NOT many 65-year-old Texans with dodgy knees can manage to captivate and wow an audience for more than two and a half hours.

Meat Loaf did just that – managed it. And the near sell-out crowd at the Metro Radio Arena present for the first night of his farewell tour loved him all the more for that.

Back in 2007, Meat Loaf had to cut short a show in the same venue but, nearly six years on – and knee replacement surgery - the heavyweight rocker looked in fine fettle as he rattled through his admirable cache, playing an hour of hits like Dead Ringer For Love and Objects In The Rear View Mirror before performing his 1977 Bat Out Of Hell album in its entirety.

Years of performing at full-tilt and various throat troubles have left Loaf's voice in a sorry state. He was adamant before the first night that he could still hit the high notes, but sadly that was not the case. It was understandable. How many Meat Loaf cover versions are out there? Not many, because not many can hit the notes that he can – or at least could.

Loaf was able to call upon the fine Neverland Express backing band and long-time co-singer Patti Russo, who carried the main man through the set, while the audience faithfully sang along in perfect tune. Including me.

His performance of his most famous album brought back happy memories for everyone there, however, they were oddly interspersed with interviews taken directly from VH1's Classic Albums series. The appearance of long-time songwriter Jim Steinman drew feverish applause from the audience.

Rumours abounded afterwards that the inclusion of the clips was to allow Meat to leave the stage and take in oxygen in between songs.

Some may say Meat Loaf should have retired years ago. But the encore alone – I Would Do Anything For Love a highlight – shows that there is life in the old dog yet. Retirement awaits, but his music will live on.