Journey is/was (depending on when you’re reading this) playing the Concert for Legends at the NFL Hall of Fame induction weekend. In an interview with Ultimate Classic Rock, Journey’s Jonathan Cain talked about hoping the NFL would realize that the band has never played the Super Bowl Halftime show, and maybe they should offer them the slot. After all they are approaching their 50th anniversary of the band. That got me to thinking who I would really like to see do this year’s Halftime show that has never done it before.
Foo Fighters
(Photo by Arturo Holmes/Getty Images for The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame)
These guys should have already had their chance especially since things are a bit different now with the passing of drummer Taylor Hawkins. I’m not sure it can be done, especially because of how viciously he plays the drums, but could Dave Grohl front the band from behind the drum kit? If it is possible Dave can probably do it. Imagine him going bonkers while somehow screaming his head off for 20 minutes. It helps the bands case that Dave Grohl is the most sought after rocker to work with at the moment and that they have so many radio friendly songs for people who aren’t hardcore Foos fans.
Metallica
(Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images)
What better way to capitalize on the popularity of the show Stranger Things and the rebirth of Master of Puppets. 1 week after the Stranger Things season finale the song had 17.5 million downloads. Due to its newfound popularity Master of Puppets entered the Billboard Hot 100 for the 1st time… 36 years after its release. If the NFL announced Metallica was going to play the Super Bowl halftime show, to quote Dustin, “Dude, most metal ever!”
Billy Joel
(Photo by Brad Barket/Getty Images)
No need to write much here. A guy who can sell out Madison Square Garden 86 times should be on the short list for a Super Bowl halftime performance. That’s 20,789 seats filled each time he plays MSG. 86 times! He’s had just under 2 million people go see his show over the last 9 years.
Garth Brooks
(Photo by John Medina/Getty Images)
A powerhouse in concert. A country artist that puts on a rock show. I mentioned the number of tickets Billy Joel has sold for his 86 show (and counting) MSG residency. During Brooks’ world tour in 2017 he sold 5 million tickets in 60 shows. He’s already had a television special reach 25-30 million viewers so why not add 82.3 million more for what would be an awesome halftime show.
AC/DC
(Photo by Brendon Thorne/Getty Images)
AC/DC – There have been some great entrances, openings and moments to past halftime shows. When Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers played the Super Bowl the stage was lit and moved so it looked like the arrow was piercing the heart to create the Heartbreakers logo. Katie Perry entered on some 40-foot-tall lion. Lady Gaga jumping from the top of the stadium, Bruce power sliding so hard that he slid right into the camera crotch first and of course that time Justin Timberlake pulled out Janet Jackson’s nipple. Imagine seeing Brian Johnson sprint 40 yards, jump on the long rope hanging from the big bell to kick off Hells Bells, then prepare yourself for a whole new push from the FCC once Angus starts stripping on stage.
