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.
No. White men are. They are trying to expand to get more people to watch. It’s a business afterall.
Prince and Tom Petty playing While My Guitar Gently Weeps is a performance for the ages.
L
And whites are stupid enough to stand it?
Hard pass on Sunday's show.
EeeeYUP!!
Show some kids with real talent.
Rock and Roll fans don't accept lip-syncing and pre-recorded tracks.
The NFL has been desperate to stem the trend of losing fans for decades now and the artists who do the halftime shows are ones who have a current song to pimp themselves out for. They'll get a surge in sales of their watered down pop music if they appear.
The NFL doesn't pay the performers - the labels pay to promote their latest pop act.
https://www.profootballnetwork.com/do-performers-get-paid-for-the-super-bowl-halftime-show/
They aren’t black, female, practically naked, or twerk.
When Bad Bunny does the halftime show, you will know the end is near.
She is unofficially headlining this year.
Like Grank Funk Railraod, maybe?
Why do you think?
NFL panders to women.
My wife doesn’t care for football, but she will watch the Super Bowl...I won’t.
The Super Bowl is designed for the ghetto culture. From the Negro National Anthem on. Why should the Halftime entertainment be any different?
The NFL is pandering to the black audience.
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Yeah. Next thing ya know - they’ll be playing the Negro National Anthem.
Wait, what?
If they can get Mark Farner to reunite with them, I'm in.
Taylor Swift to headline next year
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Next year?? I’d be surprised if the isn’t on camera every other minute this year.
P
The NFL went full homo a while back.
Up With People?
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