Why We Never Saw These Rock Acts Played The Super Bowl

Rock stars dominated the Super Bowl halftime stage for many years. While ZZ Top, Aerosmith, and Sting made memorable cameos, the main acts were the Rolling Stones, Paul McCartney, Tom Petty, Bruce Springsteen, U2, and Prince. However, the show’s focus has since switched to hip-hop, R&B, and pop. Maroon 5 was the latest rock band to play as the main act in 2019. The Who, a true classic rock act, last performed in 2010.

The NFL has since signed pop superstars like Shakira, Jennifer Lopez, and The Weeknd, and in 2022, Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, and Eminem gave a huge hip-hop show. The biggest platform in sports has not included rock, despite the genre’s continuous dominance in touring and festivals.

So, let’s try to focus on the future rather than reviewing the past. These ten rock stars are deserving of their chance to be included during the halftime show, especially because the Super Bowls are scheduled to take place in Las Vegas and New Orleans.

Why Didn’t These 10 Rock Stars Play at the Super Bowl?

At one point, the Super Bowl halftime show was dominated by rock bands. And here’s a list of who we think deserves to be on the half-time stage:

Queen
If there was any uncertainty regarding Queen’s enduring influence, Bohemian Rhapsody dispelled it. The band’s appeal transcends decades, as evidenced by the successful movie, which reintroduced them to a new audience. Now picture the spectacle of a Queen halftime performance during the Super Bowl. Adam Lambert, a longstanding partner, would lead the singing, of course, but the real thrill would come from unexpected guests.

Queen was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame by the Foo Fighters, who have also covered Under Pressure often and played alongside Brian May and Roger Taylor. Why not fulfill the dreams of Matt Bellamy, James Hetfield, and Billy Corgan to perform with Queen? And rock stars would not be the end of it. Lady Gaga and Katy Perry, pop stars and past halftime entertainers, have publicly lauded Queen. Actually, Radio Gaga, a song she could sing with the band, served as the inspiration for Gaga’s name. For this, the NFL ought to be waiting in line.

Foo Fighters
The Foo Fighters are worldwide superstars with enormous appeal, and they have all the makings of a memorable Super Bowl halftime performance. Dave Grohl’s intensity could electrify the largest platform in sports, and their anthemic tunes are made for stadium fans. However, it has never occurred even though it has been approached several times.

“We want to have a rock ‘n’ roll band,” they have stated on several occasions over the years in chats with me. Do you believe you could succeed?Grohl told KROQ Los Angeles, “.” “Oh my God, I think we’re going to win the Super Bowl!”After that, it will be someone like Madonna, Katy Perry, or someone similar.

Foo Fighters did have a halftime moment, albeit it wasn’t what you might have expected. During his iconic performance in 2007, Prince performed a rendition of “Best of You” that will never be forgotten.

Elton John
Imagine the clothes! Sir Elton John is a clear choice if the NFL is looking for a performer who is adored by everyone. The hardest part of his halftime presentation is choosing which of his vast catalog’s timeless hits to play.

The Super Bowl’s enormous stage may be too alluring to resist, even though Rocket Man has stated that his Goodbye Yellow Brick Road tour will be his final tour. A spectacle with spectacular costumes, memorable sing-alongs, and outstanding showmanship? It sounds like a memorable halftime spectacle.

Bon Jovi
Football and Jon Bon Jovi have a long history together. He even looked into NFL ownership options with the Atlanta Falcons and Buffalo Bills after having owned the Philadelphia Soul in the Arena Football League. Bon Jovi has never been the star of a halftime show, which may be explained by his lifelong association with Patriots coach Bill Belichick, which includes winning Super Bowl rings.

There is no doubt about Bon Jovi’s enormous appeal, but the NFL may be concerned about the perception of partiality. The frontman said in 2020 that he had “no desire” to perform and had already declined the invitation. He might have a change of heart one day, though.

AC/DC
There are many petitions urging AC/DC to perform at the Super Bowl halftime show, according to a fast Google search. With a repertoire that includes stadium hits like “Back in Black,” “Highway to Hell,” and “T.N.T.,” their performance would probably set a new record for the loudest halftime show ever. Axl Rose, who famously replaced Brian Johnson in 2016 when Johnson had to step aside due to health issues, could surprise the group with a visit, even though their 2020 album Power Up demonstrated that they are still rocking hard.

Metallica
Many people think that the NFL lost out on a fantastic opportunity at the 2016 Bay Area Super Bowl 50. Coldplay was chosen for the halftime act, even though it felt like the ideal moment to include local rock icons Metallica. Metallica played a sold-out show at AT&T Park in January 2019. If given the chance, Metallica will surely put on an incredible show in any Super Bowl city thanks to their explosive music, breathtaking visuals, and recent cross-genre collaborations.

Billy Joel
Billy Joel’s legendary position is further enhanced by his legendary residency at Madison Square Garden, which demonstrates his ability to pack a stadium. An appropriate career milestone would be a Super Bowl halftime performance. He has performed the national anthem twice, in 1989 and 2007, although he has not yet been featured in a halftime performance. His widespread appeal is undoubtedly recognized by the NFL, but there may be some lingering issues. Dennis Arfa, Joel’s agent, may have soured their relationship and kept Joel out of the spotlight in 2014 when he objected to the NFL’s demand for a cut of halftime musicians’ tour revenue.

Guns N’ Roses
The success of Guns N’ Roses’ Not In This Lifetime reunion tour showed us the band’s continuous appeal. They still have an impact on younger fans, as seen by a strong performance at Coachella in 2016. The NFL would surely take notice if the band’s 1989 performance had been much more explosive, they were too rebellious at the time to ever entertain such a high-profile event, especially since the Super Bowl halftime show was still developing into its grand form. A smarter, reunited GNR would electrify the crowd today. In addition, we would be willing to do everything to forget Slash’s 2011 rendition of Fergie’s “Sweet Child of Mine” song.

Pearl Jam
Having performed at legendary stadiums like Wrigley Field, Safeco Field, and Fenway Park, Eddie Vedder and the band are no strangers to stadiums. Although they are well-known for their passion for baseball, one of the most well-liked bands in America would have little trouble making the switch to the football field. Pearl Jam could easily put together a memorable Super Bowl show with more than three decades of great tunes. The success of their 2020 album Gigaton demonstrated the band’s continued creative vitality. Given that they collaborated on charity performances with the Seattle Seahawks in 2018, an NFL partnership doesn’t seem out of the question.

Eagles
Imagine the legendary rock group, the Philadelphia Eagles, performing at halftime as the team gets ready for their fourth Super Bowl participation in 2023. Even though the band and the football team don’t have many similarities, it’s obvious that the Eagles are a favorite among all age groups because of their timeless repertoire. It would be difficult for the group to choose just a few songs for a halftime show: “Take It Easy,” “Life in the Fast Lane,” “Hotel California,” and a ton more. Maybe they would perform Hotel California in its entirety and let that well-known song take center stage. We wouldn’t be upset!