Prince Will Rock You

Who doesn't love an over the top Half Time show? Prince certainly helped deliver an elaborate one during last night's game, starting things off with some good 'ol pyrotechnics. As the rain came down, people charged the field as he started to play a medley of past hits (his own songs, as well as Foo Fighters, Dylan and more).

Since the Superbowl is all about commercials (and, uh, the game) they even made a commercial for the Prince halftime show. Watch it here. We're kind of surprised they didn't release 1,999 doves. Check out the actual halftime show with fire, glow in the dark marching band, and much more, above. Here is part two, and finally, here's some Purple Rain (in the rain).

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By Jen Carlson in Arts and Events on February 5, 2007 11:15 AM

Comments [rss]

DDike

Prince was awesome, as he always is live. Funny how some youth have no clue as to his influence on music (he didn't just play Foo Fighter's 'Best of You' to do a random cover... it was a nod to Dave Grohl, who lists Prince as one of his biggest influences). Thanks to all the devoted ones who listed all his bona fide hits since his "peak" in 1984. Not everyone needs to chart on Billboard to prove their worthy. Prince endures because he is dedicated to his craft, and he could give a -shut yo mouth! - about popularity. I've beem thoroughly amazed at his career path. And, let there be no doubt -- he is one of the greatest guitarists in Rock history. 'nuff said.

Chelsea

Who thinks that Prince hasn't had a major hit since 1984? Were you in a cave during the release of "Kiss" (1986), "IF I Was Your Girlfriend" (1989), "Adore" (1989), "Sign o' the Times" (1989), "Thieves in the Temple" (1989), "Diamonds and Pearls", "Cream", "Musicology", "Call My Name", "Lolita", "Black Sweat", and "Beautiful, Loved and Blessed", plus many others? His list of hits are so long that I could be up all night typing them.

blumer

Actually, his last top 10 hit was The Most Beautiful Girl in the World in 94. His name-change and pretty much being a recluse for 10 years didn't help him have any hits since but he still has put out great albums, just cares more about putting out good music now than album charts and hits.

alphabet st.

14 is dead on. Prince is a musical genius on par with James Brown and the Beatles (that's right). Unfamiliarity with Prince is a sign of ignorance, not a sign o' the times.

Alexia

Prince's last album, 3121, hit Number 1 on the Billboard charts in 2006 and received 6 Grammy nominations. His original song for Happy Feet just won a Golden Globe. Prince's 2004 concert tour outgrossed every other tour that year. "7" from 1992's Symbol album was probably his last hit on the pop charts, but he keeps making the R&B charts, notably with the very recent, Grammy-nominated and way-too-funky "Black Sweat". Plus, he's fine.

You better recognize. Prince is Prince, baby. Anyone who pooh-poohs him is jes jealous.

jammer

Prince is genius. My mom and I watched the halftime show together over the phone, both hoping Prince wouldnt get electrocuted with all the rain and pyrotechnics. A bit of comic genius i've discovered (by Prince) is his song Bob George from the Black Album. It's insanity. If you've never heard it, prepare to be blown...away.

nick

another live television performance where prince decides to remind people who fucking good he is at guitar. i loved every second of it.

charlie can't murph

Anyone who can play basketball and dunk on Charlie Murphy is OK in my book.

And, serve breakfast the next morning.

Charles

No way, I cant stand by and allow people to call Prince an 80s has-been. If only that his albums in the eighties are so incredible that he can never be a has been to me. Those albums are still so vital and musicians nowadays wish they could do anything like that. And that halftime show proves that the man still has it. And I'm 30 and I feel this way.

H

anybody know how much the super bowl halftime performer gets paid?

Dude

Superbowl halftime shows were fill with 80's and before has beens lately, even counting the infamous Janet Jackson show, they had Paul McCartney and the Rolling Stones the past two years. Although I wouldn't mind seeing the reunited Police next year.

Elderta

It was the best Super Bowl Half Time show since U2. Prince was great, even better in the rain. If there are folks out there who don't know who he is, they are certainly finding out today. I'm sure his album sales are going through the roof today. It was the only part of the Super Bowl that I watched, and I'm so glad I did!

It's funny to read some of the articles about his performance that couldn't figure out exactly what to call the du-rag on his head. It was raining and that coiff would not have kept if he hadn't had it on at the beginning, that's for sure.

Dirk

In my opinion, Prince reached his peak with the "Sign O The Times" double album. Everything after that kind of blew. I love Prince but he seemed an odd choice for the halftime show since a huge portion of the viewing audience probably views him as some sort of 80s nostalgia act.

amber

No Hits are you nuts?!?!? Cream, Get Off? And he also wrote Nothing Compares 2 U. I am only 29 that girl needs to get out more.

brooklynbee

Ha, I was thinking the same thing about Prince not aging.

But didn't he have some hits on the "Symbol" album which came out around 1992? Seven? Get off?

Meredith

Incredible. What a musician, what a human. I hate football, but I would have loved to be there if only for his performance.

don

Isn't it amazing that:

1)Prince doesn't age.

2)He hasn't had a major memorable pop hit since 1984, a full generation ago? I work with a 24-year-old who had only the vaguest idea of who "that guy in the halftime show" was.