THE SUPER BOWL’S half-time show has become nearly as big a spectacle as the game itself.
Some of music’s greatest artists, and a couple not so great (see Nsync, 2001), have stepped on stage down through the years for 12-minute productions which spared no expense.
Last year witnessed the Black Eyed Peas sing what has possibly become the most overplayed song at stadia worldwide and to make matters worse, news that Madonna is pencilled in to perform on Sunday night hasn’t exactly set our pulses racing.
Not to worry though, as here are a bunch of the more memorable ones over the last 20 years…
1. Diana Ross, 1996
One of the original divas spoiled the crowd at Sun Devil Stadium and millions of viewers at home with a medley of Supreme hits before departing in a chopper. Why? Because she could.
YouTube credit: Vivieabba
2. Bruce Springsteen, 2009
The Boss admitted beforehand that he hadn’t a notion about American football but that made no odds when he linked up with his E Street Band to rock out at Super Bowl XLIII with the likes of ‘Born To Run’ and ‘Glory Days’.
YouTube credit: Fcofdez18
3. Paul McCartney, 2005
A mix of former Beatles numbers and classics such as ‘Live And Let Die’ were always going to be crowd-pleasers and McCartney had the whole place singing along to ‘Hey Jude’ before winding up back in 2005.
YouTube credit: WarrenZevonAddict2
4. Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers, 2008
Petty wasn’t an obvious choice for the Super Bowl and it came as a bit of a shock when he was announced four years ago. He didn’t get spectators in quite as big a frenzy as Jagger did but with a back catalogue which included ‘Free Falling’ and ‘Walk Back Down’, he proved a success. That was despite accusations that he had mimed his way through it.
YouTube credit: Magda0815007
5. Michael Jackson, 1993
The late Michael Jackson redefined the Super Bowl half-time show as prior to him, it had mainly consisted of marching bands and ice-skaters. The glove, shades and white socks were out in full force as he performed during the Dallas Cowboys’s 52-17 hammering of the Buffalo Bills.
YouTube credit: Magda0815007
6. The Rolling Stones, 2006
The Stones played on top of a stage depicting their famous logo in Detroit six years ago and Mick Jagger was in top form as he belted out ‘Start Me Up’ and ‘Satisfaction’. The costumes, flashing lights and backing dancers were replaced by some good old rock and roll.
YouTube credit: WarrenZevonAddict2
