Bruce Springsteen to Headline Super Bowl Halftime Show

Super bowl halftimes have not always been full of big time stars. Only in recent years have major pop and rock stars started performing at the halftime show during the Super Bowl in NFL games in the U.S. It is used to be that the halftime show was performed by college bands across the country. Nowadays college bands no longer get to perform on such a large national stage and it is left to the seasoned veterans of the entertainment industry.

It has been announced that Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band will be performing in the Super Bowl XLIII Halftime ShowinRaymond James Stadium, Tampa, Florida. Thus Bruce Springsteen and the E Street band will join those before him to participate in the most watched musical performance. The Super Bowl halftime show is broadcasted worldwide in more than 230 countries and territories and last year (2007) over 140 million people watched.

So you may be wondering what the other great Super bowl halftime shows are that have come before Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band. The following is the top 3 most notable previous Super bowl halftime shows. If you are two young to have watched some of them are missed them for some reason or just watch to see them again you can find the appearances on video sites such as YouTube.

1. Prince, 2007: I vividly remember watching the halftime performance by Prince a few years ago and it is without a doubt the best. Prince was able to stun the audience when he played his song "Purple Rain" and he laid down a huge guitar solo. Prince played "Best of You" by The Foo Fighters and "All Along The Watchtower" by Jimi Hendrix, and his own song "Let's Go Crazy." Other songs included "We Will Rock You," "1999," "Baby I'm a Star," and "All Along the Watchtower." Prince was able to tear up the stage with his inspiring and jaw dropping performance.

2. U2, 2002: This Super bowl halftime show happened several months after September 11st 2001 and thus the nation was still healing. So U2's show was accordingly controlled and featured their single "Beautiful Day," a somber version of "Where the Streets Have No Name," and "MLK." The song "Where the Streets Have No Name" payed tribute to the victims of 9/11 and during the performance Bono wore a jacket with stars-and-stripes. The U2 performance was respectful and was a great work of showmanship.

3. Janet Jackson/Justin Timberlake, 2005: This Super bowl halftime has shaped the performances ever since. Janet Jackson had her now infamous "wardrobe malfunction" where her right breast was exposed to millions of people watching. Due to the live nature of the performance there was no one to stop the boob from being shown. This caused a massive uproar and FCC crackdown on live shows. While the music may not be remembered, the "wardrobe malfunction" will forever be. Other notable Super Bowl halftime shows consists of Aerosmith, 'N Sync, Britney Spears, Nelly, Mary J. Blige in 2001, the Rolling Stones in 2006, Michael Jackson in 1993, and Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers in 2008. Keeping with a conservative approach after the Janet Jackson incidence, Bruce Springsteen will join the ranks of many to perform before him. Many are looking forward to his show and he may just break into the top 3 of most memorable Super Bowl halftime shows.

References
1. Wikipedia: Super Bowl halftime shows
2. AskMen.com. Top 10 Super Bowl halftime shows