Super Bowl: Best And Worst Halftime Shows

2024 Author: Steven Freeman | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 08:15

The long-awaited Super Bowl has become over the last decades one of the most watched televised events in the world, not only because in this great game the new NFL champion team is crowned, but also for other additional attractions such as commercials and without a doubt, the Halftime Show.

The first edition of the Super Bowl took place on January 15, 1967 at the iconic Orange Bowl in the city of Miami. More than fifty years later, much has changed, including part-time performances, since in the first decades of the great game, the protagonists of the Halftime Show were university marching bands that were complemented by the short intervention of some artist.

But in 1993, the Halftime Show story took a 180-degree turn and began to transform into the massive event that paralyzes the United States. In that year, for the first time an artist was the great protagonist of halftime and who better than Michael Jackson to do it.

Since then, the biggest names in entertainment have been on the Super Bowl stage. And while some have left indelible marks with epic performances, others have not had the same fate. Take a look at our list of the best and worst Halftime Shows ever:

Jennifer Lopez and Shakira, Super Bowl LIV (2020)

Of course, we started this list with the presentation of Jennifer López and Shakira for the importance it had for the Latino community in the United States and for the great message of empowerment that they left behind their show. A total shock of energy, dance and sensuality vibrated the more than 60,000 fans who came to Hard Rock Stadium in Miami to watch the Super Bowl.

Prince, Super Bowl XLI (2007)

For many, the presentation of the legendary Prince of 2007 at Dolphin Stadium is the best Halftime Show in history and it is not for less, because during his time on stage, the deceased singer gave the public perhaps the most unforgettable concert in his career.

Madonna, LMFAO, Nicki Minaj and Cee Lo Green; Super Bowl XLVI (2012)

The Queen of Pop was in charge of the halftime show in 2012 and her performance left an impossible-to-erase mark on the golden pages of the Super Bowl. Accompanied by LMFAO, Nicki Minaj, and Cee Lo Green, Madonna demonstrated why she is the best-selling singer in history.

Beyoncé and Destiny's Child, Super Bowl XLVII (2013)

A year after Madonna's masterful presentation, the people in charge of taking over the stage were Beyoncé, Kelly Rowland and Michelle Williams, the three members of the famous group Destiny's Child. The banner left by the Queen of Pop was almost impossible to overcome, but the trio did not go out of tune with their Halftime Show and gave the public a masterful presentation with the best of their repertoire.

Katy Perry, Lenny Kravitz and Missy Elliott; Super Bowl XLIX (2015)

In 2015, another of the world's pop divas had the great responsibility of leading the Super Bowl halftime show. A display of lights, costumes, dancing, and even a giant lion transformed Katy Perry's performance into something epic. Of course, the guest list to accompany her included two other music superstars: rocker Lenny Kravitz and rapper Missy Elliott.

Coldplay, Beyoncé and Bruno Mars; Super Bowl L (2016)

There is no doubt that the combination of these three giants from the music world left a show that made millions dance and became an instant classic within the best Halftime Shows of the Super Bowl.

Lady Gaga, Super Bowl LI, (2017)

The New York mega pop star has been one of the few artists who has decided not to bring guests on stage, but has also left an iconic performance at a Halftime Show. With an impressive artistic display, Lady Gaga stole the admiration of millions of fans around the world.

Michael Jackson, Super Bowl XXVII (1993)

Of course, we could not leave out of our list the presentation that split the history of the Halftime Show in two and that transformed the Super Bowl into one of the most watched events in the entire world. The King of Pop took the stage at the legendary Rose Bowl Stadium in Pasadena, and it only took him 13 minutes to make his show unforgettable.

Despite the fact that the guests to the Super Bowl are big entertainment stars, this does not mean that their presentations are guaranteed success and Maroon 5 and J ustin Timberlake are the best example. In 2019 and 2018 they were the protagonists of the Halftime Show, but their time on stage left a great deal of pain, since their concerts were classified as flat and boring compared to others in the past.

Before Michael Jackson's performance in 1993, the Halftime Show didn't have the media importance it has today, so companies like Disney used the halftime show to create a show that looked more like a 12-minute commercial, like in 1995 when The show was inspired by Indiana Jones to promote one of its attractions in one of its amusement parks.