82-Year-Old Metalhead Channels Rob Zombie With Awesome ‘Dragula’ Performance

John Hetlinger, an 82-year-old heavy-metal fan, returned to America’s Got Talent for an encore to his Drowning Pool audition. The retired Navy pilot and aerospace manager gained international fame after he auditioned for the show by singing Drowning Pool’s “Bodies.”

For his second audition, Hetlinger chose to sing Rob Zombie’s “Dragula.” Again the audience went wild for Hetlinger’s head-banging and scream-singing. Simon Cowell in particular enjoyed the performance, saying, “John, I have never seen or heard an act like you in all the years I’ve been doing this.“ Cowell went on to say, “I am going to fight for you to go into the finals.”

Unfortunately, Cowell wasn’t a very good fighter, as Heidi Klum made sure Hetlinger did not move on to the next round. And while Hetlinger was disappointed, Klum gave him a consolation prize of two kisses on the cheeks.

America’s Got Talent airs Tuesdays and Wednesdays at 8 p.m. on NBC.

Check out John Hetlinger’s first audition, which made him famous:

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