Meat Loaf - New Zealand Concert Tour confirmed

For immediate release: 10.12.03

NEW ZEALAND TOUR DATES ANNOUNCED TICKETS GO ON SALE FRIDAY DECEMBER 19

Meat Loaf Tour Confirmed

Live in Concert with the Auckland Philharmonia

Following the recent widely reported public conjecture and disappointment that Auckland and New Zealand had again missed out on another international concert promotion, it is with great excitement that the Auckland Philharmonia announce a coup for New Zealand audiences and confirm that indeed Meat Loaf will tour New Zealand in March 2004.

He's one of the biggest selling artists of all time and as part of his last world tour, Meat Loaf will perform live in concert in March 2004 with the Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra in both Auckland and Christchurch. Meat Loaf has sold more than 60 million albums worldwide, including 30 million of the phenomenal "Bat Out Of Hell" which became the soundtrack to our lives. Meat Loaf will rock his New Zealand fans with his 9-piece band accompanied by the Auckland Philharmonia, on Sunday March 14 at Auckland's Western Springs Stadium and Wednesday March 17 at Christchurch Westpac Centre.

Auckland Philharmonia General Manager, Anne Rodda said: "Following the outstanding success of our recent collaboration with such great artists as Diana Krall and Manhattan Transfer, we are thrilled to present the charismatic Meat Loaf, a living legend from the world of rock music, and offer the audience an exciting experience of rock and symphonic fusion". Singing epic, operatic tales of love with his instantly recognisable, booming voice, Meat Loaf live in concert is an unforgettable experience.

His last world tour started in June 2003 in the US, playing amphitheatres, festivals and arenas supporting "Couldn't Have Said it Better", his eighth studio album in 25 years. Personifying showmanship and vocal prowess at its best, Meat Loaf invokes the true spirit of rock'n'roll in his live shows. He performs all his signature hits, and dueting on "Paradise by the Dashboard Light" and "I'd

Do Anything For Love" with the stunning Patti Russo. "Couldn't Have Said it Better" marks a triumphant return to the studio for Meat Loaf. His last two albums were 1977's "Welcome to the Neighborhood", which went platinum and 1997's masterpiece "Bat Out of Hell 2", which sold a staggering 10 million albums and netted him a Grammy Award.

Born Marvin Lee Aday in Dallas, Texas, Meat Loaf moved to Los Angeles in 1967 to begin his career as a musician and actor. He first gained widespread attention as Eddie, the brain-dead zombie in The Rocky Horror Picture Show.

In 1974 he met Jim Steinman and the two embarked on a partnership that led to "Bat Out of Hell", which went on to be one of the biggest selling albums of all time, selling over 30 million copies. In 1993 Meat Loaf again collaborated with Steinman and released "Bat Out of Hell 2: Back into Hell". The tour will put a brief hiatus to Meat Loaf's burgeoning film career, where he has been known to take quirky, but emotional roles in films such as Fight Club, Crazy In Alabama and Formula 51, amongst others.

The popular performer collapsed during a concert at Wembley Arena on November 17 after a prolonged viral infection. Following further tests, Meat Loaf, 52, was diagnosed with Wolf-Parkinson-White Syndrome, a defect of the heart, which causes an irregular heartbeat, otherwise known as Tachycardia, which can cause dizziness & fainting. A minor surgical procedure known as Catheter Ablation, was performed on Meat's heart to treat the condition during a short and very common day surgery. Following a few days rest at a London hotel, Meat Loaf is well and truly back on the road and at full-throttle.

Meat Loaf is currently on tour in Europe following his sold out UK Arena Tour, one of the biggest of it's kind in 2003. Meat Loaf's Last World Tour commenced in the US in June 2003 playing amphitheatre, festivals and arenas. The Australian leg of the world tour, promoted by Andrew McManus starts on February 20 and has received a huge response from fans, with further dates added in most capital cities and new shows added in Tasmania, Newcastle and Wollongong.

Meat Loaf - The Last Tour
is proudly presented in New Zealand
by Auckland Philharmonia & Andrew McManus.

Concert Dates are:
Sunday March 14 Auckland Western Springs Stadium
Wednesday March 17 Christchurch Westpac Centre

On Sale Friday December 19:
Book at TICKETEK Nationwide,
Phone or Website www.ticketek.co.nz

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