For more than a decade, classic rock fans were spoiled when the NFL began a stellar run of the genre’s greats during the coveted Super Bowl halftime show. In three straight years, we got Aerosmith (2001), U2 (2002) and Sting (2003).
After Super Bowl XXXVIII’s infamous “wardrobe malfunction” (with Janet Jackson and Justin Timberlake), rock stars returned: Paul McCartney (2005), the Rolling Stones (2006), Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers (2008), Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band (2009) and The Who (2010).
Prince performing at Super Bowl XLI. The greatest?
Sandwiched in between was Prince’s electrifying performance during Super Bowl XLI at rain-drenched Dolphin Stadium in 2007.
In recent years, however, the NFL has reverted to using more mainstream acts. Timberlake headlined Super Bowl LII in 2018. The past few games have featured such pop stars as Bruno Mars, Lady Gaga, Coldplay, Katy Perry, the Black Eyed Peas, Maroon 5, Shakira with Jennifer Lopez in 2020, and 2021’s The Weeknd.
The league confirmed on Sept. 30, 2021, that the first Super Bowl to be held in Los Angeles this century will feature “a star-studded halftime show befitting of Hollywood” for Super Bowl LVI. The game takes place on February 13, 2022, at SoFi Stadium, televised nationally by NBC and Telemundo, and streaming live on Peacock. Rock fans will again not be pleased.
The list of stars are Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, Eminem, Mary J. Blige and Kendrick Lamar. The five artists have combined for 43 Grammys and have released 22 #1 albums.
“The opportunity to perform at the Super Bowl Halftime show, and to do it in my own backyard, will be one of the biggest thrills of my career,” Dr. Dre said in a statement.
The NFL’s own spot, which aired during Super Bowl LIV in 2020, celebrated the league’s 100th season. It’s pretty amazing…
Watch the Rolling Stones perform at the Super Bowl in 2006
Watch Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers rock Super Bowl XLII
For years the NFL’s Super Bowl halftime entertainment featured an assortment of middle-of-the-road productions with less-than-stellar talent. At Super Bowl XI in Pasadena in 1977, for instance, the theme was “It’s a Small World,” which featured the Los Angeles Unified All City Band. In 1984, for Super Bowl XVIII at Tampa Stadium, it was “Salute to Superstars of the Silver Screen,” which included “Hooray for Hollywood” and “Puttin’ on the Ritz.”
If you don’t recall the halftime 1991 show, there’s a good reason why.
Related: One of our favorite Super Bowl commercials of all-time
Look at the bright side: The choice for 2021’s game will thus afford classic rock fans to have extra time to take a bathroom break at halftime.
x
- Brian Wilson ‘SMiLE’ Book Due from Veteran Beach Boys Author - 12/03/2024
- Steely Dan Catalog Vinyl Reissue Campaign Continues - 12/03/2024
- Musician Deaths of 2024 - 12/02/2024
3 Comments so far
Jump into a conversationYou can bet I won’t be watching the halftime show this time around. Besides, no act will ever top Prince in the pouring rain in Miami. That was surreal and transcendent.
l will unquestionably take a knee on this one.
Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers was epic as well.
There’s a definite no-watch for the up-coming Super Bowl. All of these “artists” appeal to one particular group of people and the rest of us can blow. I get “inclusive” now means who is calling the shots. And THEY seem to have really bad taste in “music”. IMHO! (If I’m allowed to have one, considering.)