Posted on 02/09/2024 5:09:10 PM PST by nickcarraway
Usher's performance during this week's Super Bowl LVIII in Las Vegas extends the NFL's streak of halftime shows without a headlining rock act to 14.
Chiefs starting quarterback Patrick Mahomes was still a freshman in high school when the Who concluded their set with "Won't Get Fooled Again" in 2010 at Super Bowl XLIV in Miami. He's now attempting to claim his third Super Bowl crown, and there hasn't been a top-billed rock act since.
Ironically, rock basically ruled halftime celebrations as the 21st century dawned. Aerosmith kicked things off in 2001 in Tampa for Super Bowl XXXV. U2 took the stage a year later in New Orleans for Super Bowl XXXVI. Sting was a special guest at 2003's XXXVII halftime in San Diego.
Paul McCartney then kicked off six straight rock-focused halftime performances in 2005 at Super Bowl XXXIX in Jacksonville. The Rolling Stones took over in 2006 at XL in Detroit, followed by Prince (2007's XLI in Miami), Tom Petty (2008's XLII in Miami), Bruce Springsteen (2009's XLIII in Tampa) and the Who.
The Red Hot Chili Peppers served as non-headlining guests at Super Bowl XLVIII in 2014 at East Rutherford, New Jersey, but then found themselves embroiled in controversy over whether they actually played their instruments. By then, Mahomes was finally set to leave high school for the NFL Draft. Super Bowl organizers have since turned to R&B, pop and hip-hop performers.
Could rock make a triumphant return? No rock star has ever repeated as a Super Bowl halftime performer, but plenty of worthy candidates remain. Among those who've never played are Guns N' Roses, Billy Joel, Foo Fighters, Elton John, Eagles, Pearl Jam, Bon Jovi and Metallica.
Still, there are precious few stragglers who are big enough to command worldwide attention – and that's very much an issue for the NFL. These acts also have to spark internationally. As much as Americans love football, the Super Bowl is very big business elsewhere too. Nielsen reports hundreds of millions of viewers for these games, with more than 50 million coming from outside the U.S.
Lies, damned lies and Statista, eh?
I’ll pass on the manipulated data, with all due respect.
“We turn the TV off during half-time.”
I DVR and delay the replay. Also helps when referees take 10 minutes to make a call or the defensive lineman flops as the other team is making a potential winning drive.
Are there still rock bands? I thought SteppenWolf broke up?
Rock music is Boomer and Gen X music. Their heyday is over.
Yeah, Prince was great too.
I wants me some Janet Jackson wardrobe malfunction. I missed the first go-round.
Who are the most popoular artists on the charts?
Classic rock bands are mostly dead. Except for the Rolling Stones, who already played there. Played there. (And only 3/5ths are so alive.
What contemporary rock bands are nearly as popukar as Drake, J.Lo, Shakira, Eminem. Dr. Dre, etc?
Even the great alertnative bands of the 1990s are all past their prime, many are defunct.
U2 might be the only exception I can think of that is still entact and perfotming. But they haven't had a charting record in a decade.
Boomers love football. X'ers like it too. The NFL is trying to get Milleniums and Zoomers to watch.
What Super Bowl? No thanks, I’ll take a KNEE!!!!!
Janet Jackson.
A star is born...
Good point!
Well, it ain’t working. All generations are being nauseated.
Taylor Swift to headline next year
Halftime shows should be performed by marching bands--as was the case with Super Bowl I.
It’s already a football theme…
“Imagine someone suggesting having the Eagles or America as a half time show.”
I might turn ON the game just for halftime if the Eagles were the show.
That’s true.
Marching bands should play.
Last year the Eagles played at the Super Bowl.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.