Meat Loaf answers gig complaints

Meat Loaf performed some well-known hits in his set

Rock star Meat Loaf has responded to criticisms of his live performance after a number of fans walked out of a concert in Hampshire before the end.

His spokesman David Cox said there were "no problems" with the sound system and added that "he does not drink".

Fans on the Safe Concerts message board called the gig "disappointing" and said Meat Loaf's vocals were below par.

A reporter at the Broadlands event said the gig was marred by sound problems, but called him "a consummate old pro".

The reviewer on the This Is Hampshire website did concede that some fans were "muttering about the quality, and walked out well before the end".

Health problems

Mr Cox also said that the poor weather at the stately home was beyond the star's control.

"Since last year he has had vocal training to get his voice back up to scratch and his real fans will have heard that on Sunday.

"Meat Loaf put on the kind of fantastic show fans have come to expect," he added.

Meat Loaf has suffered health problems in the past, leading to his concerts to be curtailed or cancelled.

Last year, acute laryngitis led him to shelve UK gigs.

He was later diagnosed as having a cyst on his vocal cord.

In 2003, the musician underwent surgery for an irregular heartbeat after collapsing on stage.

Meat Loaf was one of the final performers at the Broadlands three-day music event near Romsey, which also featured Boyzone and Katie Melua on the bill.