SUPER BOWL HALFTIME SHOWS Lyidia Dinwiddie, Jonathan Booker, Reid Thompson
The Significance of Super Bowl Halftime Shows Outline ● ● ● ● ● ● ●
Abstract (LD) Twitter Debate I (LD) Twitter Debate II (LD) Super Bowl XXIV (LD) Super Bowl XXXVI (JB) Super Bowl XLIV (RT) Works Cited (LD)
Abstract Historically, Super Bowl halftime shows have provided performers with the means to reach large audiences with their music and messages. They are able to benefit from the influence the NFL has on supporters . Initially, the Super Bowl featured local artists, usually from urban communities, within genres such as blue, r&b, soul and jazz; since its founding the Super Bowl has become more diverse performance wise. Today there are two debates that must be addressed when discussing the Super Bowl and the NFL in general, these include: the debate regarding “taking a knee” and the debate about if local talent. It is common knowledge that Colin Kaepernick, an NFL quarterback, began a silent protest in support of civil rights. His efforts to kneel during the national anthem have proven to be quite controversial and resulted in him being released from his NFL contract making him a free agent. Many believe that he has the right to expression, whereas others view his actions as disrespectful towards America itself. Another issue that arose is the debate over whether or not halftime shows should feature local talent, this debate began when Super Bowl LIII was announced. In February of 2019 the games will be hosted in Atlanta, Georgia at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium, but they will not feature artists from Atlanta. This goes against the initial tradition that ensured local talent be allowed to perform. Within this presentation, three Super Bowl halftime shows will examined along with their performers. Further background information on the games and performers will be provided including their genres of music, styles, significance, etc. Also, commentary on both of the debates will be included via social media posts (i.e. Twitter).
Colin Kaepernick x “Taking a knee”
Local Artists x Super Bowl LIII
Super Bowl XXIV (24) Halftime Performers ● ● ●
Doug Kershaw (Country) Irma Thomas (R&B) Pete Fountain (Jazz)
“Salute to New Orleans” & 40th Anniversary of Peanuts ● ● ● ●
January 28, 1990 New Orleans, LA San Francisco 49ers vs. Denver Broncos Score: 55 - 10, 49ers won
Super Bowl XXIV (1990)- Doug K., Pete F. & Irma T. All of the halftime performers at Super Bowl XXIV were Louisiana natives which began the tradition of sourcing local talent along with having a “theme” for the show. The songs performed where “Diggy Diggy Lo” by Doug Kershaw, “Shall We Gather at the River” by Irma Thomas and “When the Saints Go Marching In” by Pete Fountain. There were three local university marching bands that accompanied the headlining performers as well, the universities included: Southern University, University of Louisiana at Lafayette and Nicholls State University. Doug Kershaw, born Douglas James "Doug" Kershaw, is known as “The Ragin’ Cajun” because of his music style. He was born January 24, 1936 in Tiel Ridge, Louisiana. He is an American fiddle player, guitarist and singer. The genre he identifies with is Country and his styles include Cajun, Folk and Traditional Country. Within his Cajun style songs he sings in both Cajun French and English, he relies on Country ballads, and his performances usually include his high-energy Cajun two-steps. His biggest hits include his autobiographical song “Louisiana Man” and “Diggy Diggy Lo” which he wrote during his military enlistment in 1958. Although “Louisiana Man” was his more popular song due to it being the first song broadcasted from the Moon to Earth by the Apollo astronauts, he performed his other hit, “Diggy Diggy Lo,” at the Super Bowl.
Super Bowl XXIV (1990) Con’t Irma Thomas, born Irma Lee, is referred to as “The Soul Queen of New Orleans” because of her soulful voice. She was born February 18, 1941 in Ponchatoula, Louisiana. She is an America singer and the genres she identifies with are R&B (Rhythm and Blues) and Soul. Her styles include New Orleans R&B, New Orleans Soul and Contemporary Gospel. During her halftime performance she sang “Shall We Gather at the River” which is a Gospel hymn originally written by Robert Lowry in 1864. Pete Fountain, born Pierre Dewey LaFontaine, Jr., was an American clarinetist who identified with the Jazz genre. He was born July 3, 1930 in New Orleans, Louisiana and died on August 6, 2016. During his performance he played “When the Saints Go Marching In” which was previously recorded by Louis Armstrong in 1939. This specific song is significant because New Orleans residents adopted it as their unofficial anthem; Fountain himself is a jazz musician born within the city referred to as the “birthplace of Jazz.” By him playing this song that was initially a Protest hymn in the 19th century then re-recorded by a New Orleans icon, he paid homage to his hometown and its residents. His performance then segued into the tribute for the Peanuts when he switched to playing “Happy Birthday.”
Super Bowl XXXVI (36) Halftime Show Performer ●
U2 (Rock)
Background Information ● ● ● ●
February 3, 2002 ○ Post-9/11 New Orleans, LA New England Patriots vs. St.Louis Rams Score: 20 - 17, Patriots won
Super Bowl XXXVI (2002)- U2 This historic performance took place on February 3, 2002 at The Louisiana Superdome in front of 72,000 fans in attendance and over 86 million watching on television. U2 is a four person ensemble featuring lead singer Bono, guitarist The Edge, bass guitarist Adam Clayton and drummer Larry Mullen. The genre of music they play is considered to be rock or alternative rock. Just four months after the terrorist attacks of 9/11, U2 performed “Where the Streets have no Name� in front of a scrolling list of those who perished in the attack. Bono removed his jacket at the end of the performance to reveal an American flag shirt.
Super Bowl XLIV (44) Halftime Show Performer ●
The Who (Rock)
Background Information ● ● ● ●
February 7, 2010 Miami Gardens, FL New Orleans Saints vs. Indianapolis Colts Score: 31 - 17, Saints won
Super Bowl XLIV (2010)- The Who Lengthy 12 Minute Halftime Show True Classic Rock Sound, Loud & Hard to Understand in Large Open Stadium Daltry & Townshend Were Ages 64 & 65 During This Performance Recognized for the use of Fire Throughout Performance Instrumentals Were Extremely Powerful & Loud, Electric Guitar Biggest Sound The Who’s Largest Scale “Farewell” Performance
Works Cited Ankeny, Jason. “Irma Thomas | Biography & History.” AllMusic, www.allmusic.com/artist/irma-thomas-mn0000772526/biography. “Doug Kershaw.” Discogs, www.discogs.com/artist/429808-Doug-Kershaw. “Doug Kershaw Bio.” The National Fiddler Hall of Fame, www.nationalfiddlerhalloffame.org/HallOfFame/dougkershawbio.html. Erlewine, Stephen. “The Who | Biography & History.” AllMusic, www.allmusic.com/artist/the-who-mn0000577627/biography. Erlewine, Stephen. “U2 | Biography & History.” AllMusic, www.allmusic.com/artist/u2-mn0000219203/biography. Harris, Craig. “Doug Kershaw | Biography & History.” AllMusic, www.allmusic.com/artist/doug-kershaw-mn0000163577/biography. “History and Anthology.” NFL, www.nfl.com/super-bowl/history/2002. “History and Anthology.” NFL, www.nfl.com/super-bowl/history/2010. Kootnikoff, David. U2: a Musical Biography. Greenwood Press, 2010. “Pete Fountain.” Discogs, www.discogs.com/artist/267653-Pete-Fountain. Peterson, Nate. “List of Every Super Bowl Halftime Performer: Timberlake, Lady Gaga, Prince and More.” CBSSports.com, CBS, 4 Feb. 2018, www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/list-of-every-super-bowl-halftime-performer-timberlake-lady-gaga-prince-and-more/.
Works Cited Con’t “Shall We Gather at the River?” Hymnary, hymnary.org/text/shall_we_gather_at_the_river. “Super Bowl XXIV Halftime Show.” YouTube, uploaded by Carlos Cousin, 11 March 2015, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X4zzu4Jrl4o “Super Bowl XXIV.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 31 Aug. 2018, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Super_Bowl_XXIV. “The Rich History of ‘When the Saints Go Marching In.’” CBS News, CBS Interactive, 2 Feb. 2013, www.cbsnews.com/news/the-rich-history-of-when-the-saints-go-marching-in/. “The WHO SuperBowl XLIV Half-Time Show “COMPLETE” (TRUE HD) --- 02-07-10-1.” YouTube, uploaded by wgfa, 26 January 2011, https://youtu.be/ScA2FqJn9ic “U2’s “Beautiful Day” & Super Bowl XXXVI Halftime Show Helps Heal America After 9/11। NFL.” YouTube, uploaded by NFL Network, 3 December 2017, https://youtu.be/ZPHGOMXQyDQ Wilbon, Michael. “The Biggest Easy as 49ers Roll, 55-10.” The Washington Post, WP Company, 29 Jan. 1990, www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/sports/nfl/longterm/superbowl/stories/sb24.htm?noredirect=on.