Veteran rockers Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers have been chosen as the musical act for the Super Bowl game. The game will be played in Glendale, AZ on February 3 and will air on FOX.
Wow, what a choice. I think that the halftime show is also going to be sponsored by Brylcream. They must be trying to get the boomer - or even the post-boomer - audience. At this rate, in the coming years we'll also see performances by Bob Seger and Jackson Browne. And before anyone thinks I want to see a rap star or Avril Lavigne rock the halftime show, there's nothing wrong with having older rock bands headline the show - it's just that Tom Petty isn't Paul McCartney or Prince, and I can't really see the band having the same "even Generation Y likes this band!" hipness that a lot of older bands have. Unless I'm completely out of touch with what's hip nowadays (a good bet).
Oh well, at least there's no danger of seeing Petty's ... well, you know. It's after the jump.















Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
12-03-2007 @ 3:46PM
Bailey said...
Let me apologize for the irate rant that is to come, and let it be known that this comes from a 24 year old semi-fan of garage rock, country, and R&B:
Tom Petty is, by all considerations, the greatest rock and roll musician of our time. He has constantly and consistently raised the bar in lyricism, musicianship, and performance, all while maintaining musical integrity in his operations and partnerships. He is possibly the best live performer touring today, with age NOT dampening his ability to provide a quality, entertaining set every time. He, Glenn Campbell, and the rest of the Heartbreakers will no doubt surpass the level of musicianship that has been the hallmark of the SuperBowl of late.
Stop the hate!! He's great, and y'all know it. If you don't, pick up the DVD "Running Down a Dream." If nothing else, check out the trailer, and realize that you should be thanking Tom Petty for 30 years of excellent music.
Reply
12-03-2007 @ 3:53PM
Ari said...
I love Tom Petty. That being said, they just did Paul McCartney so lets move on. I'm into two groups playing together, like U2 and GreenDay, something along those lines.
Reply
12-03-2007 @ 3:54PM
David said...
For next year's Super Bowl, the ever-hip NFL Entertainment Committee has feelers out to the Yardbirds, Nancy Sinatra, and that new musical sensation sweeping Europe, J.S. Bach!
Reply
12-03-2007 @ 3:58PM
Oscar said...
Good God Bob, are you like 7 years old or something? Your examples, first of all, are lame because those guys stopped making hits a looong time ago while Petty was churning out relevant albums in all 4 of his active decades.
He's not Paul McCartney, but he's definately closer to him than he is to Seger. Generation Y definately is aware of Tom Petty, those of us born in the early 80s saw lots of videos from him in th 90s, songs like Into the great Wide Open and You don't know how it feels.
I'm sorry if little children aren't aware of him, but I think the overwhelming majority of Super Bowl viewers will know who he is and will be glad to have another accomplished musical legend rocking the halftime show instead of some innane teeny bopper nonsense.
Reply
12-03-2007 @ 4:03PM
Jim said...
Everyone -- regardless of race, color or creed -- sings along to Free Fallin'. And I'm sure he'll trot out American Girl too.
I don't know if he'll top Prince covering the Foo Fighters, but I think it's a solid choice.
Reply
12-03-2007 @ 4:14PM
Dave said...
I don't think you are allowed to say "Super Bowl" - TVSquad is gonna get in trouble.... awwwwwwwwww... I'm telllin on you!!!!!
The NFL sucks and is a big contributing factor to the downward spiral of todays society... catering to drug dealers, users, murderers and thieves... Tom Petty will be the only class act in the building.
Reply
12-03-2007 @ 4:18PM
Ben G said...
this is a great choice. I would much rather have legendary artists who are legends because of their MUSIC doing the halftime show than the fustercluck that was the Janet Jackson halftime show. one thing that people seem to forget is that was an absolutely terrible halftime show even before Nipplegate happened.
i'm glad the NFL has gone in this direction for a few years. Prince was absolutely phenomenal last year, and i'm sure Petty will bring it as well.
Reply
12-03-2007 @ 4:24PM
AJ MacReady said...
Agreed with everything #1 said except for - sorry, man - it's MIKE Campbell who plays guitar for the Heartbreakers, not Glen.
And absolutely NO ONE comes to mind who has the kind of consistency that Petty has illustrated in his career. Sure, acts like the Stones and yes, even McCartney have kept making albums over the years, but were ALL of them good? No, they weren't, whereas Petty hasn't put out a classic every single time out, but he's never made a bad one. For a career that's spanned thirty-plus years, that's quite an accomplisment. I'm 32 and worship the man; I'd much rather see him show everybody how it's done than, say, Fall Out Boy and Rhianna take the stage (and I like FOB). And thank God it's not Britney and N'Suck again.
Reply
12-03-2007 @ 5:01PM
Rogphi said...
Good Choice for the Superb owl ( so I dont get In trouble @# 6 dave
It will never
Top Prince Making Penis shapes with his Guitar behind the curtain Like Last year! Best. halftime. Show. Ever!
Reply
12-03-2007 @ 5:01PM
Rogphi said...
Good Choice for the Superb owl ( so I dont get In trouble @# 6 dave )
It will never
Top Prince Making Penis shapes with his Guitar behind the curtain Like Last year! Best. halftime. Show. Ever!
Reply
12-03-2007 @ 5:29PM
nickmagoo said...
just a note - it's MIKE Campbell, not Glen who plays guitar for Petty. Glen is a country star (Rhinestone Cowboy, Gentle on My Mind, Wichita Lineman) and guitar whiz (he also was in the Beach Boys for a bit).
Reply
12-03-2007 @ 5:36PM
Chris Rod said...
"I can't really see the band having the same "even Generation Y likes this band!" hipness that a lot of older bands have. Unless I'm completely out of touch with what's hip nowadays (a good bet)."
I am a 22 year old male that has gone to a few tom petty concerts. Tom Petty is a Rock and Roll icon for all generations. He has always been into quality and it is hard to say that the generation Y crowd won't think he is "hip", without any examples or foundation in the statement. I actually thought the complete opposite when I first heard the great news. I am very glad to see Tom. Keep rocking.
Reply
12-03-2007 @ 5:50PM
S2K1 said...
Although I don't think he was the best choice available, I'm 22 and well aware of Tom Petty and enjoy some of his songs. Not a terrible choice, but not a great choice.
Reply
12-03-2007 @ 6:42PM
Randy said...
I was thinking that it would be Springsteen, but Petty's not a bad choice either.
Reply
12-03-2007 @ 7:02PM
Jim said...
Sassone hasn't taken a beat-down like this since Studio 60 was on!
Reply
12-03-2007 @ 7:40PM
Bailey said...
I'm so embarrassed - don't take away my Heartbreakers card for getting Mike Campbell's name wrong... My frustration got the best of me... :)
Reply
12-03-2007 @ 8:51PM
tozmervo said...
yeah i'm FREE
FREE FAAAAALLIN'!
Reply
12-03-2007 @ 10:12PM
ac said...
The way they're doing the Superbowl this year I'm just glad they didn't get all the American Idol winners up there *shudder*
Reply
12-04-2007 @ 7:35AM
Jimmy said...
Bob Sassone is an idiot... Tom Petty and the heartbreakers is one of the greatest bands of all time with a slew of hits. I think it is a great choice. His music transcends many generations. I've gone to several of his concerts and they are attended by a wide variety of people. Get a clue.
Reply
12-04-2007 @ 8:30AM
Galley said...
Tom Petty is one of the top-five all-time greatest American recording artists, so don't be dissing him. Oh, and he does a pretty good redneck imitation (King of the Hill).
Reply