The halftime show is a grand Super Bowl pastime, notwithstanding a few complete flops over the years. Much like the commercials that some people make a sport out of viewing, the halftime has grown to the point where the spectacle sometimes overtakes the game itself in importance (in the minds of some).
For example, a lot of folks only remember the 2003 Super Bowl for Janet Jackson’s infamous “wardrobe malfunction,” but the game itself between the New England Patriots and the Carolina Panthers was one of the best-played Super Bowl games ever.
I may sound like a crotchety old man when I say this, but the halftime show used to be good. Granted, it’s pretty hard to top The Who or Bruce Springsteen for a live show, but the acts have been stinking it up lately. The Black Eyed Peas redefined the word “awful” with their show, and Beyonce with her much-hyped Destiny's Child reunion wasn’t much better over the weekend.
But rather than complain, I’ll offer a solution—a selection of halftime acts that stand a chance of happening in real life. Much as I would love to see Megadeth, Carcass, or Blind Guardian do the show, they probably wouldn’t be able to find the time. Instead I propose the following:
1. Elton John and Billy Joel: Face to Face. The 2 piano men have toured together on many occasions, and between the two of them they have enough megahits to fill many hours, let alone the 15 minutes or so given for halftime.
I’m thinking they should take turns on the verses and choruses of each other’s songs, in the following proposed order: “The Entertainer,” “Crocodile Rock,” a break where they have a piano duel, “Piano Man,” and finish with a rousing “Saturday Night’s Alright For Fighting.”
2. AC/DC. Sure, they’re loud, raunchy, and certain people will pretend to be offended. But they’re mainstream enough that people can dance to them at weddings. A little old-fashioned boogie is just what we’ll all need after sitting in a food coma with too many wings, beers, chili, and chips.
3. Journey. Good 80s pop is my guilty pleasure (emphasis on the word good), and Journey has had more than enough hits and standards to choose from. Although many claim to hate Journey, they are simply lying. As for who would handle lead vocals, both Steve Perry and newcomer Arnel Pineda can share the stage…faithfully.
Your turn. Who would you like to see be the entertainment at the Big Game, whether it has a chance in reality or not?
Elton John and Billy Joel would be awesome...
Can't go wrong with Paul McCartney imo... Someone who has 30+ years of hits, please. It should be the show of the year, and should be as close to "universally appealing" as possible..
In a perfect world... A Metallica reunion with numerous guest appearances would be pretty sweet. Kind of Super Bowl worthy. That might have some mass appeal.
Maybe Dr. Dre with Eminem and rapper friends, complete with Tupac hologram... Heard Tupac's been showing up lately.. Kind of neat, I guess.
I agree with Billy Joel, one of the few greats who has not had the opportunity at it yet. I thought about this exact question during this years game and he came to mind.
Its going to be Bon Jovi playing in Jersey. It has to be
Avicii
2 live crew
MJ - Hologram
If a man can dream, I would love to see The Roots perform at the Superbowl
2 CHAINZZZZ
Billy Joel/ Jay-Z/ Alicia Keys- NY state of Mind rendition? (very cliche, but still would be awesome)
Billy Joel currently hates Elton John, so we'll see if that spat works itself out. Agree with the previous poster...I'm thinking Bon Jovi/Bruce Springsteen/Four Seasons mix with a Pauly D DJ appearance
One Direction & Justin Bieber. bAAAm.
Bon Jovi - I'm shocked he never performed.
Insane Clown Posse.
Juggalo Island in front of 75k+ people would be a sight
If the Raiders make the big game half the stadium would be dressed appropriately
Any of the 3 would be nuts.
AC/DC would probably be the best, but the NFL wouldn't ever let them.
Journey. Everyone would go insane.
Iron Maiden.
My personal choice would be Rammstein. Talk about an entertaining show.
All are good choices OP. AC/DC would be awesome, but I'm not sure if they would allow it. Although, I'm sure every stadium uses "Thunderstruck" at some point during games. Stones would be pretty good too. Personally, I would watch the whole half time show if Elton and Billy Joel did a duet of all their songs. The only problem with The Roots is that most people don't know their songs, at least in a sing-along kind of way. Otherwise, the are probably the best original choice.
If Springsteen didn't recently do a halftime show he would be a shoe-in given the whole NJ thing. My money's on Bon Jovi
And I like the Sopranos profile picture Champs46
Ha thanks man, you're the first to mention it
@FeelingMean: Sir Paul did the 2004 show.
@Asatar: What you said.
@Eddie: get Slipknot to join them and it would be a masked parade.
I don't know. I can't say I enjoyed the music at the halftime show this year, but it was worth seeing. Maybe next year we can bring Beyonce back and play someone else's music.
Let's not bring her back in any capacity.
I'm tired of shit music, Billy joel and Elton John would be sick. Coldplay would be a good realistic choice. Maybe the Black keys?
The planners for next year's superb owl have said there might not be a half time show "due to the cold weather".
Scandinavian black metal?
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