Jim Steinman

James Richard Steinman (born November 1, 1948 in New York City, New York) (more commonly known as Jim Steinman) is an American rock and musical theater composer. He is notable for having written most of

James Richard Steinman (born November 1, 1948 in New York City, New York) (more commonly known as Jim Steinman) is an American rock and musical theater composer. He is notable for having written most of Meat Loaf's hit songs, in addition to hits for many other musical artists. His two biggest musical successes are Bat Out of Hell and Total Eclipse of the Heart.

While he was a student at Amherst College in Massachusetts he wrote the book, music, lyrics and starred in a play named The Dream Engine (1969), about Revolution. The story is set in a distant future, and is about a young boy named Baal. He and his rebel fellows don't accept the restraints of their society. He is the leader of a group of wild boys called The Tribe, and they lived outside the city. Their mortal enemies are Max and Emily, the parents of the Girl, a young woman with whom Baal has fallen in love. Steinman played Baal in the original production. It was quite visionary and ahead of his time. Some themes from Steinman's later songs can already be heard here, like the "Turn Around" line in Total Eclipse of the Heart. This show was remade 8 years later as Neverland (see below).