If you've been keeping score, the last time a legendary rock act performed during the Super Bowl Halftime Show was The Who in 2010 in Miami.
Since then it's been Pop, Hip-Hop and R&B acts. The reason? More viewers.
Billboard has compiled the "Top 10 Most-Watched Super Bowl Halftime Shows" and Sunday's performance by Usher topped the list with 123.4-million.
He's followed by:
- 2) Rihanna - 121-million in 2023
- 3) Katy Perry - 121-million (2015)
- 4) Lady Gaga - 117.5-million (2017)
- 5) Coldplay w/Beyonce & Bruno Mars - 115.5-million (2016)
- 6) Bruno Mars w/Red Hot Chili Peppers - 115.3-million (2014)
- 7) Madonna - 114-million (2012)
- 8) Beyonce - 110.8-million (2013)
- 9) Black Eyed Peas - 110.2-million (2011)
- 10) Justin Timberlake - 106.6-million (2018)
Prior to The Who we saw:
- Bruce Springsteen and The E Street Band (2009)
- Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers (2008)
- Prince (2007)
- The Rolling Stones (2006)
- Paul McCartney (2005)
- U2 (2002)
- Aerosmith (2001)
Now, this is not to say that they didn't draw viewers, but the options for viewing have increased tremendously since then.
Also, having younger acts means younger viewers.
Plus, short of a Led Zeppelin reunion, the Eagles, or Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr performing together, it will be tough for the NFL to top that list of iconic artists that they put together between 2001 and 2010.
Speaking of Super Bowl stuff......Steven Tyler posted a video of himself watching Usher perform Sunday at the Super Bowl Halftime Show. Tyler and Aerosmith performed at the Halftime Show in 2001.