Ellen Foley, a featured vocalist on one of the biggest-selling rock albums of all time, Meat Loaf’s Bat Out of Hell, takes a little time just ahead of the release of her new album to have a chat with us. Ellen Foley’s passionate and commanding voice, combined with her acting talent and dance moves, has paved the way for a long and diverse career.
In your wildest dreams did you ever think that your appearance on Meatloaf’s ‘Bat Out of Hell’ would become such a monster hit?
No, I wasn’t thinking that at the time. I was just there in the moment. I had already worked with both Jim Steinman and Meat Loaf in the National Lampoon roadshow, so we were already steadfast partners by the time it came to record Bat Out of Hell. The sessions went great and I thought it would be received well, but I had no idea that it would go on to become a radio staple and rock classic.
Were there any negatives in being involved in such a massive hit?
For a while the fact that the video of “Paradise by the Dashboard Light” was all over the place — and it was largely assumed that Karla was singing the vocals — that was kind of a drag. But over the years, people slowly began to realize that it was my voice on the record.
We were looking forward to the video but when it came out it featured Karla DeVito. Were you unavailable at the time?
I was involved with the Broadway revival of Hair at the time, and I couldn’t just up and leave that production to tour with Meat Loaf. Plus, I already had a solo record deal with Cleveland International and was working on demos for my first album, Nightout.
I remember buying your debut album Nightout because of your standout vocal delivery. Would you like to share some memories of that record.
As a first-time solo artist, it was amazing to be produced by Ian Hunter and Mick Ronson. They were legends. Luckily, they really understood me and what the record should be, and it turned out beautifully.
On your second album in 1981 you had this little known band called The Clash backing you up. How did that come about?
I was in London doing shows in support of Nightout. I met Mick out at a club. There was an attraction.
What was it like working with Mick and Joe?
You can hear me on the Clash’s Sandinista! and Combat Rock albums, and Mick & Joe also produced my second solo album, Spirit of St. Louis. My solo album was definitely ambitious, and you could say that what we were doing was improvisational. The music ventured into new territory for all of us. We sort of made it up as we went along. The results were unique and boundary-pushing.
Enough of the past and let’s get to the present. How has the global pandemic affected any of your plans for new music or your career?
We didn’t want to sit on the finished album any longer so we just decided to put out Fighting Words. We were fortunate to find a publicist who knew how the current music biz works. He developed a timeline that we followed like clockwork. We’re very pleased with the response so far. We definitely want to do live shows. That plan is coming together now.
How did the news of Jim Steinman’s death affect you?
I knew he had been sick for a really long time but the news still slammed me. A couple of days after I found out, I broke down because I felt that a really important part of me was gone.
Congratulations you have a new album coming out shortly called ‘Fighting Words’. What is significance of the title?
It’s funny, because I think a lot of people don’t have the same sense of the phrase “fighting words.” When I was growing up, westerns were very popular at the movies and on TV, and you’d always see these crusty cowpokes squaring off against one another and saying “Them’s fighting words!” The title seemed appropriate because we named the album during a very dark time. You could say that I wasn’t a fan of the last U.S. president. Every day, we were waking up and trying to maintain our sanity. Fighting Words worked on a lot of different levels.
The last single ‘I’m just happy To Be Here’ features a duet with Karla DeVito. It seems like your careers have intersected frequently. How did the duet come about?
We met during the early ‘80s but I wouldn’t say we were friends at the time. More acquaintances. Karla and I became friendlier several years back when we took part in a tribute concert for Jim Steinman at Michael Feinstein’s Below 54 club in Manhattan. That led to us singing together on Meat Loaf’s Braver Than We Are. When my songwriter Paul Foglino and I started work on what became Fighting Words, I asked him to write a song for Karla and I to sing. “I’m Just Happy to Be Here” is the splendid result.
Tell us about some of the players on the album.
We’ve got Charlie Roth who is involved in my Off-Broadway show, Club Dada, which was written by me and Robert I. Rubinsky. Charlie’s played with Ozzy Osbourne, Rick Derringer, Edgar Winter, and many others. One of the drummers, Steve Goulding, has played with Graham Parker, the Mekons, Gang of Four. My longtime friend Ula Hedwig sings with Darlene Love and she used to be a Harlette with Bette Midler. There’s around a dozen musicians on the album.
With COVID restrictions lifting are there any plans to tour this album. If so, hopefully you will make it up to Canada.
Back in the day, I played Toronto. Everybody was wonderful and warm and I loved being there. No plans to return at present, but you never know!
Is there a moment or memory in your life as a musician that you always want to hold onto? Or a moment that has taught you a lot?
Interesting question. I think recording “Don’t Let Go,” an Ian Hunter song on Nightout, was a pivotal moment. It was just the keyboard player and myself in the booth, performing the track live. It really struck an emotional chord in me — there were tears. It had to do with me realizing that the immediacy and beauty of that moment, they were being captured for all time by the recording technology. Knowing that something so real was being preserved.
When you kick back who are some of the artists you listen to?
The Stones, Neil Young, Crosby Stills & Nash, Billie Eilish, Aimee Mann, Creedence Clearwater Revival.
Any fun facts or hidden talents you would like to share?
I love to garden. I’m a real nature girl when I’m not being a city mouse.
THANK YOU for taking time to have this conversation.
MY PLEASURE!
