For our 49er fans, football season ended a couple of weeks ago, downgrading the Super Bowl into the So What Bowl. So, if we don't watch it for the game, do we tune in for the first-run million-dollar commercials, or for the "spectacular halftime extravaganza?" It seems that lately, those once-super audience draws have become similarly ho-hum, having certainly declined from the wholesome standards that used to make this final football game family-friendly entertainment. "Ah, the good-old days..."
Speaking of "back in the day," did you know that Up With People is the only entity that has performed in FOUR Super Bowl halftimes? Keith and I participated in one of them as UWP Alumni in 1980 (Rams/Steelers) at the Rose Bowl. Yes, I am obviously biased, but those were some fun musical extravaganzas, always well-received by the audiences, if not by David Letterman and other wise guys, er, comedians.
For some Super Bowl trivia, here is a list of the TOP TEN Super Bowl Halftime Shows, as reported by The Washington Times. How many do you remember?
10. The Rolling Stones, Super Bowl XL - 2006
9. Up With People, XVI - 1982
8. Motown Review, XXXII, 1998
7. Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers, XLII - 2008
6. Paul McCartney, XXXIX - 2005
5. Bruce Springstein, XLIII - 2009
4. Diana Ross, XXX - 1996
3. Michael Jackson, XXVII - 1993
2. Prince, XLI - 2007
You will find that the "top ten" list varies depending on the source, but there is consensus on the one at the top of the list. Following the 9/11 tragedy, this group brought a truly spectacular halftime performance that may never be rivaled.
#1. U2, XXXVI - 2002
The band U2 delivered an emotional tribute to America and the victims of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. The Irish rockers opened with their hit “Beautiful Day.” As the first song wound down, a giant screen scrolled the names of victims in the attacks as Bono sang “Where the Streets Have No Name.” The crowd roared as Bono pulled back his jacket lapel to reveal an American flag.
Derek always proclaimed that U2 was the #1 Super Group of all time. We Beatles fans may disagree, but we will concede them the honor of #1 Super Bowl Group!
Whether or not you tune in to the Super game, Super commercials or Super halftime, here's wishing you a Super Sunday!
2 comments:
I remember the U2 halftime show like it was yesterday...was it really in 2002?!? Jeepers! It deserves top billing- certainly the emotional factor played into the spectacular presentation.
Football is out of my league, and the half-time shows (and expensive commercials) don't justify the time waiting for them to happen - and hope they are good. Of course, that is unless someone really special is involved - as in 2002. We'll have a Super Sunday watching DVDs.
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