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Thread started 09/25/16 4:37am

rogifan

Revisiting Prince's Super Bowl Performance

His entire set was amazing. I've revisited a lot of Super Bowl performances and most of them were dreadful. Too many artists on stage lip syncing songs that don't translate well to a big stadium; too many older acts that really showed their age (looking at you Rolling Stones and The Who); too many productions full of random artists that don't really belong together (like Aerosmith, Britney Spears and N'Sync).

Prince was just Prince on stage with his guitar and the best marching band in the country. A marching band that wasn't just a prop; one that was brilliantly used throughout the performance. Looking back at other half time shows very few from 1991 onwards utilized a marching band. I think it was brilliant that Prince did. One thing associated with football (high school and college) is marching bands. And I think his song choices were brilliant. He wasn't there because he was promoting a new album and playing a bunch of songs nobody knew. He's Prince yet he throws in three covers all of which flowed and fit the set perfectly. His Purple Rain solo when the white sheet comes up and all you see is his silhouette is iconic and will forever be remembered. And of course playing in the rain....it was the first and only (so far) Super Bowl where it rained.

I know U2 usually top people's list of the best Super Bowl half time show but I think that's more to do with them performing right after 9/11 than anything else. For me no performance before or afte tops Prince. Sorry Michael, Bruce, Madonna, Beyoncé. Prince has you beat. Anyone else agree?
Paisley Park is in your heart
#PrinceForever 💜
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Reply #1 posted 09/25/16 4:50am

CooperC62057

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Thank you for posting this! I remember watching that half time show and being totally blown away! I too remember watching half time shows done by some of my favorite "older" artists and feeling totally saddened that they no longer had the power to captivate me. Not so with Prince! I will forever remember that as the Number One Super Bowl Performance of all time!
"Remember when you told me that love was touching souls?" ☔️ A Case of You ☔️
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Reply #2 posted 09/25/16 6:11am

rainbowchild

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I love everything about it. Surprised it took that long for him to get an invite to perform at the Super Bowl.
"Just like the sun, the Rainbow Children rise."



"We had fun, didn't we?"
-Prince (1958-2016) 4ever in my life
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Reply #3 posted 09/25/16 7:53am

rogifan

rainbowchild said:

I love everything about it. Surprised it took that long for him to get an invite to perform at the Super Bowl.

It wasn't really until the 2000s the the super bowl even had half way decent half time shows. The '91 half time show was Disneyland characters with New Kids on the Block. And another year it was an Indiana Jones theme with Patti Labelle and Tony Bennett. WTF? lol

The great thing about Prince's performance is it wasn't tied to anything. He wasn't promoting a new album or anything. Bruce Springsteen's performance was centered around promotion of a new album and coincided with a greatest hits CD deal with Walmart that fans hated and he later admitted was a mistake. Everything about Prince's performance was authentic. And the end when he bowed and thanked the crowd and had this humbled look on his face with his hair messed up and soaking wet from the rain....oh man it just melts the heart.

5df6998e18fb386491d650eedc752baa.jpg
Paisley Park is in your heart
#PrinceForever 💜
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Reply #4 posted 09/25/16 8:02am

1Sasha

What really tells you how great he was, and how great this performance was, is the background information which came out after he died. The people from the NFL and the production company said he was the consummate professional - no complaints, no whining, no diva behavior. He played them the set he planned to do on a recording in a hotel room, then months later came in and played like the rock star he was. Even these people, who have worked with other big stars, said he was the absolute best. No comparison. Nobody better. Thank you for the photo, Rogifan. I had never seen that before.

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Reply #5 posted 09/25/16 8:05am

rainbowchild

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rogifan said:

rainbowchild said:

I love everything about it. Surprised it took that long for him to get an invite to perform at the Super Bowl.

It wasn't really until the 2000s the the super bowl even had half way decent half time shows. The '91 half time show was Disneyland characters with New Kids on the Block. And another year it was an Indiana Jones theme with Patti Labelle and Tony Bennett. WTF? lol

The great thing about Prince's performance is it wasn't tied to anything. He wasn't promoting a new album or anything. Bruce Springsteen's performance was centered around promotion of a new album and coincided with a greatest hits CD deal with Walmart that fans hated and he later admitted was a mistake. Everything about Prince's performance was authentic. And the end when he bowed and thanked the crowd and had this humbled look on his face with his hair messed up and soaking wet from the rain....oh man it just melts the heart.

5df6998e18fb386491d650eedc752baa.jpg


My team-- the Bears-- were playing at the Super Bowl that year-- so it was great seeing Prince perform at the Super Bowl, finally. The Emmy tribute featuring his Super Bowl half time performance brought tears to my eyes. sad
"Just like the sun, the Rainbow Children rise."



"We had fun, didn't we?"
-Prince (1958-2016) 4ever in my life
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Reply #6 posted 09/25/16 8:16am

rogifan

1Sasha said:

What really tells you how great he was, and how great this performance was, is the background information which came out after he died. The people from the NFL and the production company said he was the consummate professional - no complaints, no whining, no diva behavior. He played them the set he planned to do on a recording in a hotel room, then months later came in and played like the rock star he was. Even these people, who have worked with other big stars, said he was the absolute best. No comparison. Nobody better. Thank you for the photo, Rogifan. I had never seen that before.


I read somewhere that rehearsals didn't go well and Prince was not happy at all and demanded the tape. So I'm not sure what they would have done if he refused to perform at the last minute or they had technical difficulties. Doesn't sound like there was a plan B.
Paisley Park is in your heart
#PrinceForever 💜
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Reply #7 posted 09/25/16 8:36am

lwr001

and his outfit matched the Dolphins who's stadium they were playing...make it rain some more ..we got this

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Reply #8 posted 09/25/16 8:38am

1Sasha

Rogifan, I didn't know that. Just more evidence of the perfectionist he was and how important his craft was to him.

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Reply #9 posted 09/25/16 8:58am

Doozer

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Great article by Charles Coplin, head of programming for the NFL in 2007, about the selection of Prince to play and how it came together:

.
http://www.thedailybeast....mance.html
Check out The Mountains and the Sea, a Prince podcast by yours truly and my wife. More info at https://www.facebook.com/TMATSPodcast/
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Reply #10 posted 09/25/16 9:36am

PurpleDiamonds
1

Doozer said:

Great article by Charles Coplin, head of programming for the NFL in 2007, about the selection of Prince to play and how it came together:

.
http://www.thedailybeast....mance.html


Loved the article

Rogifan thanks for sharing the picture! That is the first pic where you can see how hard the rain was coming down.
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Reply #11 posted 09/25/16 9:40am

rainbowchild

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PurpleDiamonds1 said:

Doozer said:

Great article by Charles Coplin, head of programming for the NFL in 2007, about the selection of Prince to play and how it came together:

.
http://www.thedailybeast....mance.html


Loved the article

Rogifan thanks for sharing the picture! That is the first pic where you can see how hard the rain was coming down.


Thanks for sharing the article. Prince passing the box of tissues at the end was overdramatic-- typical Prince. lol I miss him. sad
"Just like the sun, the Rainbow Children rise."



"We had fun, didn't we?"
-Prince (1958-2016) 4ever in my life
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Reply #12 posted 09/25/16 9:49am

rogifan

Doozer said:

Great article by Charles Coplin, head of programming for the NFL in 2007, about the selection of Prince to play and how it came together:

.
http://www.thedailybeast....mance.html

I remember reading this, thanks for sharing again.
Paisley Park is in your heart
#PrinceForever 💜
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Reply #13 posted 09/25/16 9:50am

rogifan

PurpleDiamonds1 said:

Doozer said:

Great article by Charles Coplin, head of programming for the NFL in 2007, about the selection of Prince to play and how it came together:

.
http://www.thedailybeast....mance.html


Loved the article

Rogifan thanks for sharing the picture! That is the first pic where you can see how hard the rain was coming down.

I always wondered why his clothes didn't look that wet. Maybe it was a fabric that repelled the rain?
Paisley Park is in your heart
#PrinceForever 💜
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Reply #14 posted 09/25/16 9:55am

SBartist

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Doozer said:

Great article by Charles Coplin, head of programming for the NFL in 2007, about the selection of Prince to play and how it came together: . http://www.thedailybeast....mance.html

Thank you. Miss him.

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Reply #15 posted 09/25/16 11:51am

KoolEaze

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Co-sign on everything rogifan said.

I loved the performance, the choice of songs, the attitude, the rain, the way he took off his bandana and the humbled look on his face when it was all over.

In my opinion one of the best moments and best decisions of his career. He touched many, many hearts that night. And it was amazing how he kept his cool and just did what he does best, despite the heavy rain...and how he used the rain to his advantage instead of being distracted.

Naysayers could probably come up with a bunch of things to dislike (like the coversongs, the performance, whatever...) but that performance was the epitomé of what Prince was about, and I learned a lot from that performance and that attitude.

No matter how bad the odds and circumstances are, with a bit of self confidence and attitude, you can still do your thing, and do it like nobody else can.

Unforgettable.

" I´d rather be a stank ass hoe because I´m not stupid. Oh my goodness! I got more drugs! I´m always funny dude...I´m hilarious! Are we gonna smoke?"
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Reply #16 posted 09/25/16 12:29pm

Misslink88

The commercial for it was hilarious.

God is my Sugar Daddy.
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Reply #17 posted 09/25/16 1:10pm

CherryMoon57

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I couldn't agree with you more rogifan, the whole performance was majestic. He certainly was in top form that year.

Life Matters
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Reply #18 posted 09/25/16 1:28pm

beautyunaffect
ed

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rogifan said:

rainbowchild said:

I love everything about it. Surprised it took that long for him to get an invite to perform at the Super Bowl.

It wasn't really until the 2000s the the super bowl even had half way decent half time shows. The '91 half time show was Disneyland characters with New Kids on the Block. And another year it was an Indiana Jones theme with Patti Labelle and Tony Bennett. WTF? lol

The great thing about Prince's performance is it wasn't tied to anything. He wasn't promoting a new album or anything. Bruce Springsteen's performance was centered around promotion of a new album and coincided with a greatest hits CD deal with Walmart that fans hated and he later admitted was a mistake. Everything about Prince's performance was authentic. And the end when he bowed and thanked the crowd and had this humbled look on his face with his hair messed up and soaking wet from the rain....oh man it just melts the heart.

5df6998e18fb386491d650eedc752baa.jpg


I have his superbowl performance saved on my DVR; the NFL channel showed his superbowl performance about two weeks after his passing. I watch it every now and then, its just perfect. One thing I noticed was his expressions during the peformance. He looked sooo happy and touched by the whole experience. lt melts my heart too💜💜
i think i want ya
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Reply #19 posted 09/25/16 1:30pm

Gadotou

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KoolEaze said:

Co-sign on everything rogifan said.

I loved the performance, the choice of songs, the attitude, the rain, the way he took off his bandana and the humbled look on his face when it was all over.

In my opinion one of the best moments and best decisions of his career. He touched many, many hearts that night. And it was amazing how he kept his cool and just did what he does best, despite the heavy rain...and how he used the rain to his advantage instead of being distracted.

Naysayers could probably come up with a bunch of things to dislike (like the coversongs, the performance, whatever...) but that performance was the epitomé of what Prince was about, and I learned a lot from that performance and that attitude.

No matter how bad the odds and circumstances are, with a bit of self confidence and attitude, you can still do your thing, and do it like nobody else can.

Unforgettable.


Co-signing on your co-sign nod

"Dive inside your soul if U wanna know, the light inside the darkness forever glows" (Prince, 1958 - Eternity)
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Reply #20 posted 09/25/16 1:45pm

Dibblekins

MORE TO THE POINT: What brand of make-up must P have been wearing that night for there to be NO RUNNING MASCARA, and NO SMUDGES on his jacket sleeve when he repeatedly wipes his face???

.

Superhuman, I tells ya!!! wink

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Reply #21 posted 09/25/16 2:10pm

Starrdust505

I agree with all that has been said, everything about this performance from his outfit to his choice of songs was perfect! Prince was the consummate professional, who totally owned the stage and stadium that night. I love the story of when someone told him that it was raining, he responded by asking whether the person could make it rain harder? You gotta love the guy, he was something else, so special. biggrin

Come now, isn't life a little better with a pair of good shoes? - Prince 1985
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Reply #22 posted 09/25/16 2:16pm

1Sasha

Taylor Hawkins said the Foos didn't know he was going to sing their song - in fact, they thought he was angry they had previously covered one of his songs - and I have never read that Prince ever told them why he picked their tune. Brilliant!

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Reply #23 posted 09/25/16 2:40pm

rogifan

KoolEaze said:

Co-sign on everything rogifan said.


I loved the performance, the choice of songs, the attitude, the rain, the way he took off his bandana and the humbled look on his face when it was all over.


In my opinion one of the best moments and best decisions of his career. He touched many, many hearts that night. And it was amazing how he kept his cool and just did what he does best, despite the heavy rain...and how he used the rain to his advantage instead of being distracted.


Naysayers could probably come up with a bunch of things to dislike (like the coversongs, the performance, whatever...) but that performance was the epitomé of what Prince was about, and I learned a lot from that performance and that attitude.


No matter how bad the odds and circumstances are, with a bit of self confidence and attitude, you can still do your thing, and do it like nobody else can.


Unforgettable.


Co-sign everything you said here, just beautiful. 💜
Paisley Park is in your heart
#PrinceForever 💜
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Reply #24 posted 09/25/16 4:13pm

luv4u

Moderator

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moderator

The best super bowl performance ever.

Prince raised the bar.

canada

Ohh purple joy oh purple bliss oh purple rapture!
REAL MUSIC by REAL MUSICIANS - Prince
"I kind of wish there was a reason for Prince to make the site crash more" ~~ Ben
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Reply #25 posted 09/26/16 6:48am

donnyenglish

Epic. I have always had a question. Near the end when he knocks over his mic does that mess up the guitar? It sounds like you can no longer hear the guitar near the end. Other than that, it was a flawless performance.

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Reply #26 posted 09/26/16 10:15am

Bebop17

rogifan said:

His entire set was amazing. I've revisited a lot of Super Bowl performances and most of them were dreadful. Too many artists on stage lip syncing songs that don't translate well to a big stadium; too many older acts that really showed their age (looking at you Rolling Stones and The Who); too many productions full of random artists that don't really belong together (like Aerosmith, Britney Spears and N'Sync). Prince was just Prince on stage with his guitar and the best marching band in the country. A marching band that wasn't just a prop; one that was brilliantly used throughout the performance. Looking back at other half time shows very few from 1991 onwards utilized a marching band. I think it was brilliant that Prince did. One thing associated with football (high school and college) is marching bands. And I think his song choices were brilliant. He wasn't there because he was promoting a new album and playing a bunch of songs nobody knew. He's Prince yet he throws in three covers all of which flowed and fit the set perfectly. His Purple Rain solo when the white sheet comes up and all you see is his silhouette is iconic and will forever be remembered. And of course playing in the rain....it was the first and only (so far) Super Bowl where it rained. I know U2 usually top people's list of the best Super Bowl half time show but I think that's more to do with them performing right after 9/11 than anything else. For me no performance before or afte tops Prince. Sorry Michael, Bruce, Madonna, Beyoncé. Prince has you beat. Anyone else agree?

I'm with you, hands down the best halftime show ever, such an incredible, joy-fueled performance. It's one of the best videos to help convert people to the purple side lol Thank you for sharing that beautiful pic, it does melt the heart. bheart heart Have you seen his very short, very sweet thank you video? It's on one of the Lotus TV DVDs along with a few other extras. Screenshot:



The best extra IMO was the press conference for this show. It was pretty epic too. He brought a few friends, and he went from zero to guitar face in nothing flat, and stayed there for the duration. headbang

Gimme some horns ... uh!
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Reply #27 posted 09/26/16 4:07pm

AnnaStesia10

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I agree best Superbowl halftime performance - ever!!! He was on fire and everything worked even the rain!!! He was such an awesome performer, we all knew this fact. But for him to show it to the world like that and be bad ass doing it, come on now. In my opinion no one has or ever will top that performance.

"A strong spirit transcends rules." - Prince
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Reply #28 posted 09/27/16 12:12pm

KoolEaze

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That´s a great picture.

Especially when juxtaposed with your avatar picture from Under the Cherry Moon and that slicked back hair. All those decades later, and he hadn´t changed much and still looks so young in this screenshot.

In my opinion it was one of his most memorable, most iconic performances and one of his finest moments.

AnnaStesia10 said:

I agree best Superbowl halftime performance - ever!!! He was on fire and everything worked even the rain!!! He was such an awesome performer, we all knew this fact. But for him to show it to the world like that and be bad ass doing it, come on now. In my opinion no one has or ever will top that performance.

" I´d rather be a stank ass hoe because I´m not stupid. Oh my goodness! I got more drugs! I´m always funny dude...I´m hilarious! Are we gonna smoke?"
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Reply #29 posted 09/28/16 6:05pm

PennyPurple

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It was the very best performance. ever.

My heart still weeps that we lost our Prince.

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