Super Bowl: All Shows, Worst to Best, According to Rolling Stone USA

A Rolling Stone US published a list of the best concerts held during the super bowlthe final match of the American football league, the nfl. All performances performed from 1967, the year in which the tradition began, until 2023 were considered.

It is worth remembering that the shows only gained the character of a great show, with renowned artists, from the 1990s. Until then, performances were usually performed by marching bands. In 1991, the ratio changed with the hiring of New Kids on the Block as a way to honor the 25th anniversary of the Super Bowl. Two years later, Michael Jackson made a historic presentation that put the event on another level in terms of audience and public interest outside the sport.

The text signed by the journalist Rob Sheffield to the Rolling Stone US put the show of Prince, in 2007, as the best of all time. In the commentary accompanying the choice, Sheffield states:

“Everyone knew that Prince would make this an ‘oddity’ festival for posterity. But it exceeded all expectations, amid a storm in Miami. A Foo Fighters cover (‘Best of You’)? ‘We Will Rock You’ (Queen) on ‘Let’s Go Crazy’? ‘All Along the Watchtower’ (Bob Dylan, aka the Jimi Hendrix version) An epic, guitar hero jam on ‘Purple Rain’? This sultry bastard kept on delivering surprises – a historic explosion of rock and roll swagger. This performance became much more famous in the years after his tragic death in 2016. While he was alive, he fought to stop anyone from posting it online so you wouldn’t even find it on YouTube. But since his death, it has taken its place as a legendary Prince moment. Totally perfect. Totally cool. Totally Prince.”

The performance of U2in 2002, came in second and was described as “one of the best rock and roll moments on live TV of all time”. Beyonce, in 2013, secured the third position. Collaborations closed the top 5: in fourth, in the year 2022, the reunion of rappers Dr. dre, Snoop Dogg, Eminem, Mary J. Blige, 50 Cent It is Kendrick Lamar; fifth, the “mixed salad” with aerosmith, Britney Spears, ‘nSync, nelly It is Mary J. Bligein the year 2001.

The show performed recently by Rihanna won eighth place. Other highlights of recent years include Shakira It is Jennifer Lopez in sixth, Lady Gaga in tenth and Katy Perry with missy elliott in twelfth. The aforementioned performance of Michael Jacksonwhich redefined the standards of the event, was remembered in fourteenth position.

the negative highlights

As all shows were ranked, negative highlights were mentioned to justify the order. The worst show in Super Bowl history for the Rolling Stone US it was the black Eyed Peasin 2011. In the text, Rob Sheffield declares:

“Worse. Just the worst. Watching it at the time, you instantly knew you were witnessing something magical and special – like seeing a unicorn cough up blood. The Black Eyed Peas had light-up robot suits. Cool! Kinda cool! They played their version of ‘I’ve Had the Time of My Life’. Not so cool! Usher looked like he wanted to hide. Then the tragic words: ‘Ladies and gentlemen… the one and only… Slash’. Oh Slash, poor Slash – a duet with Fergie on ‘Sweet Child o’ Mine’. How did this happen? This was the same Super Bowl where Christina Aguilera gave her memorable rendition of the National Anthem, so yes, that was a tough day for music. For Steelers fans too.”

The first performance in the new format, performed by New Kids on the Block, was also among the worst. Sheffield notes that “this was where people started to learn that they could do a real halftime show, but learning slowly”. Among the most recent, the maroon 5 was also in the most bitter part of the ranking. The text says:

“No one wanted to go anywhere near the Super Bowl in 2019, amid all the outrage over Colin Kaepernick being blacklisted by the NFL. Cardi B and Rihanna declined. The best the NFL could do was Adam Levine, who never looked less of a rock star than when he yelled, ‘Can I play guitar for you now?’ It was horrible.”

Super Bowl Shows, Worst to Best

See below for the complete list published by Rolling Stone US and signed by Rob Sheffield.

35. The Black Eyed Peas (2011)
36. Everything from 1967 to 1989
37. New Kids on the Block (1991)
38. Phil Collins, Christina Aguilera, Enrique Iglesias, Toni Braxton and Tina Turner (2000)
39. Gloria Estefan and Olympic ice skaters (1992)
40. Patti LaBelle, Tony Bennett, Teddy Pendergrass and Miami Sound Machine (1995)
41. Pete Fountain, Irma Thomas, Doug Kershaw and Snoopy (1990)
42. The Blues Brothers (1997)
43. Maroon 5 (2019)
44. The Who (2010)
45. Tanya Tucker, Clint Black, Travis Tritt and The Judds (1994)
46. Janet Jackson, Justin Timberlake, P. Diddy, Kid Rock, Jessica Simpson and Nelly (2004)
47. Boyz II Men (1998)
48. Justin Timberlake (2018)
49. Stevie Wonder and Gloria Estefan (1999)
50. Shania Twain, Sting and No Doubt (2003)
51. The Weeknd (2021)
52. Bruno Mars and the Red Hot Chili Peppers (2014)
53. Diana Ross (1996)
54. Coldplay, Beyonce and Bruno Mars (2016)
55. Tom Petty (2008)
56. Michael Jackson (1993)
57. Paul McCartney (2005)
58. Katy Perry and Missy Elliott (2015)
59. The Rolling Stones (2006)
60. Lady Gaga (2017)
61. Madonna (2012)
62. Rihanna (2023)
63. Bruce Springsteen & the E Street Band (2009)
64. Shakira and Jennifer Lopez (2020)
65. Aerosmith, Britney Spears, ‘NSync, Nelly and Mary J. Blige (2001)
66. Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, Eminem, Mary J. Blige, 50 Cent and Kendrick Lamar (2022)
67. Beyonce (2013)
68. U2 (2002)
69. Prince (2007)