The Weeknd unwraps a few hints on his Super Bowl halftime show plans
The evolution of the Super Bowl halftime show
Beyonce performs during the Super Bowl halftime show in 2013.
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The evolution of the Super Bowl halftime show
The first Super Bowl was held at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in 1967. The halftime entertainment included trumpeter Al Hirt, a local high school drill team and the marching bands of Grambling State University and the University of Arizona. But the most memorable performers might have been the Bell Rocket Air Men flying around in jet packs.
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The evolution of the Super Bowl halftime show
The New Christy Minstrels, a folk and pop group, were one of the performers during the Super Bowl halftime show in 1970. The game was held at Tulane Stadium in New Orleans, so the show’s theme was tribute to Mardi Gras.
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The evolution of the Super Bowl halftime show
Hirt plays the trumpet while Ella Fitzgerald sings at the Super Bowl in 1972. The show that year paid tribute to jazz legend Louis Armstrong, who died the year before.
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The evolution of the Super Bowl halftime show
The halftime show in 1977 was produced by Disney, and the theme was “It’s a Small World.”
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The evolution of the Super Bowl halftime show
A Mardi Gras-themed float is part of the show in 1981, which took place inside the Louisiana Superdome.
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The evolution of the Super Bowl halftime show
The crowd contributes a colorful background to the Super Bowl halftime show in 1983, which was held at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California.
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The evolution of the Super Bowl halftime show
The NFL switched things up in 1991, featuring popular boy band New Kids on the Block for the Super Bowl’s 25th anniversary. But TV audiences didn’t actually see the show until after the game because ABC showed a Gulf War news report instead.
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The evolution of the Super Bowl halftime show
The “King of Pop,” Michael Jackson, performed several of his hit songs in 1993. His performance is often credited with launching the tradition of blockbuster halftime shows.
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The evolution of the Super Bowl halftime show
A helicopter picks up Diana Ross after she headlined the Super Bowl halftime show in 1996.
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The evolution of the Super Bowl halftime show
The 2001 halftime show brought together several stars from different musical genres. From left are Justin Timberlake, Aerosmith frontman Steven Tyler, Britney Spears and Nelly. Mary J. Blige also performed that year.
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The evolution of the Super Bowl halftime show
A mural at the 2002 show honors those who died in the September 11 terrorist attacks.
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The evolution of the Super Bowl halftime show
The 2004 show will forever be known for Janet Jackson’s “wardrobe malfunction.” Timberlake tore off a part of her clothing at the end of a song, revealing her right breast, and many people watching at home were outraged. The Federal Communications Commission ordered an investigation, and the NFL spent the next few years going with safer acts.
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The evolution of the Super Bowl halftime show
Beatles great Paul McCartney performs at the Super Bowl halftime show in 2005.
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The evolution of the Super Bowl halftime show
Rolling Stones frontman Mick Jagger dances during the 2006 halftime show.
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The evolution of the Super Bowl halftime show
Prince played at the Super Bowl in 2007, and a soggy day in south Florida provided the perfect backdrop for his song “Purple Rain.”
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The evolution of the Super Bowl halftime show
Bruce Springsteen rocks out with the E Street Band at the halftime show in 2009.
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The evolution of the Super Bowl halftime show
Madonna, clad as a Roman goddess, is carried to the stage in 2012.
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The evolution of the Super Bowl halftime show
Katy Perry was a hit in 2015, but maybe not as much as “Left Shark,” which quickly became a meme.
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The evolution of the Super Bowl halftime show
Fans take part in the 2016 show at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California. The colorful display reads “Believe in Love” during a performance that combined Bruno Mars, Beyonce and Coldplay.
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The evolution of the Super Bowl halftime show
Lady Gaga is suspended in the air while performing in Houston in 2017.
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The evolution of the Super Bowl halftime show
Shakira and Jennifer Lopez teamed up for the most recent Super Bowl, which was played in south Florida last year.
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