The word is out.
The halftime entertainment at this year's Super Bowl will be The Who.
And so the generation gap will be bridged throughout America tonight in the form of an Abbott & Costello routine.
The Who heads to the Super Bowl
Posted by Mike Florio on November 12, 2009 1:25 PM ET
Thank you Justin Timberlake and Janet Jackson for allowing me time to watch something completely different than the superbowl halftime show.
Really wish they'd mix in a bit of Gen X as opposed to keeping the show Gen Old.
For example, Metallica and Korn would put on excellent, high energy performances. Hell, even Green Day would be an upgrade to the lame shit they keep getting.
Wow, you know the SB is big when they decide to dig up Keith Moon to play at halftime.
I can't wait until next year - Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart...I hear he rocks!
To call them The Who is an insult to Keith Moon and Jon Entwhistle. Roger Daltrey and Pete Townshend should thank the creators of CSI.
Wow. Goodell really does want to draw in that British audience, doesn't he?
When will they learn that the fooball audience is 14-50 year old males, not 74 year old hippies?
Good, notice McCartney, Petty, the Who...none of which are cheap gimmick glam acts (like Janet Jackson, Justin Timberlake) are now being booked for this? After that stupid gimmick display a few years back, the league learned their lesson.
It's not The Who. It's Daltry and Townshend. The Who finally died with Entwhistle.
What is it with these senior citizens doing the halftime show at the superbowl?
Dont get me wrong they put on a good show, but is this all because we saw some saggy has beens teet some time ago?
what channel is the lingerie bowl on??
i approve.
now play 'slip kid' , boys.
I'm good with this. You already know that it's a singer or band over 50 so you're not getting the White Stripes or Lil' Wayne. Given that, you could do WAY worse than one of the top 10 bands of all time.
jj jones says:
November 12, 2009 1:38 PM
To call them The Who is an insult to Keith Moon and Jon Entwhistle. Roger Daltrey and Pete Townshend should thank the creators of CSI.
-------------------
I think Pete thanks the creators of CSI every time he cashes his big fat checks.
:facepalm:
does the NFL even know who their target audience is? i mean the who? really? this might have been cool if this was the superbowl in 1976. How about some modern artists?
I look forward to the superbowl in 2040, when they get Metallica to perform!
SO glad it's not the effing Black Eyed Peas. Their season opening show before the Pittsburgh game was atrocious. I was even embarassed for them they sucked so bad.
what a horrible choice.....just a boring, run of the mill, conservative pick for halftime entertainment....they just keep cycling through the same old washed up crap....who, tom petty, aerosmith, rolling stones....get something new...spice it up a little bit...they are sooo scared to get a little edgy
So Sports Illustrated broke this news, yet you link to Yahoo!, which attributes the news to Sports Illustrated.
Does Florio have a deal with Yahoo or something?
The who is better than anything else they've had recently.
I think if I was going to pick 1 pretty much universally liked band to play I'd pick Pearl Jam
This is a slam dunk isn't it?!
Land Shark Stadium... Miami... Jimmy Buffet. Hello?
Actually, I'd like to see some old skool Fresh Prince and DJ Jazzy Jeff. Some of this....
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jrq34vogNb0
Yea!
SWEET!! I will actually watch it this year then! The Who is the greatest rock band of all time, and getting a chance to see them while they can still play, which they can, is a treat!! Stuff it haters... you can watch your pop-tarts when you get old! Oh yeah... the no talent-studio made dooshbags doing pop music today don't last more than 3 months...sorry I forgot...
Early guess at the setlist:
Baba O'Riley
Who Are You
Pinball Wizard
Bargain
It hasn't been The Who since Keith Moon died. Now, it's like watching an old-timer's game. They should just show The Who's set during "Monterey Pop." As the annnouncer says at the beginning, "they will destroy you completely in more ways than one." Some of you will know what that means.
18-35 year old males are the biggest demographic in the NFL's fanbase...So they trot guys that were big before most of their fans were born...riiiight. The Super Bowl halftime shot has been irrelevant for a good 5 years now.
Who?
Had no problem with McCartney, even Petty.... but Townshend-Daltrey is getting a bit carried away, dontchathink?
Do people actually watch the halftime show?
Thats usually 45-50 min of good solid drinking/smoking time outside talking about the first half.
Who the hell decides these things - and are they younger than 95?
So many great bands out there - 7 Mary 3, Shinedown, Green Day, Porcupine Tree, Pearl Jam, etc. and we have to listen to a band that was old when I was a kid in the 70s?
I wonder if they will have walkers with them on stage.
Who will it be next year - Elvis?
At first I was a bit surprised at the negative comments about The Who, but now I understand that it is just disappointment. Most of the children who have made these negative comments are no doubt disappointed that they are not able to see their heroes The Jonas Brothers perform at the Super Bowl.
I can't believe the opposition on here to the Who... I understand half the band is dead, but the last 15 years of music can't touch anything The Who ever put out, and Pete Townsend is still a guitar ninja.
For the young whipper-snappers like mooremi9 and stillerz, a lot of other young whipper-snappers like myself (I am all of 28) appreciate good, REAL music, and don't care about MTV and lady googoogaga, or nickelodeon and it's fart jokes...
jj jones says:
November 12, 2009 1:38 PM
To call them The Who is an insult to Keith Moon and Jon Entwhistle. Roger Daltrey and Pete Townshend should thank the creators of CSI.
********
It's a good thing it's on CBS. I suppose they will show upcoming previews of the CSI empire while their theme songs are playing.
Should be the WU-TANG CLAN. Now that's something I'd actually want to watch.
I went to their farewell tour... in 1989.
Oh good, I'll have plenty of time to get drinks and grill some steaks by ignoring yet another forgetable/not worth watching half time "show."
Can we PLEASE stop trotting out these groups that should have ceased performing several decades ago?
I basically agree with everyone on this one. No, we don't need to see Miley Cyrus or the Jonas Brothers at halftime, but for the love of Christ, can we get someone that has been relevant in the last decade or so? Or at least a group that has more than 2 living members? Who is it going to be next year? The Beatles? The Ramones?
great choice with the who.
and for you ppl bitching about these halftime shows i think your on crack we have had some of the best half times shows since the jackson thing.
prince was fantastic
tom petty was great
stones where good although mic jagger makes me want to vomit
the boss was good and i hate the boss
the fact is the music acts today are garbage, maybe the youth of america will get turned on to some of these real talents and music can make a come back in the next 10 years
urinal mint says:
November 12, 2009 1:57 PM
Early guess at the setlist:
Baba O'Riley
Who Are You
Pinball Wizard
Bargain
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I'm guessing there will be some medley of Baba, Who Are You and Won't Get Fooled. Throw in Pinball Wizard and My Generation or Substitute (first song) and you have enough music to fill the half.
Bronkko says:
November 12, 2009 2:16 PM
I went to their farewell tour... in 1989.
---------------------------
Farewell tour was in 82 (emphasizes your point even more)
Reunion /Tommy 20th anniversary tour was in 89
Haha
Some of you think football is for the fans.
It's really for the money.
Who has more money than anyone?
Corporate geezers who buy the advertising, own the teams, hire the coaches, buy the tickets, rent the suites, push the products (using players as props), set the odds, analyze the games and finance an annual spectacle more gaudy than Wayne Newton hip-hopping with Lady Gaga.
Of course the NFL (and TV execs) will produce a show designed to tickle the geezers' nuts.
Why does anyone expect anything different?
How about mixing it up a bit. The Stones sounded like a good idea a few years back, until they delivered a horrible halftime show.
The world health organization? Will they be handing out flu shots?
Interesting move, given that Pete Townshend was placed on a Sex Offender Registry for 5 years for accessing...well, you know.
I am in the 18-35 demographic and I like this choice. I've liked all the bands they have chosen since the Jackson/Timberlake fiasco. You can't go wrong with these bands that have proven themselves over several decades. Young people should pay attention at halftime to what real music sounds like.
Look out America!
Regular season games in Canada and the UK.
London to get more, possibly a franchise and maybe the Super Bowl.
Now The Who...
Looks like this ain't YOUR game anymore. It clearly belongs to everyone and the number crunchers at the NFL corporate office obviously know it.
When the foo fighters played Wembley Stadium, Jimmy Page and John Paul Jones joined them on stage for a couple of numbers. The same act would draw in the Gen Xers and fellate the British audience all at once. And would roxors the boxers. The Who??? Really???
@mlegue810-
Agreed. Would be nice to see someone relevant to today that isn't blown up on MTV. Lots of good bands worthy of playing the Super Bowl. No idea why they keep going to people most of their target audience has never heard.
Wasn't Barry Manilow available?
I think most people watching at home could care less what entertainment they have during halftime, as everyone is busy going to the bathroom and/or getting more beer.
Recent halftime shows have been borderline unwatchable, particularly the shill mob they bring in to surround the stage and act interested.
Besides... The Who? Good grief, they're about as relevant now as April Wine, Meat Loaf and the Partridge Family.
I can't believe The Who bashing going on here. I'm 25 years of age, and I think that their music is some of the best around. I especially loved Tommy and Who's Next.
I really don't think that Korn or Metallica is fits the NFL product. Besides, I can say the same thing about them as most of you said about The Who, the 80's and 90's called, and they want Metallica and Korn back, respectively. Besides, when is the last time you heard anything by Metallica or Korn in an NFL stadium besides "Enter Sandman"?
I would not mind seeing Green Day perform at the Super Bowl. I saw them live this summer. They put on a great show. They are kind of pissy about censorship though, which I am sure that the NFL and Green Day would be incompatible on.
To the person who wants Shinedown on, are you serious? I mean, they're okay, I've seen them live, and they have an excellent vocalist, but they sound like every other band out there.
Seriously guys, Daltry and Townshend are going to put on a show that is going to be epic.
look these acts may be old but at least they do what what you are supposed to do and that is play music!they do do jump around onstage and lip sychnc to scratching records.no these old acts actualy play instraments and sing not talk real fast with somebody else's music they stole I mean sampled because they are not talented enough to write thier own. the one act they need to get is zeppelin.that would shatter any viewer records and make the game irrelevent.I am 50 years old and there is no way in hell I will ever sit thru halftime to listen any rap/hip/hop r&b crap.
AC/DC anyone?????
Two Words - Golgo Bordello. Best live show ever.
@Stillerz ...
"When will they learn that the fooball audience is 14-50 year old males, not 74 year old hippies?"
--------------------------------------------
Excuse me. Girl in the room. Just thought I'd say hello.
@jliskiew and LarryDavid ... For a minute I was starting to think I was the only one who likes classic rock! Okay, so the Stones were dull. But Prince, Petty, and the Boss rocked it! Yeah, I'd love to see Green Day, Daughtry, Pink, and other current artists. But I'd rather see The Who than Miley Cyrus and the Jonas Brothers (yech!)--and I'll lay odd that if the NFL decided to go current, that's who they'd book.
So the NFL must have believed that BS that Townsend said when he got caught checking out child porn on the internet...........
Well I've seen the Who 3 times so I am a fan.
Though I must ask has anyone heard Daltry the past couple years? His voice is pretty much shot after all these years.
Agree w/ those that would prefer Green Day or something else.
Damn it!!! Bring back.."Up with People".
Yeah Korn would definitely put on a badass halftime show. Along with some System of A Down. Now that'd be a halftime show I'd watch for sure. Otherwise, I'm going to change the channel to watch Family Feud until football is back on.
I hear that Gary Glitter is going to make a guest appearance and sing "Thank Heave for Little Girls" with Townsend.
lets hope there isnt a " costume malfunction" that would expose their depends adult diaper apparatus
Good choice. REAL music.
They got the name wrong. Since John died, they are now known as "THE TWO".
People, come on... this is like a D.J. booth, YOU CAN"T please everyone.. and what better band , than the WHO.. I mean.... They are pretty awesome, and legends... it's not like they cram themselves down everyones throat, every year... give em a chance, they're legends, awesome, good tunes, and this generation,(no pun) still can mumble thru 90% of baba o riley, wont' get fooled again, my generation, love reign on me, can't explain, my generation.. come on people... mayb we can get lady gaga... music, ain't even music anymore... 42 old fort worth TX., I will most definetly watch the half time show this year... who are You?
# DonTerrelli says: November 12, 2009 1:51 PM
SO glad it's not the effing Black Eyed Peas. Their season opening show before the Pittsburgh game was atrocious. I was even embarassed for them they sucked so bad.
Couldn't agree more. They even looked pained by it. These pre or during musical performances at sporting events always seem awkward at best. One recent exception was Prince. He friggin' rocked the house...
OK at all of you people saying that Lil Wayne and all this crap wouldnt be good... I am a 26 y/o male and agree with you. But I do not want to watch a bunch of old men who cant even move around do a halftime show. There has to be something in the Middle. No one gives a damn about The Who, they arent even relevant. I honestly think the Black Eyed Peas would be great. They are on the brink of not being inappropriate and their music is catchy. They should never do these old folks again. And I mean this in no offense to the older people on this website so please dont take any! I'd rather hear Aerosmith to be honest.
Conway Twitty in 2011
Petty was actually good, surprised there.
Not gonna bother watching the Who though, Lingerie Bowl will be on.
http://www.lflus.com/
"music, ain't even music anymore"
I hope you get the irony of that statement in relation to rockers from bygone eras.
I'm 21 I think todays music absolutely sucks compared to my dad's era so I'm glad they picked The Who. Now next year should be Van Halen, ZZ Top, or Metallica
Really? Football fans care about what fills 12 minutes of the gap between the two halves of the Super Bowl?
Put down the guacamole, get up, pee, grab a beer, restock the chips and get back in your seat for the second half kick off.
Who here is going to decide to watch the Super Bowl based on the halftime show? I'm there to watch the game. Half time does not matter.
Do you really think the ad revenue is dropping because they are picking older bands? Do you really think they wouldn't bring in a younger performer if it would help their cash flow?
They know what they are doing, and why do football fans care.
There is definitely middle ground between The Who and The Jonas Brothers or any other pop act right now...its called the 70s, 80s and 90s. There are plenty of bands that are still semi relevant, with all origional band members alive, that would rock the Super Bowl halftime. The Who were great and have some good music but if you want to hear that music, buy their old albums, don't have them play at half-time of the Super Bowl. And most of the people who are saying that music now a days is crap need to stop it, your just sounding like your parents did when you were younger.
Just watch Goodell fine Townsend for smashing the drum kit with his guitar ("Excessive Celebration") at the end of the set.
I have to laugh at the references to Prince's half time show, because the day after the Super Bowl, there were a ton of pics floating around the net, that were taken at the right angle, when Prince was standing behind the curtain, and his shadow made his guitar look like it was his package......
HE was chosen, because it was safer after the whole Janet Jackson boob incident, and he is standing there, with a guitar that looks highly falic in the shadows, CLASSIC!!!!!
The Who is great - You're never going to make everyone happy, but I must say its a lot better than the crap they had when MTV was running the show.
To the folks that want a "younger" rock act for the SB: Is there a band out there that can fill an arena, let alone a football stadium, these days that ISN'T over 50? Pearl Jam? Incomprhensible lyrics. Phish? You've had too much second hand. Foo Fighters? Maybe if their last CD didn't suck. Green Day? Fox would never let on a band that sang "American Idiot" (hits too close to home with the Fox demographic). Face it, it's your Daddy's crappy music for the forseeable future.
How about AC/DC...... or Kiss..... or Guns n Roses...... or anyone who's music is actually played during a game instead of these 90 yr old geezers.
@Otis Taylor 89 LMFAO!! The halftime show is becoming "Must not see T.V.". P.S. who is the Who??
@mw: Yes, I expect the NFL to cater to the rich.
BUT... Jay-Z and Alicia Keys did a hell of a job at the World Series, and there were lots of rich people funding that too.
And correct me if I'm wrong, but Jay-Z and Alicia Keys have sold a lot more records, are younger, and are more relevant than The Who.
Here is a link to the pic I mentioned earlier, and yes, I realize my spelling of phallic was wrong......
http://stereogum.com/archives/a-princely-phallus_004549.html
Jonas Brothers and Miley Cyrus would absolutely blow. So would pretty much anything getting an MTV award these days.
And I'm not knocking The Who, but come on.. How about something more relevant to today, hmm?
Pearl Jam and Foo Fighters are two great bands, still relevant today that would rock the Superbowl. And I still maintain that Korn or Metallica would be phenomenal half time performers. Even the Red Hot Chili Peppers or Incubus would work, so long as Incubus mixed in some stuff off their S.C.I.E.N.C.E. album.
I know everyone has different taste, but the above listed bands are bands that have relatively broad appeal and are still relevant to today. It shouldn't be that hard to get a modern performer.
@hotchick ...
Although I enjoy a good halftime show when we have a good halftime show, basically I'm with you. The only thing that really annoys me about halftime shows is when they smoke up the field and the smoke's still hanging when the third quarter starts. For football fans, it's all about the game and if the folks that just show up once a year for the spectacle aren't sufficiently entertained, that's their problem.
Maybe Chris Brown and Rihanna could do a duet. He could go all James Harrison on her ass again at the end.
Korn and Metallica ! Now that's what I call relevant music !
The Who?
Korn and Flyleaf. Sammy Hagar's always a good rockin' party for all ages and he's like 60.
Play "Behind Blue Eyes"!
52 year old 'relic' here who remembers the band from the '70's (IMHO, "Quadrophenia" is the greatest R&R album EVER recorded - and this coming from a dyed-in-the-wool Stones fanatic!).
My "dream setlist" from the guys for the halftime show would be:
'5:15'
'Relay'
'The Seeker'
'I'm One'
'Another Tricky Day'
'I'm Free'
Doubtful ANY of these songs will be played, be they're simply brilliant!
(BTW kids, take notice of the drummer, a Mr. Zac Starkey. He of Mr. Richard Starkey' stalk, he's a maniac on the skins and also has played with Oasis. He's a beast!!)
To sum up: I sympathize with the under 40 crowd - there are incredible bands (Foo Fighters, Pearl Jam, Artic Monkees) out there, not to mention other genres of music, i.e., soul (Al Green anyone?!), R&B, Funk (what about George Clinton?), country (some Willie would be awesome!) - it does seem that the Super Bowl is stuck in a time warp in denial with regards current music. But bear with us, your time is coming (actually, it's now!) and you'll have your day. Soon enough, we'll be in our rocking chairs. But we'll have Zep, Stones, Who, Neil Young and Genesis playing on our IPods!!
I got a compromise for all the Green Day fans.
The Who start off with
We won't get fooled again..
And then...
Know your enemy.
Now if I ever hear about the Who covering "Know your enemy" I would move heaven and earth to be there. Cuz that song reeks of the Who's influence on Green Day.
Goodell made a good choice and if it had been Green Day I'd say the same thing.
You Green Day fans need to start a movement for next year's SB
Metallica!
In all do respect to the Who, who are rock legends, who decided to book these guys. Im assuming the only wardrobe malfunction that can possibly happen, is seeing the shit stains in their pants from a leaky dirty diaper.
How about letting Rush Limbaugh run around with no shirt on, and let 5 Pro-Bowlers from the AFC and 5 from the NFC shoot at him with paintballs. We would PAY for that halftime show!!!
Dave Matthews Band might be OK. I've seen the WHO about 6 times (back when they were, you know, ALIVE. Some great shows, some not so great, Depending on their drug of choice that particular year.
The heroin years were bad, Clapton, Stones, Zepplin all did some pretty horrible tours.
Daltry is doing a solo tour now & his voice is just ---gone. Love their music but hope Pete still has his chops.
Great half time show would be Pink Floyd but I'm not sure all the electronics could be carted in and hauled off in the short amount of time available.
British sex offender to play Super Bowl XLIV half time?
http://www.butlerreport.com/News/BRNews_NFL_Townshend.html
Hey parents of America, if you like Janet, you'll LOVE Pete. "WHO's that playing mommy? Oh that's a sex offender from England." Great move NFL.