at 20:59 on November 25, 2007, EST.
By Cassandra Szklarski, THE CANADIAN PRESS


Lenny Kravitz performs during the half time show at the 95th Canadian Football League Grey Cup between the Winnipeg Blue Bombers and Saskatchewan Roughriders in Toronto, Sunday. THE CANADIAN PRESS/John Woods

TORONTO - American rocker Lenny Kravitz got Canadian football fans going his way at the Grey Cup on Sunday with a straight-ahead guitar-driven halftime show that had the sold-out crowd on its feet screaming for his hits.

Dressed in a black leather jacket and sunglasses, the 43-year-old singer elicited enthusiastic hoots and hollers for his cover of the Guess Who song, "American Woman" and his signature '70s-inspired song, "Are You Gonna Go My Way."

Some 300 cheerleaders formed a loose ring around a simple stage adorned in black and white and rotating lights, while several hundred contest winners and select ticket holders for the game between the Winnipeg Blue Bombers and Saskatchewan Roughriders screamed from the footlights.

The New York-based musician did little to engage the crowd aside from a brief shout-out to Canada and a plug for his new album.

"Canada, thank you," Kravitz said following a brief three-song set that also featured a cut from his upcoming disc "It is Time for a Love Revolution."

"Peace. Love. Revolution," he said before leaving the stage.

Several minutes after his performance, the stadium announcer read out a belated quote from Kravitz: "Tonight was amazing."

The rock show was a return of sorts to the tone of Grey Cup halftime shows past, following the hip-hop flavoured grooves of last year's Nelly Furtado and the Black Eyed Peas the year before.

Furtado's show in Winnipeg featured the Victoria native's provocative hit "Promiscuous," while the American quartet raised eyebrows with a raunchy act in Vancouver that had singer Fergie gyrating suggestively to their hit, "My Humps."

Nevertheless, reaction to Kravitz's appearance at Canada's biggest football game was mixed, with some fans grumbling early on that the halftime show didn't feature a homegrown star.

Others said they didn't mind the international guest, noting that it would only help boost the profile of Canadian sports.

"It is a great Canadian game and I think they picked someone that will draw and entertain fans," said Suzie Williams, adding she was impressed with all the street parties and the amount of entertainment organized in the lead-up to the big game.

"It's part of the whole show, with the concerts going on, it's exciting to be able to have some known entertainment coming to the game, watching a good football game and then getting some good halftime entertainment from Lenny Kravitz."

There was plenty of Canadian talent on hand in supporting roles.

Hometown heroes the Barenaked Ladies kicked things off with the national anthem while Sloan drew a crowd in front of the Rogers Centre with a free street performance.

Canadian rock veterans Loverboy, Trooper, Blue Rodeo and Great Big Sea were among the other musicians to entertain fans in free and ticketed events that spanned four days.

Still, Sunday's halftime show paled in comparison to the glitz and glam of its American cousin.

While the Super Bowl's over-the-top spectacle often includes pyrotechnics and multiple celebrity draws, the Canadian show was boosted only by a short performance by a step troupe and drumline for 52,230 fans gathered at the Rogers Centre.

Cheerleader Andrea Hoda said she was excited to be part of the big game, no matter what.

"It is amazingly huge, it's a great experience and I'm really happy to be doing it, " said Hoda, 29, part of the Toronto Argonauts Blue Thunder squad.

"I don't care what anybody says but the CFL is way better than the American game."

The halftime show capped several days of downtown parties highlighted by the traditional Grey Cup pancake breakfast and a slew of all-day events Saturday that included book signings and football demonstrations.


©The Canadian Press, 2007

Lenny rocked the house and looked as good as ever!!!!

in other Lenny news,I heard that his upcoming album will include a collaboration/duet with Justin Timberlake.

SoulAlive said:

Oh well - I guess Lenny wants a hit!

SoulAlive said:

PLEASE tell me you're kidding - the song he did with Jay-Z a few years ago was lame enough