The Who halftime show -- A generational analysis
Other than Peyton Manning losing another big game, and the Saints win being the feel good story of the decade, there wasn't much else to like at Super Bowl 44 (Roman numerals are so first century).
The Who got wheeled in for the halftime show and in a fourteen minute performance demonstrated that there is something wrong with sixtysomethings attempting to perform like thirtysomethings. If you listend on radio you would have said outstanding performance, just like those who though Nixon beat Kennedy in 1960's presidential debate.
It was great that the very expensive laser light show and giant Simon game board were the bright, shiny objects that distracted us from the paleozoic perfomance by this ancient rock band.
The Super Bowl party Ms. Sheepdog and I attended in the shadow of the George Washington Bridge demonstrated the dearth of great performances for a halftime extravaganza.
The three eighteen year olds were just plain blase about the performance of this group. "They start their farewell tour over thirty years ago," one of the young lads said. He was absolutely correct.
While the adults, the oldest of which was four years younger than Roger Daltrey, watched these geezers make their way around the stage, there was concern that these perfomers might not make it through the end of their set. We debated whether they were lipsyncing, how long there recovery would be after the perfomance, two to six weeks was a reasonable consensus, and what ancient act would be put on the stage next year in Dallas.
The kids gave thumbs down. The adult had mixed reviews, and I a flashback of my dad telling me how great Sinatra, Crosby, and Clooney were. That's Rosemary, not George.
My eyes rolled at the time, yet I thought that history was repeating itself in that apartment overlooking the Hudson River last night, with a younger generation thinking to themselves, how about an act from the 21st Century instead of an act that still hasn't completed its farewell tour for thirty years.
Ms. Sheepdog and I discussed who would perform at future Super Bowl halftime shows, and we came up empty, sort of like last night's performance.
Who do you think should be performing at half time next year?
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Comments
I think next year they ought to consider Jimi hendrix. After last night, being dead forty years shouldn't disqualify anyone.
Has Elton John had his turn yet?
My answer is that it may be a reflection of our economy.
Buffy -- What is the NFL thinking? This group was guaranteed that there would be no wardrobe malfunctions. One of the older generation commented that Daltrey was probably wearing a truss.
MeatMonkey -- Hendrix, Jim Morrison and Janis Joplin would give quite a show.
Than you can really roll your eyes.....
John -- We crossed posts. If you can get Crosby sober enough to perform...
Brian B -- My wife and I thought Elton was a possibility, but nixed it. Too out of the mainstream for the NFL (what ever that is).
ladyfarmerjed -- It was a "safe" booking. Maybe Barry Manilow next year.
Eva T. -- Having seen them perform in their prime, this was icky(which is a technical term).
Bobbot -- I agree with everything you said. Even Kanye West.
Gary -- I looked at the link and remembered this piece from my music depreciation class in the 1970s. Toss in a couple Charles Ives pieces and you've got quite a show.
Janie -- I thought they were going to fall off the stage into that electrical grid.
Do not ruin life for those of us who choose to live in the past or... better yet in our own world. Where we never get old, and pussy cats and butterflies fly free. Well... except for the cats. That'd just be wrong.
Time for my nap.
Chris Brown -- What you said about Favre is right on... the 60 somethings should have "almost" made it to the super bowl.
Young people do seem willing to give the classic rockers a chance though. My eighteen year old likes Guns 'n Roses and some of the Stones stuff.
The halftime show sucked. I felt so sad for him and for me. Do I dare introduce him to Cream? Ginger Baker looked like he was ready to be wheeled out on a cart at their reunion performance last year.
Plus the songs are commercials. I was half expecting Horatio to come up on stage and start analyzing the crime scene ... plus Daltry looked too much like Austin Powers for me to take it seriously.
Oh, and OESheepdog. Punk'd.
Dear reader -- Not the young people that were watching it with us last night.
Juliet -- As I said last night most of their peers at the game were using the rest rooms. Bladders and prostates ain't what they used to be.
Stim -- Gruesome, isn't it?
Hells Bells -- I would just let him listen to the music and not see the performers... it's a public service.
Ann -- Count On Losing This Sunday. I know why you feel the way you do about Brees. You're right about the Austin Powers comparison. When David McCallum who used to be THE HEARTHROB in the 60s shows up as geeky geezer on NCIS, it's time for The Who to exit, stage right.
Kathy -- I did that just for you, dear friend.
One of my biggest disappointments in life was seeing The Police in a live show two years ago. I loved them in high school but couldn't afford a ticket. Now... Sting can't hit the notes. It made me sad, and sort of let the air out of the performance.
If the NFL is going to stick with geezer rock, I'd vote for Bon Jovi. John Bon Jovi still looks and sounds like he's 25. I wasn't even much of a fan back when they were new and fresh... but he can still rock now and he doesn't need a wheelchair.
But I'd rather they found someone relevant, someone who's had a hit in, say, the last 15 years.
I think the choice of halftime performers for the Super Bowl reveals much about the target audience for the event.
Next year? Maybe some girl band. Or Dire Straits.
VR -- You're a girl after my own heart. I rated your comment.
Froggy -- You are right about finding someone who had a hit in the last decade and a half. It popular music soooo bad, you can't find any quality artist of the last fifteen years?
Deb -- I would love to see Heart perform, but everyone in events management think Ann Wilson is too large to appear on stage. I say that is wrong. Madonna would be fun too, but I think she has the sense to stay off the stage. Her singing "Like a Virgin" seems oxymoronic at this stage of her life.
Candace -- See my comment to MeatMonkey above. Have five groups that were "one hit wonders" come back and perform.
But of course, it would be great to see some younger talent up there. Hey maybe even some women (besides one with a wardrobe malfunction). Maybe next year it will be Lady Gaga if she's still hawt. It's obviously a corporate rock setting.
My dream band there would be NIRVANA (with Kurt) but besides that some of the other Club 27 as mentioned here Janis, Jimi, Jim.
Guess I'm stuck in the late 6o's ...
(Enter voice of dissent)
Despite the fact that The Who are geezers, I think they still rock. Why is it that we expect old people to "grow up?" Spare me the lecture on age appropriate endeavors.
Next year, my wife and I suggest, a "salute to disco" starting with a reprise from John Travolta coming on stage strutting with a can of paint in each hand followed by Donna Summer, KC & the Sunshine Band, the Bee Gees and for a big finish--"Disco Duck". It's a sure winner--especially if they lower the world's largest Disco Ball, let's say 50 feet across.
Don't know about you, but I the geezer was dancing when they were playing, and yes body parts were flabbing. Face it, that generation made rock'n roll.
And as for Mick, who logs in about eight miles per performance, can you sing, dance, and cavort on a stage for hours? The Stones still sell out every performance! Name one band today that's likely to still be selling out every performance 40 years from now!! And as Mick himself said without a second's hesitation when asked by Dick Cavett when he was about 22 years old, if he saw himself still performing at age 60, "Yes! Absolutely!"
Rock on, Pete, Roger, Mick, and Keith!! Rock and roll forever!!
Anyways, to answer your question Lady Gaga would be the obvious choice. She is relevant, talented and plays one mean piano. And for the conservatives in the audience, she has performed on numerous award shows with nary a wardrobe malfunction.
I will admit though, with the advent of file sharing and the fragmentation of radio, it is harder to find superstar artists whom everyone has heard of. I think that, plus the Janet Jackson fears, is why we get so many old fogey acts.
I wanted Daltry to scream. I wanted there to be the same hope of revolution in the original, but, alas, to read it clearly is to realize there is none.
Oh, and the Colts lost. And deserved to lose. But you can't pin it on Manning. Just bad play all around.
2) Next year: Keith Moon and John Entwhistle as the Who.
3) Announce Beyonce and Jay-Z, but then bring out Rick Astley.
4) A reality-TV show with the winner getting to perform. (Don't get any ideas, Simon.)
5) Sly & the Family Stone: we can take bets on whether they show up.
I also think there may have been IV's waiting for them backstage to reconstitute them afterward.
I noticed you didn't mention stomach-gate.
http://open.salon.com/blog/k_manky/2010/02/07/super_bore_half-time_show_aka_stomach-gate_1
I noticed you didn't mention stomach-gate.
http://open.salon.com/blog/k_manky/2010/02/07/super_bore_half-time_show_aka_stomach-gate_1
I noticed you didn't mention stomach-gate.
http://open.salon.com/blog/k_manky/2010/02/07/super_bore_half-time_show_aka_stomach-gate_1
R
Actually, I was the one saying I would have liked to see Rihanna and Jay-Z while the 33 year old was singing along to the Who songs...people a lot younger, even younger than early 30's actually like music from back in the day...music that embarrasses us - maybe we don't like people our age appearing foolish but should it really reflect on us just because we are in that age range or generation?
the problem is, they have to get some act that is going to have the widest amount of appeal as possible, and i think newer generations care less about this game than their predecessors.
would anyone prefer Miley Cyrus or the Jonas brothers (though one's gone solo) instead? this gets chalked up to the old adage, "be careful what you wish for."
Scarlett -- Franlky my dear, oops wrong Scarlett. I think Lady Gaga would be a good choice.
Surly -- Elvis would be fine with me.
Elvira -- Old people should rock. Their songs and the mental model of who they were when they first performed was incongruent with the performance last night. We can respectfully agree to disagree.
I'm almost 55 years old. When I was 47 I was still playing in a softball league, until I took a line drive in the face that required stitches. While I loved playing the game I knew it was time to hang up my glove. Five years earlier I would have either dodged the line drive or caught it.
Gordon -- Why not Alice in chains?
Bonnie -- The Stones performed four years ago at SB 40.
Walt -- Ugh!
Stellaa -- fine let them perform...is the Super Bowl the right venue?
SBA -- Point taken.
Julie -- I missed it(Jackson's nipple). I was walking the dogs at half time.
L&P -- Ye gods...that's too bad.
Scarlett -- I thought the venue was wrong. There are other artists who should have the venue.
Travis -- Younger artists should get all the exposure they can.
Occam -- It does not fit now.
rated for under the shadow of the George Washington Bridge my old stomping grounds. I have no recommendation. I'm still trying to get that perfomrance out ofmy head. Wasn't it Townsend who said "I hope I die before I get old"?
Frank -- I never watch CSI , so I didn't make the connection. Yeah the onside kick, no pass rush without Freeney, yet the Colts were still in the game. The pick six was the game changer for me. But my opinions about Manning are well known and documented.
Cranky cuss -- all good options.
candace -- You could the all airplane crash group: Buddy Holly, Big Bopper, Ritchie Valens, Rick Nelson, Jim Croce.
Tom -- Exactly, no precisely.
Silkstone -- Espressos? IVs afterwards? Hmmm.
Kimberly -- I thought it was better left unsaid.
sweetfeet -- Donny and Marie Osmond?
AR -- Very intriguing and articulate comment. Thanks for stopping by.
John -- How about the Piels Brothers?
Roger -- Dixie Chicks for "balance"? Pink?
Leonde -- I've never been ashamed of the music. It seemed out of context with the performers.
Greg -- I look forward to your comments. I think that's a valid suggestion. Thanks for stopping by.
Kylie -- It's not harsh, this was just a microcosm of two generations in an apartment in Washington Heights watching the game. The 18 year olds actually watched halftime with the adults. Of course dessert was also there.
Greg: I was thinking the same thing. But you wouldn't expect 60s rock and rollers to "age gracefully" Not in the job description.
Stellaa -- I think Janet JAckson's exposure is directly related to why we have seen older performers than more contemporary one. Janet was in her mid 30s when she pulled it off too. she wasn't an 18 year old.
Go lay down -- I haven't been called an imbecile since my mother passed away. Thanks for the vitriol. Not to be confused with Geritol. I respect your point of view.
OE Absolutely ... as I said ...Lady GaGa all the way. She shot fireworks from her brassierre last time she played in these parts.
This could also lead to an interesting wardrobe malfunction for those awaiting such things too ...
cheers
They should have someone that is popular now.
Pink Floyd, or maybe CSN who sucked when they Colbert show.
How much cooler would it have been if the featured great acts from New Orleans and Indianapolis? Nevilles, Dr. John, Irma Thomas with John Menncamp, John Hiatt and Axl Rose?
"I'm a little bit card-i-ac...."
Donny and Marie can lull us to sleep in 2011!!!
: )
Blue in TX -- Bingo
Leonde -- Ah I get it now. Thanks
Blair -- the use of logical is commended. The use of logic with the NFL and CBS is probably a waste of time and effort.
All of that being said, to compare the authors of "Wopn't Get Fooled Again," "Behind Blue Eyes," "The Kids are Awright," "Baba O'Riley," and "Substitute" to fucking Huey Lewis, even facetiously, is far more disgraceful than anything The Who did last night.
Stacey -- See Silkstone's comment Too much espresso?
This is like Sinatra sounding flat on "New York, New York."
CMM -- Very cool story. Thanks.
who is booking these things? oh, cbs.
On the other hand I would have loved it if Lady Ga Ga did her thing instead. YMMV.
The problem, as I see it, isn't that The Who or the Stones are old--it's that they are no longer relevant. They're boring, resting on their musical laurels. They don't create new music, they don't reinterpret their catalog, they merely play the same songs, the same way, for the same uncritical fans. Their old road is rapidly fading.
On the other hand, visionary and evolving older artists like Neil Young, Richard Thompson, or Dylan continue to challenge their fans with interesting new music and they re-contextualize their older material for the current world. They are still relevant.
And who should play the halftime show? Frankly I'd like to see crackerjack marching bands tear it up.
And then...
Dispense with the overblown, protracted halftime spectacle. Can we just have a normal 15-minute halftime and get back to the actual reason everyone's there...you know, the football game?
See. Ugh. I wish I could manage these bands for events such as these.
a. they should have given it up years ago. What? Are they hurting for money or something? I mean, really. What possesses them?
b. if they are going to perform, there are ways to do where they look dignified and cool. they're outfits were silly, for instance. why not go simple? why not go for a strong acoustic set? that might not be superbowl appropriate, but either is rocking out apparently.
c. i DO believe you can play your music until you drop...you just have to adjust accordingly. look at neil young or springsteen for example.
and i LOVE the who.
It was the Pete & Roger show and for what it was, it was fine. They were among a tiny percentage of their peers who could do what they did in their teens and twenties, and they are among an even tinier percentage of their peers who could manage to do what they did Sunday.
Long Live Rock.
Next year - Huey Lewis and the News, if the geezer parade continues.
If you gotta play at Garden Parties,
I wish you a lot of luck,
But if memories were all I sing
I'd rather drive a truck.
They won't put young acts on, because the old farts who still watch football don't care about hip-hop or modern pop. They want driving beats to go along with the violence on field, and most modern pop songs are ballads wailed by sandy-voiced boys and girls. Forget contemporary black acts, too.
At least Neil Young apparently has the sense to capitalize on his body of existing work rather than publicly humiliating himself for pay. Plus, he's still got it, in my humble estimation.
And while I'm admittedly not that well-versed in twenty-first-century musical acts, I didn't stop following music in '81 like too many of my peers. And I'm at least willing to press "play" or put the needle on the vinyl before passing judgment on a band or song which I haven't yet heard.
And I continue to be amazed at the number of contemporary "alternative" bands that sound like The Velvet Underground! (Hey, there's an idea for half-time! "Venus In Furs", with Janet Jackson acting out the lyrics!)
Exactly. And The Who have not adapted, unfortunately.
Today's performers do bring concern for their public behavior and many just aren't very good. Choosing someone who would have wide appeal and not offend most of the viewers is certainly a challenge. Their are oldies who could carry it off, Bruce, Eric and some others have been mentioned. They still sound good and do not try to act like they are 20 again. Of course, I rarely watch the Super Bowl but this year had interest in both teams. I was stunned at how little of it was actually football. Halftime and commercials seemed to overwhelm the actual sport.
Lady Gaga, or Kayne West, or Akon, or all of them at once.