US rocker Meat Loaf 'recovering well' after collapse on stage in Canada

This file photo taken on May 11, 2013 shows US singer Marvin Lee Aday, aka Meat Loaf, performing on stage in Zwolle. PHOTO: AFP

MONTREAL (AFP) - US rocker Meat Loaf is "recovering well" after collapsing from dehydration late Thursday (June 16) mid way through a hit song while performing in the western Canadian city of Edmonton.

Video of the concert posted on news sites show the veteran rocker falling down while singing his 1993 smash "I'd Do Anything for Love." Band mates rushed to his side after he dropped his mike and collapsed onstage. The music then stops.

"We weren't sure at first whether it was part of the act or it was something for real," concertgoer Lindsay Sundmark told the Edmonton Journal newspaper.

The 68-year-old rocker, born Marvin Lee Aday, was rushed to a hospital from the city's Jubilee Auditorium just after 10 pm (0400 GMT Friday), the Journal reported.

His publicist, Jeremy Westby, told AFP he had collapsed "due to severe dehydration near the end of his concert."

Meat Loaf underwent routine medical tests. "He's responsive and recovering well, and is expecting a speedy and full recovery," Westby said.

Meat Loaf had recently cancelled two earlier Canadian shows, according to the star's Twitter feed.

Any new postponements or rescheduling of concert dates will be announced at a later time, said Westby.

The beefy Texas-born singer is perhaps best known for his 1977 "Bat out of Hell" album, and hit songs including "Paradise by the Dashboard light" (1977), "I'm Gonna Love Her for Both of Us" (1981), and "I'd Do Anything for Love (But I Won't Do That)" (1993).

"Bat Out of Hell" reportedly sold some 43 million copies and is one of the highest selling albums ever.

Meat Loaf collapsed onstage twice previously, once in a 2003 concert in London and again in a 2011 concert in the US city of Pittsburgh.

Aside from his rock gigs, Meat Loaf had small parts in films and TV shows, including the musical comedy "Rocky Horror Picture Show" (1975) and "Fight Club" (1999).

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