Best Super Bowl halftime performances featuring Michael Jackson, Prince, Aerosmith & more [video]

Tomorrow is Super Bowl XLVII. The halftime performance is a time honored tradition. At last year’s Super Bowl in Indianapolis, Madonna was the featured half time performer with M.I.A. and Nicki Minaj. It was estimated that 3 million more people tuned in to watch the halftime performance than the actual game. In the 60’s, it was usually a marching band featured. Super Bowl I which took place in Los Angeles at the famed Coliseium featured the University of Arizona and Grambling State University’s bands.

in 1972, Jazz great Ella Fitzgerald performed. During this time period, all half time shows had a theme. Madi Gras, Salute to Hollywood etc. In 1991, New Kids on the Block performed, that theme was Disney “It’s a small world.”

Kind of feels like a Broadway show…

But Michael Jackson’s 1993 performance at Super Bowl XXVII set the tone for the current evolution of the superstar halftime show.

 

1995 fetaured an Indiana Jones theme that was just… YEAH with performances by Patti LaBelle, Miami Sound Machine and Tony Bennet.

In 1996 for Super Bowl XXX Diana Ross brought diva to the gridiron.

In 2001- the last time the Ravens were in the Super Bowl by the way, the performance featured Aerosmith, ‘N Sync, Britney Spears, Nelly and Mary J. Blige. I was SUPER EXCITED for this.

Of course in 2004 another Jackson performance changed the trajectory of the Super Bowl halftime show and left us with oldies and dusties for a cool minute.

In 2007 Prince rocked the stage in Miami. Purple Rain in the Miami rain, doo rag and all. He KILLED this!

Super Bowl Halftime Show 2007 by bernynab2011 saw the return of more current performers with The Black Eyed Peas and Usher. With a special guest performace from Slash… I ADORE Slash. Guns and Roses was everything.

Ready to add Beyonce to my list of favorites!