From The Vault: Michael Jackson’s Super Bowl Halftime Show

Published: Sunday 7th Feb 2016 by Joe

Another year, another Halftime show. With the latest Superbowl mid-game extravaganza just a few hours away, it’s the aptest of occasions to reflect on the undeniable blueprint of what a Halftime performance should be. As such, Michael Jackson‘s 1993 showing is this week’s From The Vault pick.

Hot on the promotional trail for his ‘Dangerous’ album, the late, great superstar was offered the slot following the lackluster ratings generated by his predecessors.

Already crowned the King, the genesis of modern Pop seized the moment to reaffirm why he was (and still is) the bar and the benchmark.

After making an explosive entrance (on a toaster….naturally), the stage titan stood still for 90 scintillating seconds before bursting into ‘Dangerous’ smash ‘Jam.’ Rousing renditions of classics ‘Billie Jean’ and ‘Black Or White’ quickly followed.

Famed for his philanthropical and humanitarian work, Jackson closed the set with a hymn-like sing-along to ‘We Are The World’ and ‘Heal The World’ – with a choir of comprised of over three thousand.

Like most things Jackson touched, this showing forever changed the scope of live performance and arguably the entertainment industry at large. Indeed, following the 1993 ratings touchdown, the Superbowl Halftime has become the definitive destination for high-octane showings by music’s biggest names.

What’s more, between interest in the big game and the buzz about Halftime, the Bowl has become a mecca of sorts for advertisers who plunge millions into commercials which run during the show. Put simply, the event has morphed from a sports phenomenon into a global, Pop cultural experience. Something Michael Jackson was instrumental in.

[Side note: Even the chronology of the setlist (cannonball opening into a mellower, ballad flavored end) has been adopted by almost every Halftime headliner that has followed – including Madonna]

With Beyonce and Bruno Mars set to return to rock the stage with Coldplay tonight, it’ll be interesting to see which way Mike’s influence will be used this time around.

Long live the King Of Pop!

Your thoughts?

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  1. ?Queen Molly? February 7, 2016

    Cute for his time… But Beyonce and Madonnas snatches me. They are the best imo

  2. 4everBrandy_Ci February 7, 2016

    Michael Jackson the KING!!!!

    • Taylor Tori Azalea February 7, 2016

      Was, we have Justin Bieber now………I know……… I feel the same too

      • King Mark111 /.\ February 7, 2016

        Kill yourself. RIGHT NOW, off the cliff you go!

  3. Nicki+Ciara-Alicia = February 7, 2016

    10+1 Years later Michael Jackson sister dragged their second name thru the mud

    • Taylor Tori Azalea February 7, 2016

      ki Tranet would never even if she had 9 lives sweety

    • Shady 81 February 7, 2016

      Shut the f*** up b****! Cause You tried it at least it’s still being talked about even if it was for the right and wrong reasons.
      #BitchJustGotClocked.

  4. #JACKIE February 7, 2016

    All hail the king! The greatest forever!

  5. Taylor Tori Azalea February 7, 2016

    kiiiiiii sea squad coming out to play above
    .
    Long live Micheal no one will take your place in the music industry
    .
    Meanwhile Nicki just snatched your crown with her 460 different body parts surgery
    .
    Slay Nic

    • ?Queen Molly? February 7, 2016

      Not 460 ?

  6. iSpeakTruthNoFallacy February 7, 2016

    So many imposters, imitators, and knock-offs, some even wear long horse hair weave, but there can only be one Michael Jackson… #LongLiveTheKing

    • ?Queen Molly? February 7, 2016

      Oh sis not when your fav changes her persona every era.. Tell us why you really madT

      • iSpeakTruthNoFallacy February 7, 2016

        Mad? My fave is comfortably sitting on the Billboard 200 and just made history as the ONLY artist in this decade to be tied with legends such as Mariah Carey and has already surpassed Elvis. Therefore, I have nothing to be mad about; just stating #Facts

    • #JACKIE February 7, 2016

      Your avi is cute. Is that’s how she looked when she saw Anti’s first week sales?

      • ?Queen Molly? February 7, 2016

        Oooops ki

      • Taylor Tori Azalea February 7, 2016

        kiii read biitch

      • iSpeakTruthNoFallacy February 7, 2016

        She’s sitting on the top of the Billboard 200 “surfboart” style and has just this week surpassed the ranks of Whitney Houston, Paul McCartney, and the freaking Rolling Stones. She’s making #Historih What about your fave? What has she done recently? Ok h*e

      • #JACKIE February 7, 2016

        Sis I want Beyonce to drop her album and tour dates tonight. The Anti dragging will be REAL!!

      • iSpeakTruthNoFallacy February 7, 2016

        Beyonce could drop an album, tour dates, or her panties and not a damn thing would change, because H I S T O R I H has been made and set in stone. Rihanna has numbers that are with legends…If you’re in a class with nothing but legends, does that make you a legend too?

      • #JACKIE February 7, 2016

        Bih shut up with your excuses. Rihanna’s smoke has finally cleared and her mirrors have broken. The public finally sees her for the untalented bombaclot coconut w**** that she is and they no longer use. The sooner you accept it, the better.✌?

      • Taylor Tori Azalea February 7, 2016

        Huntea don’t bother with that deformed Rihanna stan
        .
        Have mercy on it
        .
        I mean little girl is already on s****** watch don’t furtherly depress it
        .
        just pay it dust soon or later it will go back into hiding

      • #JACKIE February 7, 2016

        I can’t with their delusion. They’ll really be on s****** watch in the morning. Half of the navy already jumped that sinking ship kii.

      • iSpeakTruthNoFallacy February 7, 2016

        @Jackie If what are you saying is true, then why don’t the charts reflect differently? You can’t make those up or change those. There are no smoke and mirrors just ICON status. I think those smoke and mirrors you speak of disappeared for Ciara after the crunk movement faded out. Now tell me again who’s mad…

      • #JACKIE February 7, 2016

        Like FLOP FLOP FLOP kiiiii.

      • iSpeakTruthNoFallacy February 7, 2016

        @ToriRaggedyAnneBitch I don’t know who you are talking about, but I sure as damn well know it’s not me. You are the fvking troll who lives in hiding in the sewer with the rest of your damn trailer trash inbred family. Know this, Rihanna will always be more relevant than any country wonderbread broad in your name. Now tell me, what ALL TIME list are ANY of your faves on. Now kneel down and kiss the ring of the mutherfvcking captain smut.

      • shakira stan February 7, 2016

        Michael was a legend and the best stage performer ever, Beyonce can try but Micheal will never be duplicated.

      • Anastacia February 7, 2016

        Not Jackie hiding behind Beyoncé I guess she is joining Molly has a flip flopper, there goes the so called Lone Ranger?

  7. No favs, just here for the music February 7, 2016

    Superb

  8. Mariah February 7, 2016

    I remember sitting in my neighbors house watching this show.the king juts moves his head and they going off!
    King numero UNO

  9. HailBeysus February 7, 2016

    Kii #Jackie scalping bitxhes all week!!! Poor fRih almost 30 and still hasn’t been asked by the NFL or a headliner to play the Super Bowl hahahahaha

    • Datredd23 February 7, 2016

      Wasn’t Beyoncé 33 when she was asked? Rih is only 27 sit down somewhere

      • HailBeysus February 7, 2016

        Yet again another stupid K** Swallower who comments on shiiii they know nothing about! Beyonce was given the choice by the NFL at the age of 20 before DIL was released. If she wanted to perform yhe Halftime show or National anthem. She chose to fulfill a childhood dream and went with the National Anthem.

    • HailBeysus February 7, 2016

      4. Beyoncé – 2004

      In 2004, NFL organizers offered Beyoncé this choice for a Super Bowl performance in her native Houston: halftime show or national anthem. She elected to fulfill a childhood dream, and chose the anthem – a smart move. Some six months after her debut solo album Dangerously In Love dropped, the soon-to-be Queen Bey proclaimed herself a bonafide solo star. And, to be fair, Beyonce got both eventually: eight years after performing the national anthem, Bey hit the stage for a high-octane halftime show.

  10. datredd23 February 7, 2016

    work had the biggest update on radio today !

    sitting at number 2 combined on itunes chart!

    Living for black women dominating right now!

  11. King Mark111 /.\ February 7, 2016

    I remember this. Man I used to stand right in front of the Tv whenever anything MJ or Janet came on. I wonder what Rihanna will do at the SB next year. I mean she have SO many hits to pick from. They’ll have to make it a 20 min show to hit them in. lol

    • Barb B**** February 7, 2016

      Frih is performing?

      • King Mark111 /.\ February 7, 2016

        Next year. But Nicki will never be on that stage outside of a feature.

  12. shakira stan February 7, 2016

    Beyonce can never .

  13. LmfaoHoe February 7, 2016

    I would love to see Rihanna, Chris, Gaga, Usher, Britney and J Lo grace the super Bowl. They all have hits and can put on a show that’ll definitely have me on feet in the living room lol.

  14. What now February 7, 2016

    KOP!!!! He is greatness.

  15. yesterday was Aaliyah 37birthday to the good music February 8, 2016

    Nice

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