There weren’t any ridiculous costumes, or over-the-top theatrics and thankfully no of-the-moment pop stars, this was just The Who or at least the surviving members and a medley of some of their most well known (especially on CBS*) songs.
Amongst the blackness of the darkened Sun Life Stadium (Dolphin Stadium) in Miami Gardens, Florida blazed a large light display, that I could only describe as a burst of neon white rays, at the center The Who appeared as the lights came up and the eyes of America focused in. With green lasers whizzing overhead and a stadium full of eager fans cheering them on, Roger Daltrey, Pete Townshend, and their backing band ripped though some of The Who’s biggest and most recognizable hits. The twelve minute medley consisted partially or wholly of; “Pinball Wizard,” “Baba O’Reilly,” “Who Are You?,” “See Me, Feel Me” and “Won’t Get Fooled Again.”
Whether you agree or not, The Who are arguably one of the worlds greatest rock-n-roll bands and have been doing their thing since 1964, and it is amazing to see that they can still rock out with the youngest of them. That said, their performance, although solid sounded like the best The Who cover band I’ve ever heard. Roger still has pipes, but they don’t deliver with the ferocity they once did, and although musically Pete and the band delivered a spot on performance, the overall sound did not have the same aggression and refined rawness The Who are known for. Don’t get me wrong, these guys can hold their own against almost any past Super Bowl performer, however they are but a wonderful shadow of their former greatness.
I have to admit, I was watching with some anxiety as I anticipated the likes of the Black Eyed Peas or some other contemporary artist to take the stage with The Who and put a completely unnecessary spin on one of rocks classics, and was very relieved when the lights went back down without any surprises. The wardrobe malfunction made an appearance again this year though, in the form of a ill fitting shirt that seemed to keep getting in the way of Townshend’s trademark windmill guitar strum.
The Who has still got it, mostly, and seemed to make a good impression with the adoring crowd. This was another in a recent line of “safe for middle America” half-time shows, following Tom Petty in 2008, and Bruce Springsteen in 2009, and I for one can’t really complain. Now, we will just have to wait and see what the NFL has in store for us next year at Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas.
* The NFL’s Super Bowl XLIV aired on CBS, home of CSI (theme: “Who Are You”), CSI: New York (theme: “Baba O’Reilly”), and CSI Miami (theme: Won’t Get Fooled Again).
[Sadly, all pictures would be the property of the NFL & CBS so we don't have anything we can share here.]
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The J is approaching his middle ageness the same way he approaches everything, half-assed. He is East Coast raised, but is now roasting slowly in the desert. Musical tendencies sway towards; Old School Hip-Hop, Girl Pop, Lounge, Techno, and other crap. Favorite Artists include: Cake, Ben Folds, Bitter:Sweet, Public Enemy, Fatboy Slim, and you. 
Bah, I thought it was lame and too safe. After the Janet and Justin incident, CBS seems concerned with only booking artists with one foot in the nursing home, the other on stage.
It was certainly a very safe act, and you are right about the choices they have been making since “Niplegate”. Sure, most of the latest acts are past proven money makers, but some of those safe performers have turned in shows that were worse than boring, some were down right bad. I would like to see a little more pizazz in my half-time show, but I know that I am probably amongst the minority the network’s target audience.
What’s wrong with safe!? I’d prefer to see safe, to see The Who, Tom Petty…save the drama for the Grammy’s!