Rock n’ Roll has long been
an “indicator of dramatic changes occurring in the social and cultural worlds
of adolescents” (Kotarba 398). This indicates the nature of rock n' roll and
adolescents towards angst and rebellion a natural one. Rock n’ Roll
frontrunners like Elvis appealed to teenagers and young adults for this reason.
Elvis, when he appeared in the 50's, was a gyrating, controversial artist --
presenting Rock n' Roll as a product of the rebellious counterculture to
musical and cultural norms. From then on, Rock n’ Roll is considered the
“soundtrack to American culture” (Kotarba 398). [Leading to the diversification
of rock n' roll to continue to form and remove itself from common culture --
the desire not to be "the soundtrack to American culture"].
Jim
Steinman and Meat Loaf presented the album "Bat Out of Hell" to many
record companies -- being denied by all of them. Steinman, who wrote the album
for Meat Loaf to perform, was mocked by Clive Davis. Davis told Steinman
"he should buy some rock records and learn how to write songs"
(Whitaker). Finally, Todd Rundgren produced "Bat Out of Hell" --
relucatantly. Though he was less than excited, it was soon found that Rundgren
produced "an usual, eclectic, and ultimately groundbreaking record"
(Whitaker). The album was insanely popular, despite its haters, and thus,
"Bat Out of Hell" launches Meat Loaf into post-"Rocky
Horror" fame.
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| (L) Album Artwork by: Richard Corben -- (R) Michael Putland / Getty Images |
It is
curious that, though the album was apparently despised by those in the
industry, it was taken so well and was, ultimately, very successful with its
audience. Meat Loaf is categorized as rock-opera, a term that, when the album
came out, was fresh to many folks as Rock n’ Roll became sub-genred out to
account for “intricate differentiation of rock styles [which] began during
their youth in the 60’s and 70’s” (Kotarba 400). As Stephen Davies points out
in "Rock versus Classical Music", rock-opera is is a genre that
exists in the "grey area" between rock n' roll and classical music --
it is outside of the boundaries of both, placing its roots in both and neither
at once.