Patricia Russo (May 20, 1964) is an American singer and songwriter. She is perhaps best known as
Meat Loaf
Michael Lee Aday (born Marvin Lee Aday; September 27, 1947 – January 20, 2022), known professionally as Meat Loaf, was an American rock singer and actor. He was noted for his powerful, wide-ranging voice and theatrical live shows. He is on t ...
's former female lead vocalist, as she toured the world with his band
Neverland Express
Meat Loaf’s Neverland Express was the rotating backing band for the late American singer Meat Loaf.
Band lineups
1977–78 (''Bat Out of Hell'')
* Bob Kulick: lead guitars
* Bruce Kulick: guitars
* Steve Buslowe: bass, vocals
* Jim Steinman: ...
between 1993 and 2013. Since then, she has embarked on a solo career.
Career (1993–2013)
Patti Russo is featured as Meat Loaf's duet partner on numerous albums, singles and videos. Russo has also been featured as Meat Loaf's opening act, debuting her own original material. She debuted her solo song "Bring Me a Bible and a Beer" during Meat Loaf's shows on the 2008
Casa de Carne Tour. Russo has recorded duets on all of Meat Loaf's albums since 1995.
Russo has also sung lead vocals with groups such as
Trans-Siberian Orchestra
Trans-Siberian Orchestra (TSO) is an American rock band founded in 1996 by producer, composer, and lyricist Paul O'Neill, who brought together Jon Oliva and Al Pitrelli (both members of Savatage) and keyboardist and co-producer Robert Kinkel ...
(TSO) and
Queen
Queen or QUEEN may refer to:
Monarchy
* Queen regnant, a female monarch of a Kingdom
** List of queens regnant
* Queen consort, the wife of a reigning king
* Queen dowager, the widow of a king
* Queen mother, a queen dowager who is the mother ...
. She sang the role of Theresa, Beethoven's Immortal Beloved, on the TSO album ''
Beethoven's Last Night
''Beethoven's Last Night'' is a rock opera by the Trans-Siberian Orchestra, released in 2000. The album tells the fictional story of Ludwig van Beethoven on the last night of his life, as the devil, Mephistopheles, comes to collect his soul. Wit ...
'' and was featured with TSO as a soloist on the soundtrack to the
Jim Carrey movie ''
How the Grinch Stole Christmas
''How the Grinch Stole Christmas!'' is a Christmas children's story by Theodor "Dr. Seuss" Geisel written in rhymed verse with illustrations by the author. It follows the Grinch, a grouchy, solitary creature who tries to cancel Christmas by st ...
''. She performed with the rock group Queen, singing lead at the Queen's Day Festival in
Amsterdam
Amsterdam ( , , , lit. ''The Dam on the River Amstel'') is the capital and most populous city of the Netherlands, with The Hague being the seat of government. It has a population of 907,976 within the city proper, 1,558,755 in the urban ar ...
and at their induction into the Hollywood Walk of Fame. She toured as a soloist with the Jon Tiven Band (in
Italy
Italy ( it, Italia ), officially the Italian Republic, ) or the Republic of Italy, is a country in Southern Europe. It is located in the middle of the Mediterranean Sea, and its territory largely coincides with the homonymous geographical ...
) and the SAS Band (in the
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom (UK) or Britain, is a country in Europe, off the north-western coast of the European mainland, continental mainland. It comprises England, Scotlan ...
). Russo is featured as a lead vocalist in the SAS Band's new DVD ''Motown 2 Memphis''. In 2009-2010, Russo performed in
Cher's Las Vegas shows.
As a songwriter, Russo's song "Take Good Care of My Heart" is featured as the theme song in the Warner Brothers feature ''South Beach Dreams''. The song was co-produced by composer-producer Fred Weinberg. She also co-wrote the
Meat Loaf
Michael Lee Aday (born Marvin Lee Aday; September 27, 1947 – January 20, 2022), known professionally as Meat Loaf, was an American rock singer and actor. He was noted for his powerful, wide-ranging voice and theatrical live shows. He is on t ...
single "
Runnin' for the Red Light (I Gotta Life)
"Runnin' for the Red Light (I Gotta Life)" is a song composed and written by Harry Vanda, George Young, Patti Russo, Sarah Durkee, and Meat Loaf. The song's chorus is lifted from INXS and Jimmy Barnes' cover of "Good Times" by Australian rock ...
". Her song "Bible and a Beer", co-written with guitarist Jon Tiven, was recorded by jazz singer Betty Harris. Russo's own original recordings can be found on her Spotify page.
As an actress, Russo played the lead role of Esmeralda in the
London
London is the capital and List of urban areas in the United Kingdom, largest city of England and the United Kingdom, with a population of just under 9 million. It stands on the River Thames in south-east England at the head of a estuary dow ...
production of ''
Notre Dame de Paris
Notre-Dame de Paris (; meaning "Our Lady of Paris"), referred to simply as Notre-Dame, is a medieval Catholic cathedral on the Île de la Cité (an island in the Seine River), in the 4th arrondissement of Paris. The cathedral, dedicated to the ...
''. She played the character of "Killer Queen" in the
Las Vegas
Las Vegas (; Spanish for "The Meadows"), often known simply as Vegas, is the 25th-most populous city in the United States, the most populous city in the state of Nevada, and the county seat of Clark County. The city anchors the Las Vegas ...
version of the musical ''
We Will Rock You
"We Will Rock You" is a song written by Brian May and recorded by British rock band Queen for their 1977 album ''News of the World''. ''Rolling Stone'' ranked it number 330 of " The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time" in 2004, and it placed at num ...
'', based on the music of
Queen
Queen or QUEEN may refer to:
Monarchy
* Queen regnant, a female monarch of a Kingdom
** List of queens regnant
* Queen consort, the wife of a reigning king
* Queen dowager, the widow of a king
* Queen mother, a queen dowager who is the mother ...
. She guest-starred in the
New York City
New York, often called New York City or NYC, is the most populous city in the United States. With a 2020 population of 8,804,190 distributed over , New York City is also the most densely populated major city in the Un ...
musicals ''The 12'' and ''The Rock Tenor'' and the ''Night of Broadway'' benefit shows.
Russo's television credits include ''
The Tonight Show with Jay Leno
''The Tonight Show with Jay Leno'' is an American late-night talk show hosted by Jay Leno that first aired from May 25, 1992, to May 29, 2009. It resumed production on March 1, 2010 and ended on February 6, 2014.
The fourth incarnation of the ...
'', ''
Late Show with David Letterman'', ''
The View'', ''
Entertainment Tonight'', ''
Don't Forget the Lyrics
''Don't Forget the Lyrics!'' is an international game show in the United States. The American show originally aired on Fox from July 11, 2007, to June 19, 2009, and after a year off the air, a third overall season, and first as a syndicated sh ...
'', Qcheck,
Huckabee
''Huckabee'', formerly on Fox News, is a TV political commentary program, following the basic format of a late-night talk variety show, on TBN hosted by former Republican Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee. It premiered on Fox News on September 2 ...
, Lopez Tonight, The USA Music Challenge, Top of the Pops, Brit Awards, American Music Awards, Party in the Park- Hyde Park UK, Prince's Trust - UK, Pres. Clinton's 2nd Inaugural Ball - Washington, D.C., NRL Grand Finals - Sydney, AFL Grand Finals - Melbourne, Night of the Proms - Belgium, Germany, Netherlands. Russo has been featured with
Meat Loaf
Michael Lee Aday (born Marvin Lee Aday; September 27, 1947 – January 20, 2022), known professionally as Meat Loaf, was an American rock singer and actor. He was noted for his powerful, wide-ranging voice and theatrical live shows. He is on t ...
in numerous
MTV and
VH1 music specials including ''The History of Meat Loaf Live'', ''Live in the Neighborhood'', ''On Tour'' (PBS), ''
Behind the Music
''Behind the Music'' is a documentary television series on VH1. Each episode profiles and interviews a popular musical artist or group. The program examines the beginning of their career, their road to success, and the hardships they may have ...
'', ''
VH1: Storytellers'', ''Hard Rock Live'', ''Live in Mexico City'' and ''Guilty Pleasure Live''.
Russo has performed for numerous charitable benefits including
Battersea Dogs and Cats Home
Battersea Dogs & Cats Home (now known as Battersea) is an animal rescue centre for dogs and cats. Battersea rescues dogs and cats until an owner or a new one can be found. It is one of the UK's oldest and best known animal rescue centres. It w ...
,
Covenant House
Covenant House is a large, Catholic, privately funded agency in the Americas, whose primary purpose is to promote Catholicism. It provides shelter, food, immediate crisis care, and other services to homeless and runaway young people. Covenant Ho ...
,
The Painted Turtle
The Painted Turtle is a Summer camp located near Lake Elizabeth in Lake Hughes, California. The camp is for children who are faced with life-threatening and chronic illnesses. Many of these children would not have the opportunity to have a cam ...
,
The Prince's Trust
The Prince's Trust ( cy, Ymddiriedolaeth y Tywysog) is a charity in the United Kingdom founded in 1976 by King Charles III (then Prince of Wales) to help vulnerable young people get their lives on track. It supports 11-to-30-year-olds who are u ...
, breast cancer research, Hurricane Katrina relief,
Blythedale Children's Hospital, Rock Against Cancer,
Starkey Hearing Foundation, and Queen AIDS charity concert.
Solo career (2014–present)
Russo pursued a solo career afterwards. She started with the release of an EP and a live tour in April 2014.
HOW ARE YA, 5-0H! tour
Russo's first tour – HOW ARE YA, 5-0H! – kicked off at The Brook in
Southampton
Southampton () is a port city in the ceremonial county of Hampshire in southern England. It is located approximately south-west of London and west of Portsmouth. The city forms part of the South Hampshire built-up area, which also covers Po ...
on April 10, 2014.
Typical setlist
# "
It's a Beautiful Day"
# "
Don't Stop Me Now
"Don't Stop Me Now" is a song by the British rock band Queen featured on their 1978 album ''Jazz'' that was released as a single in 1979. Written by lead singer Freddie Mercury, it was recorded in August 1978 at Super Bear Studios in Berre-le ...
"
# "
I'd Lie for You (And That's the Truth)
"I'd Lie for You (And That's the Truth)" is a song composed and written by Diane Warren, and recorded by Meat Loaf and Patti Russo. The song was released in October 1995 as the first single from Meat Loaf's seventh studio album, '' Welcome to ...
"
# "
Bring Me a Bible and a Beer"
# "
In the Tomatoes
IN, In or in may refer to:
Places
* India (country code IN)
* Indiana, United States (postal code IN)
* Ingolstadt, Germany (license plate code IN)
* In, Russia, a town in the Jewish Autonomous Oblast
Businesses and organizations
* Independ ...
"
# "
Black Velvet"
# "
Dead Ringer for Love
"Dead Ringer for Love" is a song performed by American rock singer Meat Loaf and American singer-actress Cher from Meat Loaf's second studio album, '' Dead Ringer''. The song was written by Jim Steinman and one of only two tracks on the album prod ...
"
# "
Vision of You
"Vision of You" is a song by American singer Belinda Carlisle, released as the fifth single from her third solo album, ''Runaway Horses'' (1989). The song was released on May 14, 1990, in the United Kingdom and reached number 41. A year later, it ...
"
# "
Here We Are"
# "
Baby Love
"Baby Love" is a song by American music group the Supremes from their second studio album, '' Where Did Our Love Go''. It was written and produced by Motown's main production team Holland–Dozier–Holland and was released on September 17, 1964 ...
"
# "
I Don't Give a Damn"
# "
Whole Lot of Nothing"
# "
Long Train Running
"Long Train Runnin" (or "Long Train Running") is a song recorded by the Doobie Brothers and written by band member Tom Johnston. It was included on the band's 1973 album '' The Captain and Me'' and was released as a single, becoming a hit and pe ...
"
# "
One Door Opens"
# "
River Deep - Mountain High
A river is a natural flowing watercourse, usually freshwater, flowing towards an ocean, sea, lake or another river. In some cases, a river flows into the ground and becomes dry at the end of its course without reaching another body of wate ...
"
Russo also appeared at the
Isle of Wight Festival
The Isle of Wight Festival is a British music festival which takes place annually in Newport on the Isle of Wight, England. It was originally a counterculture event held from 1968 to 1970.
The 1970 event was by far the largest of these early ...
in the
Strongbow Garden on Sunday 15 June 2014
and at Sommerfest in Norway in August 2014. She performed 5 shows in 2015 in Wavendon, Bury St. Edmunds, London, Southampton, and Leeds.
In summer 2015 Russo released a new single, titled "When it Comes to Love", with Belgian producers and DJs Regi and Lester Williams. The song was written by Russo and Tonino Speciale and recorded in summer 2014 and was initially being considered for the 2015 James Bond film Spectre. Remixed by Regi and Lester Williams featuring Patti’s original vocals, When it Comes to Love was released on 31 August.
In 2017, Russo toured as a lead vocalist with Symphonic Rhapsody of Queen.
References
External links
*
*
*
* Studio Vide
{{DEFAULTSORT:Russo, Patti
1964 births
Living people
American women singer-songwriters
American heavy metal singers
American rock songwriters
American women heavy metal singers
American people of Italian descent
Neverland Express members
Singer-songwriters from New Jersey
Meat Loaf