There were concerns from Meat Loaf’s representatives about safety in performing on an outside stage.
“It was big news, and given this was our [Ten’s] last grand final, and we had lost the rights earlier in the year to the AFL, the confidentiality part slipped my mind, and I decided I would tell Wallsy,” Barham said.
Meat Loaf’s performance at the AFL grand final in 2011 went down in history.Credit: Getty Images
“He didn’t take it well. He lived his life by fronting up no matter what, and he didn’t take to people who dodged their responsibilities. On air, he gave Meatloaf one of his better sprays … along the lines of ‘he just must front up and perform … he’s being paid a lot of money … it’s just a bit of a drizzle… if he doesn’t perform I will’, and finished with my personal favourite: ‘Just tell the Big Loaf, to harden up and get out there …’
“Wallsy’s on air spray started a bit of a media bushfire and the news spread quickly. 3AW picked up the story and it blew up into a drama.
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“Meatloaf’s man, turned directly to me and launched into me, he was screaming … ‘Walls … who’s Walls” … Walls’ … I looked him straight in the eye and said, ‘I have never heard of him’ … and then turned around and walked away, knowing Wallsy had single-handedly ensured Meatloaf’s half-time show was back on.
“Suffice to say, had it not been for Wallsy, we may not have the Meatloaf memory, something
we have all enjoyed talking about for more than a decade.
“Wallsy, if you are listening to this and you have ended up in the same place as Meatloaf, a warning, he will probably be looking for you, and I suggest an apology might be a good thing … however, if you do see him, tell him it was great TV.”
More to come
