Watch CBS News

Steven Tyler Ripped For National Anthem Performance

FOXBORO (CBS) — Aerosmith lead singer and American Idol judge Steven Tyler isn't getting much praise for his performance of the National Anthem at the AFC Championship game on Sunday.

The Gillette Stadium crowd roared after he was done, but some online reviews weren't as sparkling as the Patriots scarf he wore to the game.

Deadspin called it one of the worst anthems of all time.

Radar Online said he got all the words right and that's about it.

Several others complained on Twitter, including one person who said it sounded like someone putting "a raccoon out of its misery."

A New England Patriots fan, the 63-year-old Aerosmith frontman warbled "The Star-Spangled Banner" before the New England Patriots played the Baltimore Ravens. He missed the high note and butchered some of the lyrics ("oh the land of the free"). Heckling began before his performance ended.

On Twitter, it's being described with terms like screech and mangle. CBSNews.com's "American Idol" blogger, Chris Matyszczyk, described it like this: "It was that Steven Tyler had sung the national anthem at the AFC Championship game in a manner that might have frightened the Alien back into John Hurt's intestines."

Some defended the performance, saying it was only what could be expected. "I knew 'the scream' was coming!," tweeted country singer Jason Michael Carroll.

What did you think?

Share your thoughts in the comments section below.

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.