Richie Sambora Hits Back At NRL Grand Final Performance Criticism

Former Bon Jovi guitarist Richie Sambora has responded to criticism following his performance at the NRL grand final on Sunday night, which some have labelled as the worst grand final gig in the sport's history. 

The majority of the criticism was directed at the 57-year-old musician's renditions of of Bon Jovi classics, Dead Or Alive and Livin' On A Prayer, which he performed alongside touring partner and girlfriend, Orianthi.

Here's just some of the feedback from the performance, including a tweet from Grinspoon frontman Phil Jamieson who asked the NRL to take over booking duties next year.

Dear @NRL … may I please assist with the booking of the grand final entertainment next year? Thanks, Phil x #airbourne #brucespringsteen

— Phil Jamieson (@philjamieson) October 3, 2016

Richie Sambora putting on a Meatloafisc performance at the NRL Grand Final

— Andrew Taylor (@tails37) October 2, 2016

Can't believe I actually watched and enjoyed the whole #nrl grand final. Shame I had to sit through Richie Sambora and Orianthi though. 

— Ana (@ana74x) October 3, 2016

That's why he wasn't the lead singer of Bon Jovi!! Why would they have him in the first place. https://t.co/O3tRsIETKe

— Modelsfind (@modelsfind) October 3, 2016

@mmmhotbreakfast Richie sambora should apologise for slaughtering Bon Jovis song on Sunday night at the NRL grand final

— Warren Haffenden (@Wazzhaff) October 3, 2016

Listening to @SantoSamEd and realising how drunk I was to think Richie Sambora and Orianthi were alright at the #NRLGF how wrong was I!

— Josh Grant (@NotHereLeave) October 3, 2016

But surely we knew #Sambora was going to be a terrible #NRLGF music act. He called it the "Grand Footy" before the show

— Matt Petropoulos (@MattPetropoulos) October 2, 2016

Sambora took to Twitter on Monday to address the criticism, writing, "I did not get mean... It's ok if people don't dig where I'm going [artistically]..it's ok."

I did not get mean... It's ok if people don't dig where I'm going artistily..it's ok. God bless you all. Just bringin all my love...

— RICHIE SAMBORA (@TheRealSambora) October 2, 2016

The criticism comes less than a week after Sambora's Melbourne show was slammed by fans, with some leaving the gig early.

We can probably all agree though that no matter what you thought of his NRL grand final gig, it wasn't nearly as bad as Meatloaf's performance at the 2011 AFL grand final.

That was just...something else.