"Meatloaf" sang it too, at a baseball All Stars game - and KNOCKED it out! He really did a great job. The Star Spangled Banner is ONE song that I really hate to "customize". I'm not really sure if it's a patriotizm issue, or not but I think it should be done straight, and ONLY straight.
It's difficult to sing, but it's inspiring to hear, and in these days of madnes and trouble - I welcome it with great pleasure.