Meatloaf shocker sends shivers down spine

Meatloaf is bringing his Guilty Pleasure tour to New Zealand later this month. Photo / Martin Sykes

Meatloaf has turned in a shocker of a performance ahead of his New Zealand tour.

The Bat out of Hell rocker is scheduled to perform three sold out arena dates around the country at the end of October, but his recent performance at the AFL Grand Final in Australia will concern fans who bought tickets for his shows.

Meatloaf chewed gum, sang out of time and key during a wayward 12-minute medley of hits like You Took the Words Right Out of My Mouth and I Would Do Anything For Love in front of a crowd of tens of thousands.

Arriving on stage at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on a Harley Davidson, Meatloaf launched into a performance that is quickly becoming a viral hit.

AFL chief executive Andrew Demetriou said Meat Loaf - who received around $500,000 for the performance - "gave it his best'' amidst a pre-show that was disappointing.

"I actually think that the pre-match (entertainment) was a bit flat overall and probably, maybe in part due to the weather as well, it just didn't seem to be as much atmosphere going on before the game regardless of who was playing," he said.

"But anyway, (Meat Loaf) gave it his best.''

Viewers were quick to put the boot in, with Em Rusciano saying on Facebook: "Meatloaf picks his own key and sings in his own time. This is trainwrecktastic!"

And John Ginn said: "Worst live performance ever medal... meatloaf... 3 votes."

Meatloaf defended his performance to the Herald Sun, saying: "I was ecstatic. I put a lot of hard work into the medley and I loved the performance."

He made headlines for a performance of a different kind on Celebrity Apprentice when he flew into a rage after accusing actor Gary Busey of stealing his art supplies.

They were later found under a table.

Check out Meatloaf's performance below:

Meatloaf in New Zealand:

October 26: TSB Bank Arena, Wellington
October 28: Bay Park Arena, Tauranga
October 29: Vector Arena, Auckland

- Herald online