Since 1990 here’s a list of Super Bowl halftime show performers that didn’t have any guest features during the performance…
Michael Jackson- 1993
Diana Ross-1996
U2- 2001
Paul McCartney- 2005
The Rolling Stones- 2006
Prince- 2007
Tom Petty- 2008
Bruce Springsteen- 2009
The Who- 2010
I’m not saying that all these halftime shows were great.
But….
These acts have the hits and/or charisma and have earned the leverage to do things their way.
I’m willing to bet each of these artists had to sit through a pitch from some halftime show producer about the value of having guests come out and sing a song with them. Cause if I’m doing the math right, the other 16 SuperBowl halftime shows since 1990 have had guest appearances, and usually more than one guest.
Obviously all the acts listed above have the audacity, ego and vision to know that they want to trade on what they do, that’s it. No games and gimmicks. For all the things this list of artists say yes to (and seem weird and questionable), it’s nice to know that they’re still willing to say no to something.
When you’re young you think you need to say yes to everything, to appease everyone. But saying no and saying yes are both muscles. Two different muscles. Start using both now so they’re both strong later.
