TVSquad

Prince sucked last year (and I like Prince...especially his ability to always have had a fine female up-and-comer during his hayday). Tom Petty may do a good job this year, but it's nothing that is going to excite me or having me on the edge of my seat. Now I like rap and rock and a whole eclectic mix, but there has only been one show I have looked forward to and that was the year Nelly, Aerosmith, a boy band, and unfortunately Britney Spears. Spears was hot, and I loved seeing two cross generation/cross genre stars together in Nelly and Aerosmith.

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Bob Sassone is out of touch as he stated. Tom Petty is an icon in rock history and his songs were written just as most icons were, in such a way that they will be relevant forever, in some way. Man; Tom Petty was a Traveling wilbury playing with the likes of George Harrison, Bob Dylan, Roy Orbison, and of course Jeff Lynn who has been underrated for years. But back to Tom Petty and the HeartBreakers they were a great choice because even though many young people watch the SuperBall the Boomers right now have the major money to spend on it at the moment. In another 10 years you will probably see more artists from the X Gen. more Rap and more acts from the 90's & up. But even so, many young people know good music when they hear it and even though it may not be stacked in their Pods, it is not unknown stuff to them and they will appreciate the iconic value as well as the relevant style Tom Petty will bring to half time.

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I don't think I can add much to the outpouring of disdain and disbelief at what Bob Sassone wrote here, but I must. Tom Petty is a rock'n'roll powerhouse and absolutely transcends generational lines. I'm 26 (only just) and I have loved Petty's music since freakin highschool. Believe me, the young and old(er) are quite aware of him and his classic transcendental rock'n'roll. Prince can go take a flying leap for all I care. Whee, he can cavort on stage and moan and play guitar at the same time...doesn't matter. Tom went out there (I just saw the halftime how btw) and played a no-nonsense set and Mike Campbell's extended solo on the (unfortunately truncated) Runnin Down a Dream was awe-inspiring. You are right though, Tom Petty isn't a Prince or a Paul McCartney.....he's still relevant!! (not to slight Sir Paul though..still a legend).

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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.

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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.

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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!

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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!

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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!

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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).

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"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.

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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.

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Everyone tolerates Tom Petty. That's why he's a great choice. It's a please everyone move. He's not overexposed, everyone likes some of his songs... what's the downside exactly? This is what they should have done all along. The best shows that no one turns off are like this.

I don't even regularly listen to Petty, fwiw. But this is the super bowl, not exactly the most avant garde event of the year.

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I was thinking that it would be Springsteen, but Petty's not a bad choice either.

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Sassone hasn't taken a beat-down like this since Studio 60 was on!

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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... :)

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