Latest News PageRush FestivalWe are delighted to have been approached to play The Rush Festival in Aldershot this year. It's a 3 day event with some very big names including The Real Thing, Bad Manners, Blondie! and Chesney Hawkes others to be announced We are performing on the last day which is Sunday 12th October, at this stage it looks like we wil be the act to finish this 3 day event, we are told we will be the last act and will be on stage after Chesney Hawkes. For details of this fantastic event visit www.rushfestival.com VIDEO REACTIONWe have had a great response to our latest youtube video, however this is the best so far.Its another quote from Ellen Foley a star in her own right, yet also famous for her voice on the classic duet Paradise By The Dashboard Light. Heres what she said “Dean- Wow! You really sound like Meat Loaf on a good day , Its great ! Ellen” Old FootageHere is a video taken in 2002 , I have deliberated for years about putting Burnley rocks
Granada reports 6th may 08Tour Bus been airbrushedHere are some pics of our bus has undergone a massive transformation courtesy of the UKS Top Airbrush artist Dave Crossley, Dave recently did our new backdrop and we were so impressed with the results he just had to be our choice to paint the Tour bus! Incorporating images from BAT 1 and BAT 2 it certainly has transformed our home on wheels, he will also be doing the trailer when he can fit us in , the job has taken 12 days to complete and we are delighted with the results.
Dave can paint anything on any surface! check him out at www.bigwhitefrog.com NEW ALBUM UPDATEHere is the latest on our new album, So far there are 4 songs that have been written, there will be 7 songs on the album in total. The Title for the album will be “The Bat Strikes Back” this name was suggested by well known Meat Loaf fan Ross Pomfret. We can also reveal that one of the 7 songs will be called To Hell & Back . I am sure you will be delighted to hear this album when it is finished, we will be looking for a record company to take it on, and we will be taking it to all the big players. Many fans will know that Bat Out Of Hell was turned down by every major record company we will also go to them all !!! [if we have to] The songs are incredible and are superbly written and are certainly Stiemenesque in sound and feel. Already we have huge media interest in this project and we are sure you will be hearing a lot more about this album over the next few months. THE FAT BASTAORD TUR 2008
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July 06: PARTY IN THE PARK WELLINGBOROUGH
To Hell & Back put on a great show at Party in the park Wellingborough , supporting named bands such as Blazing Squad, Aswad, and X factor winner Steve Brookstein! Steve Brookstein watched the show and went on to say that To Hell and Back rocked it! [see reviews]
Here's some pics of the day with Cher tribute Yvonne Haylen, Yvonne can be booked with Dean and they are the only Meat Loaf and Cher tribute in the UK .
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June 06: Welcome to our fantastic new web site....courtesy of Stewart Leahy at Web Site Creation in Yorkshire (www.web-site-creation.co.uk) If you've any comments, please let us know on dean@meatloaf.org
June 06: Please take the time to visit www.lewisedmundsonappeal.org - this is the only charity we're currently promoting as it's for a fantastic cause.
NEW
ALBUM
We are due to start recording a new album; recording starts on the 9th May and should be finished by the 13th May. We are recording the album in Rochdale - the recording studio is owned by Lisa Stansfield!
We are now taking pre-orders for
the Album which is priced at 12 pounds including post and packaging.
Simply email us with your contact details and we will be in touch.
We
will be replacing our live sound bites with clips from the new album so
you can listen before you buy, We will also be donating a substantial
amount from sales of the new album to the Lewis Edmundson foundation.
Tracks will be:
-
I Would Do Anything For Love
-
You Took The Words Right Out Of My Mouth
-
2 Out Of 3 Ain't Bad
-
Paradise By The Dashboard Light
-
Modern Girl
-
Dead Ringer For Love
-
Heaven Can Wait
-
Bat Out Of Hell
-
For Crying Out Loud.
-
Rock And Roll Dreams Come Through
-
Out Of The Frying Pan [And Into The Fire]
-
Life Is A Lemon [ And I Want My Money Back!]
Lewis
Edmundson appeal / Charity concert...
A couple of years ago we were invited backstage to meet Meat Loaf at the MEN Arena. On that momentous night we were privileged to meet a family who also had personal invitations and backstage passes. The reason for them being there was that their son Lewis [aged 5 at the time] was a big Meat Loaf fan and had a rare illness. Meat Loaf had heard about Lewis and wanted to meet him and his family. Meat Loaf spent a good 30 minutes talking to Lewis and his family, who are all big Meat Loaf fans.
There
is a possibility that Lewis could be helped by a doctor in America.
However this is extremely expensive. If you can donate any amount -
however small - to help him towards his goal please visit the appeals
website at
www.lewisedmundsonappeal.org where you can make a donation and find
out more about this remarkable little boy.
PLEASE HELP LEWIS NOW!!
NO BAND REQUIRED!
Yet again To Hell & Back are booked at one of the UK'S biggest "Live Music venues", the Queen's Hall Nuneaton. This really is testament to the quality and accuracy of Dean's portrayal of Meat Loaf, Dean says, " We are delighted that we are playing a lot of venues whose policy is to only have 'Live Music'. There are 6 venues we appear at where they won't accept any act that use taped backing, and as far as I am aware we are the only tribute to perform at these venues that does use taped backing. What's really cool is, it's the venues that are ringing us!" It really is a case of throwing the rule book out the window when it comes to booking this, the UK's most authentic Meat Loaf tribute.
Dean goes on to say, "It really is the loneliest place on Earth, stood on a stage with 600+ people watching you and there's no band to hide behind, people are watching YOU not the drummer, guitarist etc. etc. The focus is on YOU, so you have to have it together or you'll get crucified. Admittedly there are other full Live Bands that do Meat Loaf songs and these venues know who they are, yet they want our show instead. That speaks volumes as far as I'm concerned."
To Hell & Back play the Queen's Hall Nuneaton on Friday, 14th April; full details can be found at the Queen's Hall website: www.queenshall.net
IVY BUSH ROYAL HOTEL CARMARTHEN, SOUTH WALES
To Hell & Back are certainly
building up a following in North and South Wales, and is it any wonder
going off their recent performance at the Ivy Bush Hotel Carmarthen, on
Saturday 4th March '06. Here's what the manager Paul Newman had to say
after the show
"We have lots of tribute acts here at the Ivy, but Dean's tribute to Meat
Loaf is the best I have ever seen in all my years as the Manager here. I
know for sure that no tribute act has ever received a standing ovation,
but Dean didn't just get 1 - he got 2! standing ovations, and thoroughly
deserved too. He has an amazing voice and he looked and sounded just like
Meat Loaf."
Here's what the DJ thought...
Thanks for a great nite, best tribute we’ve seen, really enjoyed,----------Nij & Bex (NiBex)----The disco, can’t be bad can it enjoying, and getting paid 4 it.
Thanks again, hope we see you again sometime, all the best.
WHERE ARE YOU...?
Show us - and anyone else who's interested - where you live. Click on the button below and you can stick a pin in a world map, see where you are in relation to us and other visitors. Try it - it's fun!
UTTERLY!
Here are some pics on set for an advert for Utterly Butterly, which will appear in magazines and on TV.
BRUCE KULICK...
Here's a pic (or 4) of former member of the original Neverland Express, Bruce Kulick, with me and a fan called Cara. We had a great meeting and he still can play all those Meat Loaf songs as he did in 1977. A great guy and, in my opinion, the best guitarist Meat Loaf has ever had - he is AWESOME!! After leaving the Neverland Express, Bruce went on to join the rock band Kiss.
THE
YOUNGEST MEAT LOAF TRIBUTE IN THE UK
MINI LOAF!! AND BAND
Allow us to introduce Oliver as Meat Loaf, Adam as Paul Crook, and Kane as Kasim the Kid Sultan!
We have known Oliver and his band for a couple of years now, his dad Kevin is a DJ at 2 clubs in Grimsby that we play at. Oliver is only 7 and he is awesome, he really looks like Meat when he was a young lad [but slimmer!] He has his own backing tracks, Zenhiesser mic! And even has his own pa system. Here are pics of Oliver with his brother Adam (aged 8) who is a fantastic guitarist and he plays the role of Paul Crook superbly on his Fender guitar. Then there's mad Kane!! (aged 7) who plays the role of Kasim the kid sultan with stunning bass guitar and fantastic stage presence.
We'll soon have a video clip showing Meat and Kasim rocking, check it out. In our opinion they will go far, Oliver has already said he wants our bike and backdrop when we retire [maybe!!]
GRIMSBY AND RUABON ROCK!
Here's a few more shots from recent shows - yet another brilliant weekend!
NEW BAND MEMBER - (fanfare!)
Ladies and Gentlemen - please allow us to introduce on keyboards Mr Jim Steinway!
After auditioning loads of potential Jim Steinmans (Steinmen? - Ed.) we have given the role to Mr Mike Deliso! Mike is classically trained and has played with some top musicians in his 35-year career; Mike fits the role perfectly - he was born in the Bronx, New York City, and we are thrilled that he's taken up our offer!
Jim Steinway will only appear at
venues that have space for a replic
a
baby grand piano [which is being built as we speak]; it will be red with
gold flames. and will complement our existing stage set perfectly.
Jim Steinway will not, however, feature in the Neverland Express shows [more news on that later this week].
Here's a picture of Mike sailing through the auditions which were held in our house!
NEW PICS...
From a recent gig - featuring the new Dean!
STARS IN THEIR EYES?
One
of the most asked questions we get is, "Have you ever been on Stars in
their eyes?" The answer is - no. Many people only want to book tribute
acts that have appeared on "Stars"; does this make us a lesser act or an
inferior act to those that have appeared on "Stars"? Apparently not,
especially if you are a certain Mr Tony Topham who came to see our show
last week in Burnley. Mr Topham was looking to book a Meat Loaf tribute
for his wedding next year; he had seen Stars in their Eyes winner Matt
Shaw, and had spoken to him about his wedding reception; he then came to
see our show, and he booked us there and then! He told me that as soon as
I started to sing the opening number "I would do Anything For Love", he
turned to his fiancee and said "This is what we have been looking for"!
Even though we quoted a far higher fee we got the booking. He also went on
to say I was far more convincing in looks and my vocal impersonation was
spot on, with more power and range.
So it just goes to show, just because we haven't been on Stars in their eyes, doesn't mean we are not as good as those who have, or even far better!
How do the press rate us?
Here are 2 Quotes from Mark Ritchie, music critic of the Stage and Television Newspaper
Matt Shaw Review 2003:
"If you are going to do a tribute to Meat Loaf you need vocal
power and a big range to pull it off, sadly on this performance Matt was
sadly lacking in both departments."
Dean Torkington Review 2000:
"Awesome! Not only has the look of the great man himself, but
boasts the most powerful rock voice I have ever heard amongst Meat Loaf
impersonators, STUNNING!"
New Tour Bus! - No more Travel Inns!!! Yippee!!!
Due
to increased work schedule, and bookings further and farther afield,
[Germany/Holland] we have invested in an Autocruise Starblazer motorhome/tour
bus. Having all the luxuries you find at home - TV, Shower, DVD, Video,
central heating, cooker/oven, microwave, 2 King Size beds, lounge/dining
room etc, I am sure it will make life on the road a lot easier. Only
downside is, it's 25 ft long and the trailer is 13 ft long!
Thanks
to Tony and Jody at Marquis Motorhomes, Riversway Leisure, Preston - Tel:
01772 731313 - salesmen who know all there is to know about motorhomes,
and they certainly won't put you into the wrong vehicle, unlike Ken [Fred
Elliot] at Todds Motorhomes! Look out for us on the road, you can't miss
the new trailer either. Maz chose the bright purple, dont blame me!
SUPPORTING
CRAIG DAVID AT THE ROSEBOWL STADIUM!
We
are proud to announce that we will be supporting R&B singer Craig David at
the Roseball Stadium, Southampton, on Saturday, 25th February 2006! Here's
Craig in action - where's the Kestrel??
Hard Rock Casino Manchester...
Another
date just added to our Grosvenor Casino tour is the Hard Rock Cafe Casino;
this is one of the most prestigious venues within the Grosvenor group, and
has been host to many international stars. We are appearing there on
Thursday 6th October 05
MY BEST MATE!!
Bob
Meeks saw our show about 3 years ago now, at a club called Cranleigh
British Legion; he is one of Meat Loaf's biggest fans, and as he has
stated in our guestbook many times, he is our No.1 fan! Bob and Eileen are
two of the nicest people you could ever wish to meet. Bob has been there
for us from the first time he saw us; he will tell you that before I came
out on stage he was finishing his pint and putting his coat on, because he
thought no one could do Meat Loaf justice, as he had seen 2 other Meat
Loaf tributes previously and wasn't impressed! I'm glad he stayed that
night
because
he has become my best mate, he has been there for us on all the Meat Loaf
related websites singing our praises. Well, its time for me to do the
same.
Bob, I consider it an honour to
know you, you are without doubt the most sincere person I have met in my
travels, you are one of Meat's biggest fans, and it shows. There have been
times when I have been down with all the crap that goes with this
business; thanks for being there for us both and for fighting our corner.
Thanks also for travelling 200-plus miles to see the show last week. Love
to you both
Dean
and Maz xx
Here's some pics of Bob and his lovely lady Eileen having lunch with us at home, with Tyler my pet parrot, who now sings the whole of Bat Out of Hell - he's going on tour with us as a backing singer!!
RADIO INTERVIEWS...NEW in Audio Samples! - 2 interviews starring your hero.
The first is on BBC Radio Lancashire with Ted Robbins and Phoenix Nights star Peter Kay. This was recorded at the height of the foot&mouth disease epidemic, so there are plenty of references to MEAT and even my mate PEAT LOAF.
The second is an interview with Stewart McFarlane on BBC Radio Cleveland. This was recorded in 2003 when rumours were rife that Meat Loaf was buying a house near Hartlepool! A few other star guests are also featured.
MORE FANTASTIC NEWS!!!
We
are absolutely DELIGHTED!!! to have secured yet another major contract! TO
HELL & BACK have been chosen to perform at the majority of Chicago Rock
Cafe venues throughout the UK for the remainder of 05! This is a major
tour and the repeat bookings should see us well into 2007, Thanks to all
who have put faith in our show, making us the most popular Meat Loaf
tribute in the UK.
We will be announcing the Chicago Rock dates next week, or check your local press for dates.
FANTASTIC NEWS!!
We
are thrilled to announce that TO HELL AND BACK have secured the contract
to perform at the prestigious venues that are Grosvenor Casinos! We will
be performing at all 35 Casinos throughout the UK. We are confident that
the repeat work from these venues will take us well into 2007. Look out
for us at a town near you - check press for details.
Turbosound TXD Series PA - Rock Royalty with a bourgeois attitude
We
are pleased to announce we have just taken delivery of a new PA system,
and it is Awesome!. Having had JBL, Peavey, Pro Logic and Das speakers
[all good makes], we thought we would have a look at Turbosound; they are
without doubt the best speakers we have ever come across by far. To all
those who have seen our show and commented on our quality sound, wait till
you hear these!!!! Soul singer Steven Bayliss recently bought the same
Turbosound gear and he is also amazed at the superior sound quality. Also
used by Dave Bowie, Oasis, and Phil Collins.
Any acts looking for a great deal on Turbosound get down to MA Amps in Standish - great service from guys who are gigging musos and know what they are talking about! Ring Michael or Paul on 01257 426923 or visit www.maamps.com. For reviews on Turbosounds NEW TXD Series go to www.turbosound.com
SHUTTLEWORTH AERODROME
Here are some pics from the show, playing to a crowd of 2000. We will be back there next year due to popular demand!
NEW STAGE PROP!
We have just bought a new Honda Goldwing. Although we will continue to use our low rider chopper bike in the show, the GoldWing will be used for the many outdoor festivals/shows we are doing this year.
Many thanks to our new sponsors Bill Head Motorcycles of Preston
UNSUNG HEROES - SOUND CREW, LIGHTING TECHS AND ROADIES
These are the guys that hardly ever get a mention, so we thought we would! -The sound and lighting techs, and the roadies, they all work so hard behind the scenes and without them [all experts in their chosen field] there would be no concerts! So, from us to them, THANKS GUYS! - you do a great job! We know what's involved!!
MEAT LOVES TEDDY BEARS!
What a night at the M E N Arena [Sunday December 21st 03]! - We arrived in a stretch limo, slightly intoxicated thanks to Jack Daniels! [see pics below] We heard Meat collects stuffed toys, so we took him a large red and white teddy. We handed it to Meat's road crew and settled down for the show - and what a show Meat gave us! - His voice was back to its best after his health problems, he gave us a night to treasure!
MEAT WANTS TO MEET ME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The
next day I received an email from Meat himself; here it is in brief: "Hi
Dean, thanks for the bear. He's going back home with us to be our
Christmas bear, we don't have a tree so he is going to be our Christmas
bear and all the presents are going round him. If you want tickets for the
13th Jan let me know, maybe you can sing johnny b goode with me!!!!!!!!
all the best, Meat."
A NIGHT WE WILL TREASURE FOR EVER!
Last
night we arrived at the M E N and went to the box office. Sure enough Maz
and I had 2 front row ARTISTS GUESTS! tickets and 2 access all areas back
stage passes! After a fantastic show we were ushered through a maze of
corridors to a backstage canteen; we were the only ones back apart from a
lovely couple and their 2 children who had been sitting next to us through
the concert. We've waited about 15 minutes when Meat saunters in wearing
an overcoat and scarf, he is asking if there is any ice available for his
water, he pulls up a chair and sits next to me!! He chatted to Lewis
first, Lewis was great as were his Mum and Dad. He then turns to me and
says "Dean HI!!!!!!" We talked about this and that, he thanked us for the
bear, I thanked him for giving me a great job! I said it's better than my
last job, furniture restoration! He went on to tell me he had a friend who
did that for a living etc. etc. It was a day I will treasure for ever - to
finally meet the man, having been a fan since '78, was a dream come true;
he shook my hand and gave Maz and me a hug. He was nothing like his loud,
over-the-top on-stage persona, in fact he was a really soft-spoken, quiet,
gentle, man. Some people meet their idols and are dissapointed, we weren't
- he was (is) a true star!!!!!!!!
A GREAT MOMENT, MEAT SPENT AT LEAST 30 MINUTES WITH US
TELEWEST ARENA 19th JAN 2004
What
a great night! yet again Meat gave us a great show, thats the 4th show we
have seen on this tour. He was again amazing!
After the show we got called back to meet him again; we didn't have any back stage passes this time and we were not on the meet and greet list!!!!! how amazing is that? Heres the pic - no wonder I'm looking shell-shocked!
OUR SECOND MEETING
IN THREE SHOWS!
2 OUT OF 3 AIN'T BAD!
WE MEET MEATLOAF'S ROAD CREW
On
the way home from a great gig at the Iron Door, Birkenhead (see next
months 'THE BUZZ' magazine), we stopped for a coffee at Chester Services.
We were amazed to see a large yellow tour bus pull up alongside us. 'Bet
that's someone big,' we thought.
A big guy and two others got out and started walking towards us. 'Mind if we take some photos of you guys?' said the big guy in a broad American accent! 'Sure, but who are you?' said Dean.
It
was Meatloaf's Road Crew!!! I don't know who was more surprised, us or
them. They wanted to know all about our show, so we showed them the
motorbike and the bat backdrop. After taking loads of photos they promised
to email us and Meatloaf with the jpeg pics (still waiting guys!). They
were on their way to the ferry for Ireland and had just come from the
Leeds gig. After giving us some Meatloaf freebies we said our goodbyes,
what a great bunch of guys! We met up again at the Liverpool gig when
Bernie and Tony let us have a sneak preview of the stage in the morning.
When the day of the Liverpool gig
arrived we were determined to get there early - 10.00am in fact. After a
very long day Meatloaf and his entourage arrived in the late (very hot)
afternoon. Unfortunately he did not stop at the gate to talk to the fans,
who like
us
had waited patiently for him all day, oh well, maybe next time.
As for the gig itself, unfortunately we did not have a very good view, and the sound in our area could have been better, but our mates Pat and Rick from 100% Biker Magazine were nearer the front and will be publishing a full concert review, and pics in next months issue of the mag. Check them out at www.100-biker.co.uk. More news next month.
Rocking At The Stadium: May 16th Dorchester - REVIEWS AND PICTURES
Although the weather was against us, the event was a great success. Here are a few pics of the preparation for the show, as a taster for the stage shots coming very soon. Click on the thumbnail for a larger image.
David Johansen (Agent); Court Productions (Promoter); and the PA and lighting guys - they did a great job!
Quotes:
Wessex Radio: "Just like Meatloaf"
Court Productions: "A class act! - Fantastic!"
David Johansen: "A great show! - Booking you for next year!"
Click here for the stadium website..
Phoenix Nights
Look out for Peter Kay's Phoenix Nights Thursday 12th September, Channel 4. Having seen Dean perform at Rivington Barn, Bolton, Peter asked if he could portray our show in a bit of a send up. Having been on the set when it was filmed I'm sure you will find it very funny.
"Limosines, Champagne & Chocolates"
Now we all know that Meat Loaf likes to make an entrance and this occasion was no exception. Chauffeur driven to the gig at "Stars and Bars" Dean and Maz enjoyed the decadent taste of champagne and truffles in the back. Dean was heard to remark, "I could get used to this!" And why not? It's Rock n Roll and anything goes!
Dean
certainly gave a good display against Jimmy White. A lot of the crowd
thought he was there as a fun element of the proceedings.
However Jimmy broke off and let Dean in straight away. Dean potted red, black, red, black, red, at which point he told Jimmy to sit down! It was then that he bobbled his third consecutive black leaving Jimmy in to make a 62 break. He let Dean in again who potted a red and pink then red and yellow. Jimmy then cleared the rest of the colours. Final score - Jimmy White: 90. Meatloaf: 27.
Jimmy promised to keep in touch and will be watching Dean this year in London.
Thanks
to Meatloaf
A couple of weeks ago I received a parcel from L A addressed to me personally it was hand written I couldn't believe it when I opened it it was from Meat Loaf himself! If you are reading this thank you ever so much meat. I think you're cool to! I'm not worthy!
Dean Visits BBC's Radio Lancashire...
"I
love this man", said Meatloaf impersonator, Dean Torkington, Peter's
co-star on BBC Radio Lancashire's Jim Bowen programme.
After hearing Dean sing Peter Kay star of Phoenix Nights Channel 4, said:
"I could not tell the difference between Dean and Meatloaf!"
Visit Peter Kay's website : www.peterkay.co.uk
After many requests here is my wife Maz - Roadie, Vocals, Costume Maker, Sound & Lighting Controller, PA, Guitarist and Personal Therapist - One in a million. I couldn't have done it without her!
