Springsteen and the E Street Band

Organizers once reserved Superbowl halftime shows for local and college marching bands, but thankfully, those days are gone. As the big game gained in popularity, the NFL started booking big name musical acts to perform.

Organizers once reserved Superbowl halftime shows for local and college marching bands, but thankfully, those days are gone. As the big game gained in popularity, the NFL started booking big name musical acts to perform. Starting in 1988 with Chubby Checker, there have been some hits mixed with a few misses along the way . . . think Michael Jackson in 1993 versus that awful ‘N Sync, Britney Spears, and Aerosmith performance in 2001.

Recently though, the NFL, with the backing of some big name sponsors, has started the tradition of hosting classic rock artists for the halftime show. The past four years have seen performances by Paul McCartney, the Rolling Stones, Prince, and Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers. Yesterday’s announcement, confirming Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band as halftime show headliners, adds another great name to the list.

Originally rumored by the New York Post and confirmed yesterday during the Philadelphia Eagles/Chicago Bears game, Springsteen and Company will play the most-watched musical performance in the world, scheduled for February 1. With over 148 million US viewers and an international broadcast audience that reaches 230 countries and territories, this will be Springsteen’s biggest show to date. Having concluded his tour last month at the Harley Davidson anniversary party in Milwaukee, the E Street Band is in prime condition to rock the world in five months.

NBC will broadcast Superbowl XLIII live from Tampa’s Raymond James Stadium. Don Mischer Productions and White Cherry Entertainment will once again be producing the halftime show, having been responsible for the past four successful years, and as with last year’s show, Bridgestone will again be the sponsor.