The Super Bowl half-time performance has become an institution throughout the years, but when it started it was simply to entertain the attendees at the game while the players rested.
Starting off back in 1967 with state university marching bands, the Half Time show has increasingly become a spectacle of technology and talent.
The 80s saw the show become a larger production, with kaleidoscope colours, audience participation and event 3D effects being brought in. The 1988 performance even included 88 grand pianos wheeled into the stadium.
Since the mid-90s, the Half Time show has become a mainstay of popular talent, from Diana Ross, Prince and Madonna to Justin Timberlake and Rihanna.
If you’re wondering who has walked these hallowed halls in the past, you can find the full list here.
The History Of Every Super Bowl Half Time Performance Throughout The Years
- 2024: Usher
- 2023: Rihanna
- 2022: Eminem, Dr. Dre. Snoop Dogg, Kendrick Lamar and Mary J. Blige
- 2021: The Weeknd
- 2020: Shakira, Jennifer Lopez, Bad Bunny, J Balvin, Emme Muniz
- 2019: Maroon 5, Travis Scott, Big Boi
- 2018: Justin Timberlake, The Tennessee Kids
- 2017: Lady Gaga
- 2016: Coldplay, Beyonce, Bruno Mars
- 2015: Katy Perry, Lenny Kravitz and Missy Elliott
- 2014: Bruno Mars, Red Hot Chili Peppers
- 2013: Beyonce
- 2012: Madonna
- 2011: The Black Eyed Peas, Usher, Slash
- 2010: The Who
- 2009: Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band
- 2008: Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers
- 2007: Prince and the Florida A&M marching band
- 2006: The Rolling Stones
- 2005: Paul McCartney
- 2004: Janet Jackson, Kid Rock, P. Diddy, Nelly and Justin Timberlake
- 2003: Shania Twain, No Doubt and Sting
- 2002: U2
- 2001: “The Kings of Rock and Pop” by Aerosmith, ‘N’Sync, Britney Spears, Mary J. Blige and Nelly
- 2000: “A Tapestry of Nations” by Phil Collins, Christina Aguilera, Enrique Iglesias, Toni Braxton and large choir
- 1999: “Celebration of Soul, Salsa and Swing” by Stevie Wonder, Gloria Estefan, Big Bad Voodoo Daddy and Savion Glover
- 1998: “A Tribute to Motown’s 40th Anniversary” by Boyz II Men, Smokey Robinson, Queen Latifah, Martha Reeves and The Temptations
- 1997: “Blues Brothers” by featuring Dan Akroyd, John Goodman, James Belushi, James Brown and ZZ Top
- 1996: Diana Ross celebrating 30 years of the Super Bowl
- 1995: “Indiana Jones and the Temple of the Forbidden Eye” by Tony Bennett, Patti LaBelle, Arturo Sandoval, the Miami Sound Machine. Stunts include fire and skydivers
- 1994: “Rockin’ Country Sunday” by Clint Black, Tanya Tucker, Travis Tritt, Wynonna & Naomi Judd
- 1993: “Heal the World” by Michael Jackson and 3,500 local children
- 1992: “Winter Magic”
- 1991: “A Small World Salute to 25 Years of the Super Bowl” by New Kids on the Block
- 1990: “Salute to New Orleans”. The 40th Anniversary of Peanuts’ characters, with trumpeter Pete Fountain, Doug Kershaw & Irma Thomas
- 1989: “Be Bop Bamboozled” with 3-D effects
- 1988: “Something Grand” with 88 grand pianos, the Rockettes and Chubby Checker
- 1987: “Salute to Hollywood’s 100th Anniversary”
- 1986: “Beat of the Future”
- 1985: “A World of Children’s Dreams”
- 1984: “Super Bowl XVIII’s Salute to the Superstars of the Silver Screen”
- 1983: “KaleidoSUPERscope”, a colourful abstract display
- 1982: “A Salute to the 60s and Motown”
- 1981: “A Mardi Gras Festival”
- 1980: “A Salute to the Big Band Era” by Up with People
- 1979: “Super Bowl XIII Carnival” by Ken Hamilton and various Caribbean bands
- 1978: “From Paris to the Paris of America” by Tyler Apache Belles, Pete Fountain and Al Hirt
- 1977: “It’s a Small World” including crowd participation
- 1976: Tribute to 200 years since the Declaration of Independence
- 1975: “Tribute to Duke Ellington” by Mercer Ellington and Grambling State band
- 1974: “A Musical America” by University of Texas band
- 1973: “Happiness Is” by University of Michigan marching band and Woody Herman
- 1972: “Salute to Louis Armstrong” by Ella Fitzgerald, Carol Channing, Al Hirt and U.S. Marine Corps Drill Team
- 1971: Florida A&M band
- 1970: Carol Channing
- 1969: Florida A&M University band
- 1968: Grambling State band
1967: University of Arizona and Grambling State marching bands