We all know that the Super Bowl half-time show has become just as much a part of Super Bowl Sunday as the game itself. Over the years its seen its share of great performances and scandal (yeah were talking to you Ms. Jackson). Many tune in just to see the performances and what social media worthy hijinx will ensue. This year, Coldplay is set to perform for the first time ever with Bruno Mars and Beyonce making return appearances. So we thought it a good time to look back at some of the more memorable half-time performances of Super Bowl history.
5. Bruno Mars & The Red Hot Chili Peppers
When Bruno Mars was announced as the half-time performer in 2014, many were left scratching their heads – and that’s those were nice about it. The naysayers had the same reaction as that little kid when Kristaps Porzingis was the Knicks first pick in the draft. Like Porzingis, Mars shut em up, because he lit it up. His performance was energetic, powerful and he brought a great act in for an assist in the form of the Red Hot Chili Peppers. It had social media buzzing as it generated 2.2 million tweets and garnered two Emmy nods for its production value. Well played sir. Clearly, he was impressive enough that he was invited back.
4. Prince
His Purple Highness is not really known for joining in on things classic Americana, often opting for more cutting edge and risque fare. So his choice as a half-time performer just a few years after nipple-gate was a curious one. Yet, he delivered the goods as only he can. Sure he waived around his guitar in a most phallic way, but that is what you sign up for when you hire him. More importantly he delivered a mixture of his classic hits such as “Let’s Go Crazy,” with great covers such as “Proud Mary,” and he topped it off with “Purple Rain” which essentially had the crowd re-enacting the last scene of the film. Even more amazing. The conditions in which he performed. A true pro, if there ever were was.
3. Beyoncé
Bey did the Super Bowl as only she can. Starting out with a pyro silhouette of her image which split into two and began mirroring her dance routines. What followed was a rendition of hits such as “Crazy In Love” and “Baby Boy” and was topped off by a Destiny’s Child reunion. At the time it was the second most watched half-time show in Super Bowl history with over 110 million tuning in. More importantly, it brought the sexy back to the show without going over the edge. HitFix web site probably said it best when it said “In a Super Bowl half-time performance that was as frenetic as it was fierce, [Beyoncé] delivered a sexy segment that was part Victoria’s Secret fashion show, part tutorial on how to dazzle an audience.”
2. U2
Who could forget U2’s emotional performance at the 2002 Super Bowl? Fresh off the events of 9/11 the world was a little jittery at the spectre of such a large event. Safety was on everyone’s mind. U2 delivered an inspirational performance with it’s hit “A Beautiful Day,” but really brought down the house, when they paid homage to all the victims of the attacks playing “Where the Streets Have No Name,” with a scrolling backdrop featuring the names of all of the victims of the attacks.
1. Michael Jackson
Say what you will about the gloved one. But he as undeniable knack for setting the bar in all things performance. Many credit his performance as the creation of the half-time extravaganza. In 1993 the NFL wanted to keep folks in their seats during half time so threw a ton of money at getting a big headliner. Enter Jackson with a medley of his greatest hits, a ton of pyro and jet pack. The rest as they say is history…
