Showbiz

Meat Loaf slammed for Australian Football League Final performance

Published Monday, Oct 3 2011, 03:51 BST | By Rebecca Davies | Add comment

Meat Loaf has been widely criticised for his performance at the Australian Football League Grand Final at the weekend.

The 64-year-old rocker, who was reportedly paid more than $500,000 (£310,345) for the gig, appeared out of breath, mumbled into the microphone and failed to hit most of the notes during a 12-minute medley of hits such as 'Bat Out of Hell' and 'I Would Do Anything for Love'.

AFL boss Andrew Demetriou admitted to Triple J radio that the entertainment was "a bit flat overall" but insisted that Meat Loaf "gave it his best".

When asked if he thought the musician took the performance seriously, Demetriou said: "We couldn't have everything go well."

Sport and music fans took to Twitter to complain about the singing. One comment read: "Not enough gravy in the world to make that Meat Loaf good."

The singer told the Sunday Herald Sun after being on stage: "I was ecstatic. I put a lot of hard work into the medley and I loved the performance."

One fan at the stadium, however, said: "As a Meat Loaf fan, that was very sad to watch and listen to."

Another added: "Terrible. I really wonder how much money they spent on it and if it was worth it."

> Meat Loaf faints at concert for second time
> Meat Loaf: 'I want to die on stage'

Kelly Clarkson received rave reviews after performing at the National Rugby League Grand Final the next day.

Aussie actor Hugh Jackman recently revealed that singing at an Aussie sports Grand Final in 1996 was the "most scared" he has ever been in his career.

Watch Meat Loaf perform 'Bat Out of Hell' live below: