Baseball writer Levi Weaver’s time spent as a singer, songwriter, and musician launches the reader into the unexpected world of ranking Super Bowl halftime shows. Dating back to 1991, Weaver digs into history to evaluate these shows. The unique rubric considers context as a vital lens in the appraisal process. With a scoring of 1 to 50, Weaver analyzes various elements, from vocal performance to staging to geographic relevance.
The 1992 halftime show wasn’t quite up to par, prompting organizers to change the following year. The emergence of the performance value during Michael Jackson’s iconic show marked a shift in the halftime show’s status. Bruce Springsteen and Patti LaBelle graced the stage in subsequent years, followed by a unique show sponsored by House of Blues. The Fergie-led show and the controversial 2004 show created a stir amidst the changing landscape of halftime performances.
Weaver then delves into a countdown of ranked shows, providing commentary drawing upon his knowledge of each era’s cultural context. His ranking concludes with a unique take on Prince’s legendary 2007 show, highlighting its unexpected transcendence amidst a deluge, creating an iconic moment in rock and roll history.