But there are two cities in America where there simply should not be a band imported to play at a quintessential American event, which is how the NFL packages the Super Bowl: Nashville and Detroit.
A whole lot of folks here were upset over the Stones being picked to play when Detroit has an unparalleled and historic stable of artists across the music spectrum. The two things associated with Detroit are cars and music, yet the NFL favored a European band, meaning the league passed on all of Motown, not to mention locals such as Madonna, Anita Baker, Eminem and Kid Rock.
The great Smokey Robinson performed across the street from Ford Field on Friday night, so chances are he was available. And if Aretha Franklin and Stevie Wonder can do pregame and the national anthem, then why not reward them with the honor of doing the big show? Seeing Aretha perform in Detroit is, for some of us, the equivalent of seeing Frank Sinatra perform in New York or Michael Jordan perform in Chicago.
It makes me wonder if some artists, particularly in the R&B tradition, are being forced to pay for Janet Jackson’s wardrobe malfunction from a couple of years ago.
4 thoughts on “What he said”
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I would say that New Orleans (which has hosted 9 Superbowls) is another city that should be added to the list of cities
“where there simply should not be a band imported to play at a quintessential American event.”
If I am not mistaken they also have a well established and uniquely American musical identity deeply rooted in their cultural heritage.
While I heartily agree with the above statements, alas, it is not about honoring the local musicians or cultural heritage of any region, but rather about which big name is going to draw in the most viewers to watch the half-time show (instead of turning the channel or leaving the room), therefore guarantying the biggest advertising dollars. Their greed-motivated thinking probably goes something like this: “Let’s see…. How many viewers can we get to stick around for Justin Timberlake and Janet Jackson (or The Rolling Stones)? vs: “How many viewers we can get to stick around (or tune in for) Muddy Joe Blow from New Orleans (or MoTown Moses)? Since I don’t even watch the Super Bowl, I honestly couldn’t care less, but as always, it’s about raking in the big bucks, not what’s appropriate or logical or even the best quality entertainment available. Pablum for the masses, you know.
Of course, I realize I am terribly cynical, but accurate on this count I would wager.
Sorry, but I can’t be either shocked or appalled that the Superbowl and its halftime show are money-making ventures. The NFL, the stadium, and the TV networks are all businesses, after all, not public service organizations. And the Superbowl is BIG business. I don’t blame the organizers for wanting to make it as mass-marketable as possible.
That said, I think a Motown halftime show could have been just as popular as the Stones, and I was among many asking why it didn’t happen that way.
And, incidentally, NewMexiKen, like you I was railing pretty hard against Aretha’s making the national anthem her own personal showcase. The song was practically unrecognizable.
New Orleans has a great musical heritage, but it’s current stable (even pre-Katrina) is not great. After all, two of the three acts performing the national anthem were from New Orleans — Aaron Neville and Dr. John. And if that’s the best they can do…