Drake Maye vs. Sam Darnold. Two stingy defenses. A second-year head coach vs. a veteran coach in his second act.
New England Patriots offensive tackle Morgan Moses, left, and tight end Hunter Henry celebrate after the AFC Championship game against the Denver Broncos on Sunday in Denver.聽
People are also reading…
Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Jake Bobo, right, celebrates with quarterback Drew Lock, left, after the NFC Championship game against the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday in Seattle.聽
Denver Broncos safety Talanoa Hufanga, left, greets New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye after the AFC Championship game on Sunday in Denver.聽
New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel speaks with quarterback Drake Maye after the AFC Championship game against the Denver Broncos on Sunday in Denver.聽
Seattle Seahawks running back Kenneth Walker III, right, celebrates his touchdown run with wide receiver Rashid Shaheed, center, and quarterback Sam Darnold, left, during the NFC Championship game against the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday in Seattle.聽
20 of the most memorable Super Bowl halftime shows
20 of the most memorable Super Bowl halftime shows
It is the biggest football game of the year, but the Super Bowl doesn鈥檛 just offer two unstoppable football teams battling it out for the win. The Big Game also promises some of the greatest performances from star-studded entertainers at the Super Bowl halftime show. While the halftime show was once a stomping ground for some of colleges鈥 greatest marching bands, that all changed in 1991 when one of the first boy bands, New Kids on the Block, took to the stage.
In the years since, the halftime show has featured some of the most memorable and intricately planned and choreographed musical performances to ever hit the small screen. They have been themed based on both movies and seasons. They have been strange and shocking. They have featured wardrobe mishaps and both awkward and joyous pairings.
The Super Bowl has become known for these extravagant shows featuring some of the most legendary bands and singers in the world. While they aren鈥檛 paid for performing, the prestige of being on the legendary halftime stage is payment enough.
As we look forward to the 2022 halftime show featuring Eminem, Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, Mary J. Blige, and Kendrick Lamar, compiled a list of 20 of the most memorable Super Bowl halftime shows from various news and entertainment sites.
You may also like:
Super Bowl XXV (1991)
Prior to the 1991 Super Bowl, marching bands were the predominant act at halftime, but that all changed when New Kids on the Block brought their act to the stage. Their show at Tampa Stadium, where the New York Giants played the Buffalo Bills, featured hits 鈥淪tep by Step,鈥 鈥淭his One鈥檚 for the Children,鈥 and 鈥淚t鈥檚 a Small World鈥 performed along with a military children鈥檚 choir, members of whose parents were serving in the Gulf War. A Gulf War report actually aired during halftime.
Super Bowl XXVI (1992)
This strange halftime show, known as Winter Magic, was a tribute to another great sporting event that year, the Winter Olympics. Olympic figure skaters Brian Boitano and Dorothy Hamill skated to 鈥淥ne Moment in Time鈥 and were joined by several members of the 1980 Olympic hockey team, the University of Minnesota marching band, dancing snowflakes, and massive snowmen. Gloria Estefan also performed her hits 鈥淕et On Your Feet鈥 and 鈥淟ive For Loving You.鈥
Super Bowl XXVII (1993)
The King of Pop performed at The Rose Bowl during a game where the Dallas Cowboys beat the Buffalo Bills. Amidst the ice-cold afternoon, Michael Jackson moonwalked his way through a medley that includes his hits 鈥淏illie Jean,鈥 鈥淛am,鈥 and 鈥淏lack or White.鈥 To wrap things up, Jackson sang 鈥淲e Are the World鈥 and 鈥淗eal the World,鈥 while 3,500 Los Angeles area kids surrounded the stage and 133 million viewers watched.
Super Bowl XXVIII (1994)
This show at the Georgia Dome was a treat for country music fans with Clint Black, Tanya Tucker, Travis Tritt, and The Judds belting out hits like 鈥淭uckered Out,鈥 鈥淭-R-O-U-B-L-E,鈥 鈥淣o One Else on Earth,鈥 鈥淟ove Can Build a Bridge,鈥 and 鈥淚t鈥檚 a Little Too Late.鈥 The event dubbed 鈥淩ockin鈥 Country Sunday鈥 featured an interesting blend of special guests for the finale, including Ashley Judd, Stevie Wonder, Lisa Hartman Black, The Georgia Satellites, football legend Joe Namath, actor Elijah Wood, and Charlie Daniels.
Super Bowl XXIX (1995)
One of the stranger Super Bowl halftime shows was this Disney production that featured a tribute to Indiana Jones. Patti LaBelle sang 鈥淩elease Yourself鈥 and 鈥淣ew Attitude,鈥 while Tony Bennett sang 鈥淐aravan鈥 and duetted with LaBelle on 鈥淐an You Feel the Love Tonight鈥 from the Disney film, 鈥淭he Lion King.鈥 Teddy Pendergrass and Arturo Sandoval also performed in between brief acting bits featuring Indiana Jones.
You may also like:
Super Bowl XXX (1996)
The 30th anniversary of the Super Bowl at Sun Devil Stadium saw the Dallas Cowboys face off against the Pittsburgh Steelers, while the halftime show featured Diana Ross. Ross performed a 12-minute set including Supremes-era classics 鈥淪top! In the Name of Love鈥 and 鈥淏aby Love鈥 after being lowered to the stage on a crane. From multiple outfit changes to her exit via helicopter while singing 鈥淚 Will Survive,鈥 Ross brought her A-game to the Super Bowl.
Super Bowl XXXV (2001)
Boy band 鈥橬 Sync and rock band Aerosmith married the worlds of rock and pop in a musical medley that included 鈥淏ye Bye Bye鈥 and 鈥淚 Don鈥檛 Want to Miss a Thing鈥 at Tampa鈥檚 Raymond James Stadium. The most memorable performance though came with the rock classic 鈥淲alk this Way,鈥 which featured pop princess Britney Spears and Mary J. Blige joining Aerosmith and 鈥橬 Sync. Who can forget the moment former Mickey Mouse Club alums and dating duo, Spears and Timberlake, walked the stage side by side making magical music together?
Super Bowl XXXVI (2002)
Irish rockers U2 started their set at the Louisiana Superdome with the hit 鈥淏eautiful Day,鈥 but it was the emotional tribute to those who died a few months prior during the 9/11 attacks that really hit home. The names of the dead scrolled across a big screen as 鈥淢LK鈥 played and led to 鈥淲here the Streets Have No Name鈥 Lead singer Bono made a statement as only he can when he revealed the American flag inside his jacket.
Super Bowl XXXVIII (2004)
One of the most memorable halftime show performances was overshadowed by an epic 鈥渨ardrobe malfunction.鈥 Janet Jackson and Justin Timberlake鈥檚 careers were irrevocably altered thanks to one unfortunate moment that revealed Jackson's nipple for the whole world to see as Timberlake sang the final line鈥斺淚鈥檒l have you naked by the end of this song鈥濃攖o his hit 鈥淩ock Your Body.鈥 The and Jackson, who suffered most of the media scrutiny following the mishap. Her performance of 鈥淩hythm Nation鈥 and 鈥淎ll for You,鈥 as well as other performances that day from Jessica Simpson, Diddy, Nelly, and Kid Rock, sadly became secondary.
Super Bowl XXXIX (2005)
After the debauchery at 2004鈥檚 Super Bowl halftime show with Janet Jackson and Justin Timberlake鈥檚 wardrobe/choreography malfunction, Sir Paul McCartney seemed a safe yet legendary follow-up. The former Beatle performed 鈥淒rive My Car,鈥 鈥淕et Back,鈥 and 鈥淟ive and Let Die.鈥 McCartney played guitar and piano before ending the show with 鈥淗ey Jude,鈥 as the audience sang along with candles swaying.
You may also like:
Super Bowl XL (2006)
Another British act hit the Super Bowl following Sir Paul McCartney鈥檚 performance in 2005. The Rolling Stones played three of their hits, 鈥淪tart Me Up,鈥 鈥淩ough Justice,鈥 and 鈥(I Can鈥檛 Get No) Satisfaction.鈥 The band wasn鈥檛 too pleased that two of their , including one of the lines from 鈥淪tart Me Up,鈥 though no one could censor 62-year-old Mick Jagger鈥檚 epic dance moves on a stage that was literally the band鈥檚 logo.
Super Bowl XLI (2007)
In 2007, the Miami Dolphins鈥 stadium featured Prince rocking through his hits 鈥淟et's Go Crazy鈥 and 鈥淏aby I'm A Star鈥 on a stage constructed to look like the symbol the artist briefly took as a nom de guerre, before segueing into hits by Creedence Clearwater Revival, Foo Fighters, and Bob Dylan, all with marching band backup. In a moment only nature could provide, the artist performed 鈥淧urple Rain鈥 under a rainy night sky.
Super Bowl XLIII (2009)
While he had passed up the opportunity to perform at the halftime show in the past, 2009 saw Bruce Springsteen change his tune, performing 鈥淭enth Avenue Freezeout,鈥 鈥淏orn to Run,鈥 鈥淲orking on a Dream,鈥 and 鈥淕lory Days鈥 with made just for the Super Bowl. No one can forget the 59-year-old鈥檚 epic knee slide into the camera or his plea to the audience: 鈥淚 want you to step back from the guacamole dip, I want you to put the chicken fingers down and turn your television all the way up.鈥 Guitarist Steven Van Zandt, Springsteen鈥檚 wife Patti Scialfa, and a gospel choir accompanied the legendary singer.
Super Bowl XLV (2011)
The Black Eyed Peas took to the stage at Cowboys Stadium to belt out a string of hits, including 鈥淚've Gotta Feeling鈥 and 鈥淏oom Boom Pow,鈥 before Fergie teamed up with Guns 鈥榥 Roses鈥 guitarist Slash, who rose up from beneath the stage, on 鈥淪weet Child O鈥 Mine.鈥 The Peas were later joined by Usher for 鈥淥MG.鈥
Super Bowl XLVI (2012)
When headliner Madonna made her grand entrance at Lucas Oil Stadium, it was as an Egyptian goddess being carried on a barge by a legion of 鈥渟oldiers.鈥 The Material Girl performed alongside a stellar list of guest stars, including Cee Lo Green, LMFAO, M.I.A., and Nicki Minaj. The setlist included 鈥淰ogue,鈥 a mashup of 鈥淢usic/Party Rock Anthem/Sexy and I Know It鈥 with LMFAO, 鈥淟ike a Prayer鈥 with Green, and 鈥淕ive Me All Your Luvin鈥欌 with M.I.A. and Nicki Minaj. Controversy found this halftime show when M.I.A. gave the finger directly to the camera in lieu of a curse word from 鈥淕ive Me All Your Luvin鈥.鈥
You may also like:
Super Bowl XLVII (2013)
By the time Beyonce took the stage at the New Orleans Superdome in 2013, she was already one of the biggest pop stars in the world鈥攂ut her halftime show performance sent her into the stratosphere of R&B royalty. After ascending to the stage while an audio track of football legend Vince Lombardi played throughout the stadium, Beyonce, along with guest stars Kelly Rowland and Michelle Williams of Destiny鈥檚 Child, ran through some of her biggest hits, including 鈥淐razy in Love,鈥 鈥淏ootylicious,鈥 and 鈥淚ndependent Women Part 1,鈥 before bringing the house down with a dance-along performance of 鈥淪ingle Ladies (Put a Ring on It).鈥 Beyonce鈥檚 performance would go on to earn three Emmy nominations, including Outstanding Lighting Design/Lighting Direction for a Variety Special, which it won.
Super Bowl XLIX (2015)
Pop princess Katy Perry took the stage at the University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Arizona, with an epic show featuring the songstress riding in on a massive robotic red-eyed lion, while she sang her hit 鈥淩oar.鈥 She did a duet with Lenny Kravitz on guitar for 鈥淚 Kissed a Girl鈥 and shared the stage with dancing sharks (including one one), beach balls, and palm trees for 鈥淭eenage Dream鈥 and 鈥淐alifornia Gurls.鈥 Missy Elliott joined Perry for 鈥淕et Ur Freak On鈥 and 鈥淲ork It,鈥 just before Perry closed the show out with 鈥淔irework,鈥 as fireworks erupted in the background, while the singer flew in the sky on a shooting star.
Super Bowl LI (2017)
Lady Gaga drew 117.5 million viewers with a set that included popular songs 鈥淏ad Romance,鈥 鈥淧oker Face,鈥 鈥淛ust Dance,鈥 and 鈥淢illion Reasons.鈥 Gaga also showed her patriotism with her performance of 鈥淕od Bless America鈥 and 鈥淭his Land Is Your Land.鈥 While Gaga didn't do anything wild, she did proudly belt out 鈥淏orn This Way,鈥 her queer-positive anthem, and headed out into the audience to give some fan love.
Super Bowl LII (2018)
Justin Timberlake returned to the Super Bowl stage, which he鈥檇 already occupied twice with former girlfriend Britney Spears, rockers Aerosmith, and band 鈥橬 Sync in 2001, and with Janet Jackson as a solo artist for the infamous 鈥淣ipplegate鈥 incident in 2005. The singer was introduced by his good friend and nighttime talk show host Jimmy Fallon and used the show as a promotional opportunity for his album 鈥淢an of the Woods.鈥 His set at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis included 鈥淪exyBack,鈥 鈥淩ock Your Body,鈥 鈥淐ry Me A River,鈥 鈥淐an鈥檛 Stop the Feeling,鈥 and a duet with Minneapolis鈥 own Prince that featured a prerecorded video of the deceased artist singing 鈥淚 Would Die 4 U.鈥
Super Bowl LV (2021)
Sporting a shimmery red Givenchy-designed blazer covered in crystals, The Weeknd ran through a string of his hits, including 鈥淐all Out My Name,鈥 鈥淪tarboy,鈥 鈥淭he Hills,鈥 and 鈥淐an鈥檛 Feel My Face.鈥 The gloved singer closed the set with 鈥淏linding Lights鈥 against a barrage of fireworks and audience applause. Despite COVID-19 restrictions being in full force and the assembled crowd being much less than would otherwise be the case, the show was a success, with commenting that it was a 鈥渂rilliantly escapist 10 minutes that not only solidified his pop domination, but helped a deeply divided country鈥攈owever briefly鈥攄ance away the pain of this past year.鈥
You may also like:
