The Super Bowl Halftime show is one of the most eagerly-anticipated events of the year, drawing millions of viewers from all around the world to what has become a cultural phenomenon. Many of music’s most prominent acts have taken to the stage to showcase show-stopping performances: Michale Jackson, Diana Ross, ZZ Top, The Rolling Stones, Prince, Beyoncé, and Madonna’s incredible showcase of her musical career.
The tradition of halftime entertainment at the Super Bowl began in 1967 with the marching bands of the University of Arizona and Grambling State University — and The Three Stooges — taking to the field.
In recent years, the halftime show has become a massive production that can also mean big business for artists who have seen a significant increase in streams on Spotify or iTunes. Missy Elliot’s performance as a surprise cameo at Super Bowl XLIX Halftime Show in 2015 saw the veteran rapper’s streams spike 676% after her performance overshadowed headliner Katy Perry. Elliot saw her classic hits “Lose Control,” “Get ur Freak On” and “Work It” reenter the iTunes charts in the top 12 songs category.
In 2001, U2 paid tribute to the victims of the 9/11 attacks and Lady Gaga’s show in 2016, highlighted the support of LGBTQ rights. One of the most controversial performances occurred in 2004 with Janet Jackson’s infamous “wardrobe malfunction” during her performance with Justin Timberlake. Timberlake sang the final line of “Gonna have you naked by the end of this song” from “Rock Your Body” and proceeded to pull off a part of Jackon’s costume revealing her breast sparking a national debate about censorship in broadcasting.
Take a look back at the Halftime show’s humble beginnings and the grand performances of today from artists that include The Weeknd, Bruce Springsteen, Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers, Paul McCartney, Britney Spears, The Blues Brothers and James Brown.