Neverland Express


The Neverland Express is the name for American singer Meat Loaf's live band. The name is most likely taken from Meat Loaf's collaborator Jim Steinman's affinity for Peter Pan.

Band lineups

1977–78 (''Bat Out Of Hell'')

Note: Paul Jacobs made his debut during this tour after Jim Steinman departed due to exhaustion.

1981–82

''Dead Ringer''

Note: George Borowski was the guitar tech during the '81/'82 period, but often played with the band onstage, especially during encores. By the end of the tour, he had become the opening act.

1983 (''Midnight At The Lost And Found'')

20/20 World Tour ''Blind Before I Stop'' (1986-87)

Note: Paul Jacobs is credited for piano on the 1987 Live at Wembley album, but it is unknown whether this was an ongoing or temporary position.

Lost Boys and Golden Girls / ''Bat Out Of Hell 10th Anniversary'' Tour (1988)

Note: At one point in the 1988 tour, Stevie Lange filled in for one of the Goff sisters.

1989–1992 (Pubs and Clubs Era)

Various band members passed through during this time period, and no firm info is known on exactly when people started and ended their employment. However, it is known that Pat Thrall and Dave Gellis both filled the lead guitar position at various points during this period, that Martin Gerschwitz and Mark Alexander both handled the keyboard position, that Cindy Thrall was apparently a background vocalist in 1990, that Patti Russo joined around 1992, and that the core of the last certainly-known lineup were still intact, until John Miceli replaced Burgi in 1991.
Adding to the confusion, the liner notes for , after the standard credits for session musicians and amongst Meat Loaf's management team and other miscellaneous thank you's, list the following people as part of "The Band".

"The Band"

Everything Louder Tour ''Bat Out Of Hell II: Back Into Hell'' (1993-94)

Early Promo Concerts (Germany and Amsterdam)

Note: Carolyn "C.C." Coletti–Jablonski replaced Renee Cologne in October 2003.

2005–06 (Hair of the Dog Tour)

Note: Following the abrupt end of this tour in October 2007, Meat Loaf announced on BBC–TV that Patti Russo would be returning to her role as female lead vocalist in 2008.

2008 (Casa de Carne Tour)

''Hang Cool'' Tour ''Hang Cool Teddy Bear'' (June–December 2010)
Note: Carolyn "C.C." Coletti-Jablonski departed the band following the conclusion of the U.S. tour in September, and was not a part of the European leg from October to its close.

''Hell In A Handbasket''

Guilty Pleasure Tour (October 2011)
Note: Justin Avery returned for the final three performances following an extended bereavement leave. Cian Coey replaced Lyssa Lynne in the 2014 season.

2015–16 (in concert)

Note: Tom Brislin appeared as pianist on the 2016 tour while Justin Avery was on paternity leave.