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November 27, 2009

The Who to perform at the Super Bowl

Posted: 04:08 PM ET

Classic rock group The Who will perform at the Super Bowl XLIV halftime show at Dolphins Stadium in Miami on Feb. 7, the NFL announced on Thanksgiving.

Bruce Springsteen and the E Street band performed at last year's Super Bowl. Past performers have included Paul McCartney, U2, Prince and the Rolling Stones.

The Who famously took the stage at Woodstock and has sold over 100 million records worldwide. They were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1990.

The band's remaining members, Pete Townshend and Roger Daltrey, are a conservative choice for the NFL which has been careful with its halftime choices since the famous wardrobe malfunction between Justin Timberlake and Janet Jackson during the 2004 Super Bowl.

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A. Smith, Oregon   November 27th, 2009 4:21 pm ET

Um, talking about a walk down memory lane!

I hope Pete Townshend and Roger Daltrey at least have some plastic surgery done before the Superbowl!

Larry   November 27th, 2009 4:24 pm ET

Please check the headline....the "Guess Who" is a different group than the "Who."

Me   November 27th, 2009 4:31 pm ET

Bad choice in headline considering there is a well known 70's classic rock band named "The Guess Who". This headline is miss leading.
Anyway, I love The Who but wil likely not care if I see the half time show due to the fact that the will likely play the "CSI" theme songs. Great songs but it's kinda like Stairway To Heaven and Free Bird... they are so iconic and overplayed that I really don't care to hear them for the millionth time. Why not play Squeezebox, Behind Blue Eyes, 5'15 or The Real Me? Hell, play Love Ain't For Keeping and I will gladly eat these words.

Brad   November 27th, 2009 4:34 pm ET

The title of the news item read "Guess Who is performing at the Super Bowl." Here I got all excited thinking that the classic Canadian rockers, "The Guess Who" (all of whom are still living) would be performing at the Super Bowl. Turns out is the empty shell that once was The Who. Oh well.

Karl   November 27th, 2009 4:34 pm ET

Thank God it's not Adam Lambert!!!!!!!!!

Jon   November 27th, 2009 4:39 pm ET

Really, "Guess Who" ("No Sugar Tonight" "American Woman" etc) and "The Who" ("Tommy" "Who Are You" etc) are two rather different bands.

Mike   November 27th, 2009 4:44 pm ET

Fix your headline. It's "The Who" who are playing the Superbowl, not the "Guess Who"!

Norm   November 27th, 2009 4:52 pm ET

It seems likely that whoever wrote the headline is too young to realize that there was another rock group known as The Guess Who.

Peace out   November 27th, 2009 5:10 pm ET

Man, that's not right. I read the title, thought the group The Guess Who were the headliners, and got all happy...then I read the story and see it's only The Who. *sigh*

How about Rare Earth? Three Dog Night? (As long as we're dragging up old acts)...or, put Adam Lambert on and watch the phones ring off the hook, LOL! That should erase Janet's wardrobe malfunction but good!

Stephen - NYC   November 27th, 2009 5:12 pm ET

Do we know who is the corporate john for the show? Some people call them sponsors. Anyway, if it is just The Who performing, then I'll watch. If there's an attachment to the half-time show, then I'll turn off the tv and put in one of my Who CDs.
I enjoy the humorous commercials (and only for that game), but all the information that has to have a 'sponsor' just so we can find out about the offensive player of the game or mvp or defensive player of the game or any of the other stupid commercial titles given just so some company can get their name out there is ridiculous. I go out of my way to not patronize any of the corporate johns. That includes stadium johns, college bowl game johns, golf johns, racing car johns, cell phone johns, and any of the 'official' johns (those are where some company paid to be the official widget of the team).

Sixie   November 27th, 2009 6:03 pm ET

The Who along with the Beatles are my favs. Of course, The WHO is not going to be a happening for everyone. Give them a chance. Pete and Roger are not spring chickens anymore, but they still rock. I saw The Who four times in 2006-2007 and Roger in J'Ville, FL in October (will again in FT.Lauderdale on Sunday Night) and this is Classic Rock and Roll at it's best.
Pinball Wizard, Who Are You, Won't Get fooled Again will be robust even for a Super Bowl. Remember The Concert for New York? This Group ruled that show and they will be a happening in Miami. Thanks. Todd

Matt   November 27th, 2009 6:59 pm ET

Karl, you took the words right out of my mouth!

Jack Goff   November 27th, 2009 7:08 pm ET

If theres to be a British act performing at half-time it should be.. .Geraldine Mcqueen! Last years winner of Britians Got The Pop factor is amazing, fantastic and very talented. USA will love her!!!!

deborah betty fitzgerald   November 27th, 2009 8:05 pm ET

Considering who (no pun intended) will be watching the half-time show this is perfect. Can not wait to watch (and please, no plastic surgery).

Chantal   November 27th, 2009 8:08 pm ET

That is a really good choice.. I saw them in concert a year ago and they are amazing live even if they are in their 60's.!!!!!!

Mike   November 27th, 2009 9:34 pm ET

I saw them twice in recent years. They still put on an excellent show. Can't wait!

shay   November 28th, 2009 1:40 am ET

Are they going to be via sattelite from their retirement home? or have their wheelchairs bedazzled for the special event? How are they going to be able to sing and breath the air from the oxygen tank and sing into the mic at the same time? I bet bigger bets will be set against one of them having a heart attack or falling off the stage then the score on the game.

Dianne   November 28th, 2009 1:55 am ET

As the 1993 Superbowl performance began, Michael Jackson was catapulted onto the stage as fireworks went off behind him. As he landed on the canvas, he maintained a motionless "clenched fist, standing statue stance", dressed in a gold and black military outfit and sunglasses; he remained completely motionless for several minutes while the crowd cheered. He then slowly removed his sunglasses, threw them away and began to sing and dance. His routine included four songs: "Jam", "Billie Jean", "Black or White" and "Heal the World". It was the first Super Bowl where the audience figures increased during the half-time show, and was viewed by 135 million Americans alone. This was the biggest superbowl performance of all time and the greatest. Michael Jackson was the only performer in superbowl history to not have an opening act.

Kelly   November 28th, 2009 1:56 am ET

No one can compare to Michael Jackson's performance ever. It truly was the greatest superbowl performance of all time.

Jessica   November 28th, 2009 4:03 am ET

The past couple of Super Bowl Half Time Shows have been so lame. Ew remember when Tom Petty and The Heart Breakers played? That was so sad....it was so bad. They need to do half time shows that span generations like they did when they had the Aerosmith, Run DMC, Britney Spears, Nelly Show. That was cool.

Saly   November 28th, 2009 7:55 am ET

Hey Me – Lynyrd Skynyrd did Free Bird.

phillippe spectator   November 28th, 2009 9:14 am ET

Wow. Why not Green Day?

Stephen - NYC   November 28th, 2009 9:38 am ET

Well, it looks like there is a sponsor to the half-time show. It's a tire company. I am not going to give their name (hey, they didn't pay me to shill for them, but they did pay Fox News since their story mentions the corporate john).
So, I will turn off the tv and play my CDs to hear their music. And when the shilling is over, I'll turn the game back on.

lou   November 28th, 2009 10:41 am ET

You would think that since its Miami, they would have brought in that Adam guy for the home crowd. Who cares what the half time entertainment is? Its about the Super Bowl. The rest is just piffle.

Jamie   November 28th, 2009 1:22 pm ET

They are a great band still. They do sing to a certain demographic that I don't think the Superbowl audience match...

Someone else   November 28th, 2009 5:05 pm ET

The Who is not who they used to be. They won't pull great ratings, and they won't sound good. If the Super Bowl halftime is going to be something really special, it needs to be retooled completely.

James - NYC   November 28th, 2009 8:04 pm ET

Stephen NYC – So you're against a sponsor for the halftime show? *ANY* sponsor? I'm not quite sure you understand how FREE television works, They don't charge the public a dime for their 24/7 programming, and they get money from corporate sponsors. it's really that simple. HBO doesn't get a dime from sponsors, so if you want to watch their programming, you must pay a fee every month. It's that simple.

Sheesh! Loosen up a little! It's not like it's an alcohol, tobacco or erectile dysfunction company is hosting it. It's a freaking tire company! And your horror at the fact that it has a sponsor actually encouraged me look it up! It's BRIDGESTONE AMERICAS.

So good for you Stevey! You go show those "fat cats" who's the boss! When The Who come on and perform a live set, you go shut off the tv, put on a CD and then turn the game back on. You'll really show them! Remember – make sure you don't see any ads, otherwise they win!

mike O   November 29th, 2009 1:07 am ET

it was around 1967 when the Who wailed
"hope I die before I get old" My Generation...my generation bay-bee

Denisa   November 29th, 2009 1:54 am ET

NO! They will not, why do they keep getting these old acts to perform during half time. Haven't we paid enough for the JJ and JT mistake? I mean how much can we take!!!! First the Diana Ross then the Rolling Stones now this...Enough already with the geriatric crew!

Sal   November 29th, 2009 8:54 am ET

People the Superbowl is on CBS this year, the same network that uses 3 songs by The Who on its popular CSI franchise. That would appear to be the driver for them at the Superbowl is the already existing relationship with The Who and the fact that the network has already paid for use of at least 3 songs they are going to play. You may like The Who from their music of the past but they are in no way relevant to the music world in 2009. The NFL has played the halftime show so safe that it isn't relevant anymore either.

Meh82   November 29th, 2009 2:27 pm ET

The Who?

Vicki   November 29th, 2009 2:43 pm ET

Groovy MAN!
This year is the 40th Anniversary of TOMMY.
And WOODSTOCK.
Last Christmas, The Who got in The Kennedy Center Award.
And my school did TOMMY a few years ago.
Hope Peter and Roger have a good time there in Florida.

Neo   November 29th, 2009 3:09 pm ET

The WHO? No Thanks. Another SuperBowl halftime failure.

Chris   November 29th, 2009 4:50 pm ET

Look, I am tired of the trips down memory lane. How old are the people making these decisions, 60 or 70? I don't have an issue with the elderly, but there is a WHOLE NEW GENERATION out there creating very good music, and these nimrods are still plugging the seventies,
Here is my suggestion: Set. Down. The. Eight. Tracks....and step a way from the superbowl...
Here are some suggestions for NEW ARTISTS.
Taylor swift
Carrie Underwood or Brad Paisley
Jay z
Greenday
Three doors Down
Alicia Keys
Good lord, there are too many to mention, pull your heads out of your gold lame suits people. Join us here in 2009. We have computers and cell phones now.

Jacob   November 29th, 2009 10:34 pm ET

No halftime show will ever come close to the one Prince put on a few years ago. It was without question the best live performance I've ever seen on TV.

Mitch   November 29th, 2009 10:58 pm ET

To Chris is said he was tired of trips down memory lane.....he/she suggested Taylor Swift? Jay Z? GARBAGE. Green Day, ok, but there isn't a whole lot out there to choose from today. Maybe some good 90s artists but forget the 00s. GARBAGE.

ozzy   November 29th, 2009 11:13 pm ET

I guess Susan Boyle was too busy.

BJ   November 29th, 2009 11:17 pm ET

I wonder if A. Smith from Oregon has looked in the mirror lately. If I look lile Roger Daltrey at 65, I won't be complaining.

As a Brit, it's not the be all and end all to tighten up loose skin once you turn 40, so I'm quite sure that Mr D won't go near the knife.

I would rather listen to The Who than to some of todays 'stars' that pass off their contributions as music. Thank goodness for the oldies!

JW   November 30th, 2009 12:01 am ET

WHO are they, and WHO besides people older than 50 actually cares about them?!?!

Stephen Breitrich   November 30th, 2009 8:40 am ET

I saw them in L.A. on the fairwell tour in the late 70's or early 80's WOW! I saw them again with my 11 year old son just 2 years ago in Fulda, Germany,and they rocked!! They still got it!

Eric   November 30th, 2009 9:57 am ET

I have to agree with Chris. They need to start letting newer bands hammer the ratings for a decent Halftime show. Green Day, with their huge fan base would be a prefect choice (Taylor Swift hasnt put her time in yet). maybe 10-15 years ago when at least Entwistle was still alive, but to have Daltry & Townsend (come on guys, lets call it what it is already) try to pull ratings now? Not only is it not going to happen, but I'm pretty sure most will flip channels durring the performance. This is NOT a dig against the band at all, its reality.

Stan   November 30th, 2009 9:57 am ET

Get a birthday clown/magician. Way more hip to the target demo.

T   November 30th, 2009 10:32 am ET

Well, I like "The WHO".

Even if most everyone else doesn't.... And I like to agree a little with
BJ from Nov. 29th, Thank goodness for the oldies but.... maybe if they got two acts – one classic band and one modern to appeal to the oldsters and the youngsters to perform....to appeal and satisfy to both generations.

Hayley   December 1st, 2009 11:31 am ET

I think Prince should play again he was my favorite, The Who is boring....=P

Carter   December 9th, 2009 6:10 pm ET

alright I'm 14 and i love the who. Yes, both Keith Moon and John Entwistle are dead and the other w are in their 60's. Who cares? They are still great, i saw them last year and they were just amazing. To Hayley, how are they boring. they revolutionized the rock performance and basically were some of the first to make it exciting instead of just standing there playing songs. I agree w/ T from Nov. 30 that it would be cool if they got some modern act to play too, maybe someone like The White Stripes or Green Day. There are many people who still like bands from the 60's, not everyone loves the garbage that people like Miley Cirus, The Jonas Brothers, Jay Z, etc. put out.

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