sell over 100 Million albums worldwide and star in over 65 movies, including Fight Club, Focus, Rocky Horror Picture Show and Wayne’s World. Bat Out of Hell remains one of the top 10 selling albums of all time.
"We know how much he meant to so many of you and we truly appreciate all of the love and support as we move through this time of grief in losing such an inspiring artist and beautiful man.
"We thank you for your understanding of our need for privacy at this time. From his heart to your souls…don’t ever stop rocking!"
Meat Loaf was last pictured on stage on March 27 last year when he performed with country artist John Rich at Redneck Riviera in Nashville.
His cause of death has not yet been revealed.
The rock star was born Marvin Lee Aday in Dallas, Texas, in 1947, forming his first band Meat Loaf Soul in the 1960s and legally changing his name to Michael Lee Aday.
Meat Loaf's colourful career saw him not only wow fans with his music, but also with his theatrics as he appeared in more than 50 movies and television shows - including the 1997 film Spice World.
He shot to worldwide fame in 1977 with Bat Out Of Hell, which became an international success that reigns as one of the best-selling albums in history.
The singer went on to enjoy a stunning singing career - with an estimated 200,000 copies of Bat Out of Hell still flying off the shelves annually.
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His life was plagued by health issues, including asthma. He also suffered from a medical condition called Wolff-Parkinson-White, which causes an irregular heartbeat, and underwent surgery in 2003 in London.
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