Meat Loaf played one of his last shows on Lower Broadway

Meat Loaf, a theatrical rock powerhouse known for best-selling album 1970s album "Bat Out of Hell," hit a handful of Nashville stages shortly before his death.

Born Marvin Lee Aday, the Texas-raised "I'd Do Anything For Love" singer died Thursday, according to a statement from his family. He was 74. A cause of death was not given at publication 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," the family statement said. "From his heart to your souls…don’t ever stop rocking."

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Before his death, Meat Loaf took a multi-year hiatus from public performing due to a series of back surgeries — until he appeared in March 2021 on stage at Redneck Riviera, the Lower Broadway bar founded by country singer John Rich.

Meat Loaf surprised audience members that night with an extended rendition of Chuck Berry classic "Johnny B. Goode" alongside Rich and "The Voice" alum Taryn Papa. The singer previously worked with Rich on reality show "Celebrity Apprentice" and during senator Mitt Romney's 2012 presidential bid.

Rich introduced Meat Loaf last March as "a new Nashville ... resident," according to a YouTube video of the performance. The appearance began with a few impromptu lines of his 1993 comeback hit "I'd Do Anything ..."

"We are friends and that’s the only reason I’m (expletive) up here," Meat Loaf said in the video. "John said to me, 'Will you sing?' And I said, 'OK I’ll do 'Johnny B Goode.'' And he just [tricked] me into singing bad 'I'd Do Anything For Love.'"

And it wouldn't be Meat Loaf's only pop-up Nashville appearance in the last year. He performed last fall on "Huckabee," the Hendersonville-based TBN talk show hosted by former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee.

And days before Christmas, Meat Loaf crashed a holiday show hosted by Nashville staple Sixwire at local club 3rd and Lindsley, according to multiple social media posts.

Prior to the pop-up gigs, Meat Loaf played his last ticketed Nashville show at the Schermerhorn Symphony Center in 2016.

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Meat Loaf played one of his last shows on Lower Broadway