Illinois Company Apologizes For Really Bad Timing On Meatloaf Recipe

Last Friday, we got the bad news that long-time rock superstar Meat Loaf (real name: Marvin Lee Aday) had passed away the day before at the age of 74.

However, it should be understood that not everyone heard or saw that news first thing in the morning, including the person at Weber Grills who's in charge of posting the recipe-of-the-week via email and social media.

They soon learned of their error.

Weber Grills Are Based Right Here In Illinois, In Palatine

According to the Weber Grills website, after the end of World War II, a guy named George Stephen, Sr. just wanted a way to enjoy a good steak. Grills, or barbeques of that time were notorious for not performing well in wet or windy conditions.

George had himself a lightbulb moment, and got cracking on an idea he'd had for improving grilling for Americans.

Weber.com:

Back at the metal works, where he worked, his idea began to take shape as he chopped a metal buoy in half, added air vents and legs and the original kettle barbecue was born. He realized it looked more than a bit weird, but he proudly took it home to try it out. His neighbors only stopped laughing at the spaceship, as they called it, when they tasted the steak that George cooked for them on it. Now everybody wanted one.

Here's the first Weber grill that went on sale in 1952 under the name "George's Barbecue Kettle:"

Not Long After The Meatloaf Recipe Came Out, So Did Weber's Apology To Meat Loaf

And, giving credit where credit is due---Weber's mea culpa was a good one (per Associated Press):

At the time we shared this recipe with you, we were not aware of the unfortunate passing of American singer and actor Mr. Marvin Lee Aday, also known as Meat Loaf. We want to express our deepest apologies for this oversight and for any offense this email may have caused.