The Super Bowl halftime show isn’t just a break from the football game. It’s become a bit of a cultural centerpiece. In many ways it’s a perfect encapsulation of Americana.
It brings casual viewers into the nation’s most-popular sport, providing additional anticipation and fun.
However, it wasn’t always that way. The Super Bowl halftime show had a pretty humble beginning. Instead of the world’s biggest music stars, it was often marching bands and local performers.
Of course, things began to change in the 1990s. Once Michael Jackson agreed to perform, the 1993 halftime show morphed into a full-blown spectacle. Whether it was a moving 9/11 tribute from U2, Prince’s unforgettable performance in the rain, or rock legends like The Rolling Stones, Paul McCartney and Tom Petty showing why they’re legends, the Super Bowl halftime show has become can’t-miss television and the biggest concert in the world each year.
Whether you’re looking to relive the nostalgia or explore the history, this list showcases how music and sports collide to create an entertainment event unlike any other.
Early Years: The Beginnings of the Halftime Show
The early stages of the halftime show bore little to no resemblance to the elaborate mini-concerts we are treated to today.
And because the NFL wasn’t a global brand, there was little thought given to any broader cultural impact. So the halftime shows were typically collegiate marching bands and patriotic tributes to give fans in the stands something to keep them occupied.
The first halftime show in 1967 featured the Arizona and Grambling State marching bands. By the mid-1970s, the NFL was experimenting with different forms of entertainment, sometimes mixing dance and theatre elements to the show.
Perhaps the most notable halftime show of the early years was at Super Bowl X in 1976. Celebrating America’s bicentennial, the show featured a number of performers, including Up with People. Up with People would go on to become a staple of the halftime show throughout the mid-1980s. The more polished elements of their performances was a stark contrast to the more informal shows of the previous decade.
Overall, these shows clearly lacked star power and technological sophistication. But, they laid the groundwork for what was to come, offering fans a glimpse for the potential the show had.
The Transition to Big Names and Pop Culture
The first halftime show to be basically inline with what we consider to be “modern” came in 1993 when Jackson performed.
His presence was heavily advertised and his show was one that featured all the bells and whistles that fans had grown accustomed to seeing at live concerts. Special effects, pyrotechnics, backup dancers, an elaborate stage … Jackson had it all.
In 1992, Super Bowl XXVI viewers skipped the halftime show and instead changed the channel to FOX to catch a counterprogrammed episode of the popular sketch comedy show In Living Color.
The problem? A good chunk of them never returned to CBS to watch the second half (it didn’t help that Washington was up 17–0).
At that moment, the NFL realized that it wasn’t a given that viewers would sit through a half-hour break in the game. They would have to give the audience something special.
So they went big.
Jackson wasn’t just famous by 1992. He was likely the most famous person in the entire world. So famous that he wasn’t particularly interested in performing at Super Bowl XXVII.
In fact, Radio City Music Hall Productions (a group hired by the NFL to produce the halftime show) failed in negotiations with Jackson on three occasions before finally reaching an agreement.
Once Jackson signed, he requested his own producer (which he got) and that the NFL push kickoff back roughly three hours so his performance would be at night (which he did not). Like all other performers, Jackson was not paid. However, it has been reported that he made roughly $40 million in exposure alone.
Iconic Performances Through the Years
Super Bowl XLI: Prince, 2007, in the rain, in Miami. This is almost unanimously considered to be the single-greatest Super Bowl halftime show ever. Prince captivated the audience in a way only he could, before finishing his set with “Purple Rain.” Amazing stuff.
Super Bowl XXXVI: Just months after the 9/11 attacks, U2 delivered a touching and unforgettable halftime show that captured the attitude of a healing nation. Beginning with “Beautiful Day” set the tone perfectly and the heart-shaped stage was perfect for the moment.
Super Bowl XXVII: Jackson made the halftime show what it is today with his masterful performance in 1993. It was essentially a mini-concert and while it started slow (Jackson remains motionless, soaking up the moment for nearly two minutes), it was high-energy from the moment he started singing.
Controversies and Memorable Mishaps
Look, everyone already knows what’s going to end up in this section. We’ll get the obvious one out of the way first.
Super Bowl XXXVIII: “Wardrobe malfunction” entered the nation’s lexicon as Justin Timberlake ripped part of Janet Jackson’s costume off, briefly exposing her bare breast on live television in 2004. There are rumors that this act was intentional, but all involved have denied that claim. It caused a massive uproar and led to stricter broadcasting regulations being imposed by the FCC.
Super Bowl XLVI: In 2012, M.I.A. performed alongside Madonna and flipped off the camera during the song “Give Me All Your Luvin’.” It led to a legal battle between the NFL and M.I.A., with the league seeking damages.
Super Bowl 50: Beyoncé’s performance of “Formation” included dancers in Black Panther Party-inspired outfits that sparked some heated political debates about the role of activism in entertainment.
Year-by-Year Performer List
READ MORE ABOUT THE SUPER BOWL
This article was originally published on www.si.com as Year-By-Year List of Super Bowl Halftime Show Performers.
