The Super Bowl halftime show has become a spectacle almost as big as the game itself. Millions of people around the world will tune in this year to watch Usher take the stage at Super Bowl LVIII. Other artists who’ve performed in the past include Michael Jackson, Madonna, Prince, Paul McCartney, Beyoncé, and Lady Gaga, just to name a few.
However, the Super Bowl halftime shows haven’t always been star-studded. Before the 1990s, the halftime entertainment usually consisted of marching bands and drill teams commonly seen at college football games.
The first Super Bowl was held at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in 1967. The halftime entertainment included trumpeter Al Hirt, a local high school drill team and the marching bands of Grambling State University and the University of Arizona. But the most memorable performers might have been the Bell Rocket Air Men flying around in jet packs. Vic Stein/APThe New Christy Minstrels, a folk and pop group, were one of the performers during the Super Bowl halftime show in 1970. The game was held at Tulane Stadium in New Orleans, so the show’s theme was tribute to Mardi Gras. Underwood Archives/Getty ImagesHirt plays the trumpet while Ella Fitzgerald sings at the Super Bowl in 1972. The show that year paid tribute to jazz legend Louis Armstrong, who died the year before.
Jerry Cooke/Corbis/Getty Images
The halftime show in 1977 was produced by Disney, and the theme was ‘It’s a Small World.’
Heinz Kluetmeier/Sports Illustrated/Getty Images
A Mardi Gras-themed float is part of the show in 1981, which took place inside the Louisiana Superdome.The crowd contributes a colorful background to the Super Bowl halftime show in 1983, held at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California.
Robert Riger/Getty Images
The NFL switched things up in 1991, featuring popular boy band New Kids on the Block for the Super Bowl’s 25th anniversary; however, TV audiences didn’t see the show until after the game due to ABC’s Gulf War news report.
Gin Ellis/Getty Images
The ‘King of Pop,’ Michael Jackson, performed several of his hit songs in 1993. His performance is often credited with launching the tradition of blockbuster halftime shows.
Rusty Kennedy/AP
A helicopter picks up Diana Ross after she headlined the Super Bowl halftime show in 1996.
Kevin Terrell/AP
The 2001 halftime show brought together several stars from different musical genres including Justin Timberlake, Aerosmith’s Steven Tyler, Britney Spears, and Nelly. Mary J. Blige also performed that year.
Al Messerschmidt/AP
A mural at the 2002 show honors those who died in the September 11 terrorist attacks.
Kevin Terrell/AP
The 2004 show is forever known for Janet Jackson’s ‘wardrobe malfunction’ when Timberlake revealed her right breast, resulting in widespread outrage and an FCC investigation. Consequently, the NFL opted for safer acts in the following years.Beatles great Paul McCartney performs at the Super Bowl halftime show in 2005.Rolling Stones frontman Mick Jagger dances during the 2006 halftime show.Prince played at the Super Bowl in 2007, where a soggy day in south Florida provided the perfect backdrop for his song “Purple Rain.”
Kevin Mazur/Getty Images
Bruce Springsteen rocks out with the E Street Band at the halftime show in 2009.Madonna, clad as a Roman goddess, is carried to the stage in 2012.
Kevin Mazur/WireImage/Getty Images
Katy Perry was a hit in 2015, but maybe not as much as “Left Shark,” which quickly became a meme.
Kevin Mazur/WireImage/Getty Images
Fans took part in the 2016 show at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California, showcasing a colorful display that read “Believe in Love,” during a performance featuring Bruno Mars, Beyoncé, and Coldplay.Lady Gaga is suspended in the air while performing in Houston in 2017.Shakira and Jennifer Lopez teamed up in 2020 when the game was played in south Florida.
Kevin Winter/Getty Images
Rihanna performs during the Super Bowl halftime show in 2023, opening the show by hanging high above the field on a platform. During her closing song, she rubbed her abdomen, sparking speculation that she might be expecting. After the performance, a Rihanna representative confirmed her pregnancy.
