After Bruce Springsteen, Who’s Next for the Super Bowl?
After decades of sugar-coated pop debacles, the NFL has served up a parade of legends during halftime of the big game. In recent years, the Super Bowl has delivered Paul McCartney, the Rolling Stone, U2, Tom Petty, Aerosmith and now Bruce Springsteen. But where does the NFL go from here?
It’s a tall order to fill: applicants must be legendary but still active, rocking but not raucous, and as big as the game itself. So who’s left? Oddsmakers are already lining up favorites for next year’s Lombardi Trophy (The Patriots? Really? No love for your new champs, the Pittsburgh Steelers? Your loss, Vegas.), so we thought we’d set the odds for next year’s halftime show. The NFL could go country (Tim McGraw? Taylor Swift?) or pop (Kelly Clarkson will soon return to us), but you have to presume they’ll stick with what works — big rock from big names. We have, of course, completely pulled these names and numbers out of thin air, plus gambling’s illegal just about everywhere, so keep your money in your wallet.
The Who
Pros: Legendary band with a sound louder than the game itself.
Cons: None. They’re the Who.
Odds: 3/2
Bon Jovi
Pros: A catalog full of arena rock sing-along jams and status as one of the biggest bands in the world make them a solid choice.
Cons: Bon Jovi coming on the heels of Springsteen might cause a full on Jersey meltdown.
Odds: 2/1
AC/DC
Pros: These kings of arena rock are mainstays over stadium PA systems across the NFL.
Cons: Brian Johnson’s howl might scare your kids.
Odds: 3/1
John Mellencamp
Pros: Heartland rock would play great on the most American stage of them all.
Cons: He’s done the World Series… Would the NFL double dip?
Odds: 4/1
Metallica
Pros: The biggest hard rock band of the last 20 years.
Cons: Are they too metal for the mainstream?
Odds: 5/1
Van Halen
Pros: Reunited hard rock legends with a busload of stadium-ready anthems
. Cons: If you thought Springsteen’s crotch-first slide was a bit much, wait until Diamond Dave gets up there.
Odds:5/1
Nickelback
Pros: The band’s arena rock would be a perfect fit.
Cons: Canadians may get lost looking for the field’s 55-yard line.
Odds: 5/1
Green Day
Pros: A band in its prime with the energy and songs to fill.
Cons: Four words — Tre Cool wardrobe malfunction.
Odds: 6/1
Foo Fighters
Pros: Big, loud and inspirational, the band’s music is a natural for the game. Plus, Prince already gave us a taste of the Foos during his halftime set two years ago.
Cons: Might be too raucous for the game’s family-friendly vibe. If Dave Grohl dips into the Probot catalog, hearing aids from coast-to-coast will short out.
Odds: 7/1
Jay-Z
Pros: Hip-hop is the soundtrack of Super Bowl weekend.
Cons: Is the NFL ready to put hip-hop front and center?
Odds: 8/1
What do you think? Who should the NFL line up for next year’s Super Bowl halftime show? Guns n’ Roses? Coldplay? Let the debate begin.
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• Bruce Springsteen Deliver on Super Bowl XLIII Party Promise
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