Pinball Wizard? Seriously?

[Minn]

I'm trying to understand what it says about the state of American music and culture that, in every Super Bowl half time show since the wardrobe malfunction, a song less than 30 years old hasn't been sung.

I have plenty of fond memories of the Stones, Bruce, and to a far lesser extent, the Who. But what will the NFL do when all these guys are dead?

[TypeZoNegative]

Rap radio stations and rap music in general are losing ratings and chart positions to synthpop.

Rock music is underground and it will still stay underground because rock ‘n roll was never formulated for mainstream success. It’s too harsh, too anti-authority and too in your face to be mainstream.

[Rodamala]

Heh... I just answered my own question after minimal looking around.

Here's a great page on Pete's Guitars. This specific page is about the Fenders he uses now, and there is a great video clip embedded that has an interview with Pete's guitar tech.

Pete's Equipment | Fender Eric Clapton model Stratocasters

[TNdandelion]

Yeah...except that I remember something about Pete Townshend and child porn. I guess he got out of jail...if he even went!

[TNdandelion]

My vote is for Metallica or Guns N Roses. Preferrably Metallica.

[TNdandelion]

Nirvana would have been awesome...and you can't tell me those 60's rockers DIDN'T do drugs. rofl

I also would like to see Eric Clapton or ZZTop!! ZZTop's always been old. :D

[Isabel C.]

I can think of three current bands that I would have liked to see: The Killers, Deathcab for Cutie or Snow Patrol.

Can you name some of these three bands' biggest hits, songs that the average person on the street would know?

[marine86297]

Was that skinny musician in the white shirt hired because he kind of looked like Townsend did three decades ago?

The guy in the white shirt is Pete Townsends younger brother Simon and he is about 15 years younger than Pete, so that is why you see a resemblance.

[Cvengr]

I remember a Rolling Stones survey taken in the late 80s/early 90s inquiring amongst the top 100 to 500 heavy rock and roll musicians what type of music or performer they listened to in their private off time.

Leading the poll were Country Western artists.

Most preferred the ballads of Western music while others admired the ability of Hank Williams Sr to sin in one song, confess in the next, lament over the consequences next, and rejoice in rebirth later.

You don’t hear to many rap ballads, just emotional exercises of the glands without harmony or melody.

[Wissa]

Leading the poll were Country Western artists. Most preferred the ballads of Western music while others admired the ability of Hank Williams Sr to sin in one song, confess in the next, lament over the consequences next, and rejoice in rebirth later.

Sitting here thinking right now, I'm wondering if Western music is about as dead as disco .... although people still use the term "Country Western". I don't know of anybody writing the songs anymore that conjured up the mental images associated with the songs of Marty Robbins, Frankie Laine, or Sons of the Pioneers. Dan Seals had a couple, but that's a long time ago already too.

[T Minus Four]

I’m over 45 and I thoght they were sad.

[CJ Wolf]

Try “Them Crooked Vultures”

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EufrD9vC8Cc

[JerseyDvl]

Me Too! Everyone in my house was singing along at full volume..adults, teens, and my 5-yo twins.
30 yo GREAT songs beat the hell out of Janet and Justin’s nonsensical howling.

[JerseyDvl]

When you were young...Killers.
It is an awesome song that I always hear used for bumper music on conservative talk radio.
That being said, they are not SB material since many people wouldn’t know who they were or what they were singing.

[dfwgator]

Sitting here thinking right now, I'm wondering if Western music is about as dead as disco .... although people still use the term "Country Western".

Elwood: What kind of music do you usually have here?

Bartender: Oh, we got both kinds, country AND western!

[Hildy]

Then you probably didn’t like them in the first place.

[Wissa]

Oh, we got both kinds, country AND western!

Rollin', rollin', rollin'
Though the streams are swollen
Keep them dogies rollin'
Rawhide!

[T Minus Four]

I worshipped them!

[kickonly88]

I have the remastered “Live at Leeds” and “Heaven and Hell” is the opener. Great song!

[stig]

The people over 45 will think it’s a good show, under...not so much. They’re getting a good reception. It’s nostalgia...

I love The Who. Saw them at Shea Stadium in what was it '80? '81? I'm over 45 and I had to change the channel and watch the Simpsons rather than the crap half time show they put on. I missed the onsides kick because of them.

[Hildy]

yea, you showed them!!! ;)