worse show in 14 years…enough said!

best halftime show.

FANTASTIC SHOW, Bruce is a legend!

at superbowl ever. Bruce never let you down, even if 12 minutes is way to short for the Boss

Still trying to explain to my kids that he was once a great performer. Tragically, he’s now so breathless and vocally weak, they can’t see it. It’s not about the energy he brings or the great songwriter that he is, if he expects to sell records and pack stadiums, he has to still be able to perform and that was not a performance worth paying for. Gotta to say though that the E-Street band is as strong as ever.

Prince was better. Seen ‘em both live (the Boss at Giants Stadium no less) and Prince is a better live performer.

Why doesn’t that old phart give up? Mad milker certainly has it right. Springsteen stinks. If I wanted to see an old phart, I’d go to the nearest diner.

Best superbowl half-time show ever.

It figures that Rolling Stone gives a good review for this performance. It was the worst Superbowl performance I’ve seen in years. Bruce Springsteen never had any talent, but this was just unbelievable.

She performed too last night, did you forget to mention her Rolling Stone? Shocker.

Bruce Springsteen has written a handful of brilliant songs in a long and successful career. With that acknowledgment out of the way, Good God – to say that he did anything other than humiliate himself at the SB halftime show is madness. When he tried – and failed – to jump on the piano early in the set, I could hear the bones crackle and creak … and then he actually, if you were paying attention, went into a STRETCHING routine to increase flexibility, to the extent that he could, for the rest of the, er … show. Seeing old men try to act young – try to relive the glory days, so to speak – is sad and sick. Had he focused on the music, yeah, if he had focused on his music instead of a silly and embarrassing “ROCK SHOW” his performance could have been powerful, although the order of the songs was out of sync with both the crowd and the band’s clear need to warm up before they can cook. There’s something to be said for dignity when old rock stars hit the stage. Just as Jerry Lee Lewis was electrifying grinding his piano and humping the air when he was a young man – and nauseating when he turned 60 – and Mick Jagger has become a dirty old parody of himself, Springsteen, too, owes himself better … all I can say is “Grow up …”

Geezer Bruce.

Geriatric cash grab, this is not
rock this is the Geritol crawl.
I had to leave the room
I was getting naseous.
What a load of crap.

Bruce was Born to Run to
the bank and make money off
this garbage?
His glory days are behind him
tenth avenue freeze-out?
I’m sure he can pay his heating bill with the money that he is
getting from walmart.
I’m working on a Dream of
Bruce Springsteen Farewell tour

Dear Mr. “Crappy Performance:”

Why do you comment on every single Springsteen article with this same nonsense? And yes, it’s easy to tell you’re the same person because your writing style is strange and you always harp on the same points.

Some artists are above the kind of BS you’re spouting. Springsteen is one of them. You act like the man seriously offended you somehow which, considering how genuine and heart-filled an artist he is, actually makes me question your mental health.

Worst halftime show ever. The guy couldn’t sing if his life depended on it.

Best performance ever.

To those of you saying his vocals were weak, get some ears. That man can sing as well as he ever did, it’s just a style that is rough on the voice. It’s meant to be shouted. Check out his vocals on the new record- brilliant. Check out his vocals on 70s live cuts- very similar to last night…still brilliant.

That was a REAL rock and roll showman at work. Tight band, great songs, great lyrics, over the top frontman performance from Bruce…can’t as for anything else.

It always strikes me funny how many people are eager to hate on artists like Springsteen and U2 at every possible chance. These guys are above being called “shit.” You may not like them, but they are fantastic songwriters and performers. There must be a certain type of person who expects all musicians to play garbage and stare at their shoes while they moan about how tough it is to be 14. Whatever!

That was sad.

I’ve never been a big fan of the man, but I’ve always respected his place in the history of rock & roll. His Superbowl performance, though, was horrid. Out of breath and unable to hit the ‘high’ notes (C’mon… They aren’t even that high… “I” can even hit ‘em!).

Jennifer Hudson lip-synched. I didn’t see the show- I have no interest in football, but I’m surprised by how eager people are to attack Bruce. Must’ve never been fans in the first place. It was just a performance, and it was just a game.

I’m a Bruce fan and I was disappointed, and a little embarassed. Sub-par song selection, too many people on stage and a 59-year-old sliding into a camera. yeeesshh. Next year, how ’bout we bring back the montage production…?

Go back in your hole Troll.
Last time I checked this was
the United States of America.
and I have a right to my opinion
even if it upsets your fan worship
of the artist’s who is above this b.s. he is above working class as well as the blue collar fan-base that buy his music as well
but in bank account only other that he is a lowlife supporting companies with unfair labor practice?
He does offend me with his
Phony working man blue collar
image.
when he is a rich elitist and
could care less .
Unless your buying a cd at walmart
or purchasing a ticket to one of his crappy live performances.
I don’t care if you wear earplugs
and rose colored glasses and keep
shelling out hard earned money on this crap ,
I don’t have a problem if on this blog you state that Bruces performance on the super bowl was
as great as the Beatles on Ed Sullivan even though I know it’s
not even close.
To each is own.
Now why don’t you get to work on
buying up as much Bruce related
merchandise to keep him as rich
as possible.
Giving Bruce Springsteen a life of riches that his blind hardworking blue collar Fanbase will never know.

P.s.
thanks for liking my writing style it is not boring like yours.
and I liked your line.Some artists are above the kind of BS you’re spouting. The maid and the Butler are Keeping up the Mansion while Bruce Goes on tour to take money from soon to be laid off Blue collar
Fanbase

Five Star? Rolling Stone Review ? are you kidding me, if this the best that the music industry has to offer. Then music is Dead

This is a riot. Everyone seems to either love this performance or hate it. Is there anyone like me, Bruce fan or no, who thought it was just OK?

“Bruce Springsteen never had any talent, but this was just unbelievable.” — john b

That’s a pretty tastless comment. Where do you get off suggesting the guy has no talent? Ever try listening to any of his first few albums…if that’s not tallent and vision then I’m interested in finding what you think is?

I want you to put your chicken fingers down and turn the television all the way up.
So I kept snacking hope I didn’t
offend Bruce.

the parts of the half-time show i saw were ok. not a big of of Springsteen, but it was alright, not as good as Tom Petty last year or Prince the year before, but better than the Rolling Stones halftime show in ‘05. Wipeout on ABC was a better use of my halftime though

Wow. Bruce Souledoutsteen,
I mean, Springsteen.

Hey, hey, have some respect for Bruce, if his not your cup of tea don’t need to insult him, the man is a legend, even better his one of the few legends that are true artists.

For sure he din’t top Prince performance but it was better then everyone else.

He should have done his big hit “Achy Breaky Heart” and had his daughter Hanna Montana come out and help him

Great show, high energy, great songs, terrific performance. Playing in a huge stadium like that is never easy, and I have seen some horrible sounding concerts at Super Bowl halftimes. Bruce nailed it, and brought an enthusiasm to the performance that was contagious.

I would love to see some of the fat, lazy computer hackers who have commented so far perform even 30 seconds of one of those songs with as much energy as Bruce did…any takers?

For those complaining that he’s too old, who would you rather have seen up there? Fall Out Boy? 50 Cent? The Jonas Brothers? Give me a break!! A classic American event like the Super Bowl needs to have credible, legendary artists who have broad appeal, not flash-in-the-pan sucks that suck.

Hammy theatrics and cheap bullshit. Bruce sucks. i turned this asshole off when he was touted as ‘the new Dylan’ over thirty years ago.
Egocentric gymnastics and an over crowded stage. And of course, pandering with a ‘gospel choir’. Jesus Christ, gimme a fuckin’ break.

I thought it was a bit much. Springsteen kept overgrinning, as if to say “Please like me.” The fake crowd in front of the stage, all waving their hands in the air, made the show phony and packaged, similar to public appearances by a certain former president. Prince was better – he didn’t need crowd approval, and he made it into real art. I didn’t watch the game, and tuned in by chance.

Missing: Walmart banner. Fuck off, Boss.

Yeah I think haters need to shut up, just look around, there’s a reason why the Superbowl hired 80’s acts for the halftime (Petty, Prince, Springteen, U2) because this generation (and the 90’s generation) can’t come up with a arena act that can deliver not just for a specific group of people but for the entire universe.

Only musicians as Prince or Bruce Springteen can perform with dignity and spectacle at the same time.

Sorry, but this was “meh” at best. Springsteen’s voice was gone, and my first listen of “Working on a Dream” left me underwhelmed. And how about the referee coming out and throwing a flag? Come on. Love ya, Bruce, but U2, Prince, Tom Petty were way better.

That was a good one .
I was hoping he would play
Achy Breaky Heart” or at least
Boot scootin boogie

Is true, Prince performance was really honest and spontaneous, he was so comfortable with the wholed number that it was contagious, I mean I never like him but i got a vibe of raw and pure emotion, he even dare to kick his mic out while we were on extasy with the Purple Rain chorus, amazing, almost orgasmic.

I can understand why Bruce or Petty were a bit disapointment, cause they performance were really calculated, theye really wanned to deliver, but Springteen wasn’t that bad, his like 60 years old, give him credit.

That would be a little more
enjoyable.
than an out of breath fogie singing
about glory days.
Or maybe the pussycat dolls
easier on the eyes

It’s the best half-time show ever!!!!!!!!!!!!

Ii’s Boss time, baby!!!!!

Glory Days!!!!!

A lot of people are gonna talk trash about him for openly and actively campaigning for Obama in ‘08, after all this country has always been divided between liberals and conservatives.
Springsteen has a specific audience demographics that might not be as diverse as Prince but the Boss is undisputedly an American icon. That was a classic Bruce Springsteen performance last night.

At last a great half time show. Thanks Bruce. You Still rules.
Working on a dream is an Amazing Album.

Prince is so overrated.

Great halftime show. Best show ever for anyone with taste.

Im a pretty big fan of the boss but i was very disappointed. A little too much on the cheezy side bruce, and the song selection was sub par. I would have liked to see a lil more musical performance then hey look at me. I mean you couldnt hear any of the guitars, turn up the music, turn down the bullshit theatrics.

I’m not a huge Bruce fan but I respect what he does. It was a great, energetic show. What have all the ‘critics’ on this forum done with their lives anyway …
bunch of wankers

and Should stop posting.
This was NO DOUBT the best
Super Bowl half-time show period
If you don’t get it too bad.

Bruce Springsteen will be fine
and will continue to perform
legendary concerts all over the
world whether you like it or not. So why waste your time
when Bruce Springsteen is a rock
legend and in The Rock Hall of fame.
So it really doesn’t matter what you think anyway .
and yesterday I went to Walmart
and bought a Springsteen cd
So What.
It is my choice and I’ll shop
wherever I want.
And I’ll continue to be a
Springsteen fan Because he is
a true artist who makes excellent music.
The end

i mean come on, a fuckin referee came out to signal it was “boss time”, it was so bad it embarrassed me

Let me amend it slightly and say the BAND itself sounded great.

i love how “turn down the bullshit theatrics” was mentioned. yeah. ITS A FUCKING SUPERBOWL HALFTIME SHOW YOU FUCKING MORON!! yeah i guess he should have brought the party down for atlantic city. hes working the crowd of 70,000 people and a television audience of millions. i mean for christ sake the man killed it. if you need your serious performances turn off the superbowl. go watch some john cale bootleg. and whens the last time the guitars were playing over everything else on any springsteen song for the most part? its always been the wall of sound.

I like how “haters go away” told people to stop posting but he couldnt stop posting hate about U2 on their RS news story. What a hypocrite. I will say he found spellcheck though so at least he got something right. Bruce Show=3 out of 5 stars.

people that have bad things should keep them to themselves. what if it was you out there? and if you dont like it you can state your negative opinion but why do you have to be so rude? i enjoyed the show. ITS BOSS TIME

people that have bad things should keep them to themselves. what if it was you out there? and if you dont like it you can state your negative opinion but why do you have to be so rude? i enjoyed the show. ITS BOSS TIME

It was a very nice show. Maybe its just me but i would enjoy a guns n roses half time show. It would pump everyone up

I think the set was really good especially the opener. It was cool that he put his new song in there to promote the album. I give it 5 stars and best halftime show I have seen.

that set straight kicked ass………best halftime show in years…..the modern day troubadour

naw mean I got paid spittin dat real about being Boss Time……..that is how he and I do…….WORD!

BEST HALFTIMES EVER. Goes like this:

1-Prince.
Hendrix meets James Brown, really emotional and bad ass finale! Still the best live act of his (and this?) generation. Prince deliver the only halftime show that satisfied little kids, teens and adults.

2-Bruce Springteen.
Energy, charisma and good old american entertaintment, that means that the old chinese dude in Okinawa din’t put his Kokuto Goma Shoga fingers down.

3-U2.
They took advantage of the wholed 9/11 thing, I wonder if they haven got a diferent date, Will be that moving?

4-Tom Petty.
A nice surprise, I mean he wasn’t know for been a good live act, so I guess the simplicity help him.

5-Paul McCarthy.
One song: “Hey Jude”. You never go wrong with a Beatles clasic.

I thought it was ok. However, the windmill guitar moves did not ring true and the ‘referee’ coming out and throwing the flag was cheezy.

Hey who was the blond in the band..thanks!

My vote: Springsteen’s half-time show rocked!

Bruce is a fetid pile of hype. He can’t sing, he can’t play and his songs suck. The band is marginal at best. When is commercial music going to let people who know how to play take the stage? Why is it all based on hype? Do people have any idea what real music is anymore? His songs are all over blown anthem numbers that go nowhere. His band chuggs along like a bad air conditioner. And the pirate guy only adds to the nausea. It is a sad comment on music today to see how this idiot is labeled as ‘popular.’ Total BS

You’re a Bush supporter, I assume.

LMAO
what a bloated BUFFOON!!!

Thank you Boss for another very entertaining evening! You look GREAT!

is a post from a rolling stone
magazine employee

he was okay but what cracked me up was the 40 somethings in the pit. looked just awkward.

Anybody want to chime in on predictions for next year’s act?

Considering which ones have already been used, who’s left that can bring it enough to be halftime-worthy AND realistically have a chance to be picked? Van Halen? Chili Peppers?

“a bloated buffoon”…that’s funny. needless to say the sell out was really overrated. the super bowl is a break for the players and millions who watch it…it’s not entertainment or in bruces case a launch pad for his album and tour.$$$ the only really heart felt halftime show that had “real” emotion other than a halftime show was U2.
retire old man…it’s getting too funny.

Nope, wrong again. Just tired of your hypocrisy.

by the way…that’s unusual…rolling stone like bruces show (sarcasm out loud)

Bruuuuuce is GOD.

Half-time show was horrendous

Next year just run commercials

I am not a big fan of Bruce Springsteen but his performance was very energetic and cheered my house up. I do not share the negative reviews. Why are you so hard on him? he is rock star after all and he rocked the house!

Who would you rather have up there? Acts that embarrass themselves and the organizers? Prince, Bruce, and U2 are icons of music for any generation. What U2 did during the 911 tragedy at the Super Bowl was something no one else could have done with the sincerity they demonstrated. Prince was pure raw talent and creativity and the “Boss”, he just rocks. Period! You can’t go wrong with dependable acts like this. I totally agree they are world class dependable performances for this type of venue. And they do it well.

Springsteen’s Superbowl performance was a joke and a complete embarrassment.

Just terrible.

my prediction for next year (given the classic rock motif of the last few years): AC/DC

All of the people complaining, probably don’t have the stamina to do what he did in 12 minutes.

Thought it was great. All haters need to relax… The boss rules!

Best show in years. I watched it at my house with my two middle school aged sons and with a dozen or so of their friends. Several of them had never heard of Springsteen before. They were blown away by his performance!! That’s a commentary on much that passes for music these days.

I have no idea what the haters on here were watching; the set I saw was terrific… and I’m not even that big of a Bruce fan! He was charismatic as hell, sang with conviction and looked like he was having the time of his life. The band rocked in their E Street way (which IS very different from other bands) – I’d say this was a VERY good SB halftime show, right up there with Prince.

Anonymous, I just saw AC/DC last week – while they were impressive, I’m not sure that Brian Johnson will have any voice left by 2010.

I agree guy below.. GnR halftime show would rock harder than anything else..

..Prince was AMAZING.

Bruce was awesome for that whole “bruce thing” that he does.. he did the whole emo-numetal-guitar swing haha. Good energy, but not really my thing.. yea good for 40-60 year olds, they were LOVING IT. Def good performance though, bruce got his.
In need of some new talent, and not a “talent montage”.

cheesy cheeseballs

best halftime show since the stones

to all those who hated it, im yet to really hear a reason why from someone that knows what their talking about…

next years prediction: green day (theyll be supporting a new album and theyre a household name as has been the pattern the last few years)

Thank goodness the game was exciting.. Even Bruce’s lame performance couldn’t dampen that. The only thing he brought to the show was his name, and you know, that may have some clout, but in the final analysis, the rubber didn’t meet the road. It was all glitz & flash, but low on musicianship. Great outfit on the sax player, but other than that? BOOORING. Now that Prince performance, on the other hand; THAT was entertainment.

The Boss and band sounded good, although they were playing along with pre-recorded tracks. Bruce’s voice was live, and probably some of the instruments, but no microphones on or near Clemons’ saxophone, Max’s cymbals and the horn section made me think they were playing along with tracks. Also, you can’t throw up a stage and speakers and tune and mix in four or five minutes, during a commerical, at halftime, and then come back and have a concert mix that sounds that good.
But the band is talented. I’m no huge fan – I prefer someone like Lindsey Buckingham – but Bruce and his band are talented.
And it was better to see Bruce Sunday than some candy ear, flavor-of-the-month-type striptease act geared at 12-year-old iPod owners.

If you want to half time show that will rock, the NFL needs Pearl Jam to tear it up.

Who is on the cover of Rolling Stone this month?
Oh Yeah It’s Bruce
Who just released a new cd?
Oh Yeah It’s Bruce
Who received a Five Star Rating
from Rolling Stone on a mediocre release at best?
Oh Yeah It’s Bruce
Who is playing the half-time show at the Super Bowl?
Oh Yeah It’s Bruce

Do You think possibly Rolling Stone Magazine could be just another place for pop
groups to promote their latest offering?
Absolutely.

So why don’t we all just help the economy by just giving in.
And buy anything these out of touch Super rich Phony artists
release.

La Bamba was awesome!!!!

“All of the people complaining, probably don’t have the stamina to do what he did in 12 minutes.”

For the record, it’s just ONE GUY complaining, over and over, using different names with each post. He has some serious issues.

I think Mellencamp will be the guy next year, and he’ll be great.

Prince was the gold standard and made expectations too high, but Bruce’s act was just stupid. He’s a good enough performer to just get up with the band and knock out some songs without the cheesy stuff. Bruce isn’t some no talent cheeseball like Jimmy Buffet who thinks he’s Mr. party parrot-head but you’d have never known it if you watched halftime. Bruce will have his own stupid theme restaurants and microwave shrimp meals before know it.

SLAYER!

as usual, bruce showed why HE’s the BOSS! kickass show! cant wait till Bonnaroo!!

Wow, its pretty wild to hear so many people bashing Springsteen. Its one thing to say you don’t like his music. But to assert that he has no talent is either a deliberate attempt at trolling or a myopic view of what musical talent is.

Springsteen has a career that has spanned almost 40 years. He has sold over 120 million records. He has won 18 Grammy Awards, two Golden Globes, and an Acadmey Award.

His albums usually receive good critical reviews and his concerts routinely sell out. His last tour grossed over $235 million. Most reviews of his last tour were greatly positive.

Now, he may not make the type of music you like to listen to, but to claim he has no talent? Your either a troll, deliberately obtuse, or staggeringly conceited to believe your opinion trumps that of music critics, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame voters, the Grammy voters, the Golden Globe voters, the Academy Award voters and the millions of fans who continue to pack concert arenas whenever Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band tour.

I was bored to death but then he’s never been my cup of tea.

The cheesy “BOSS TIME!” stuff was just cringe worthy.

At least he didn’t play Born in the USA.

first of all Jimmy Buffet is great and I am glad they have finally dropped the boy band and pop queen performances but Springsteens halftime show just rocked the music was great and his stage show was great its cool to see Jimmy Buffet and Bruce and U2 and Paul McCartney and Prince and Tom Petty and such playing but dont bash Bruce he was great.

first of all Jimmy Buffet is great and I am glad they have finally dropped the boy band and pop queen performances but Springsteens halftime show just rocked the music was great and his stage show was great its cool to see Jimmy Buffet and Bruce and U2 and Paul McCartney and Prince and Tom Petty and such playing but dont bash Bruce he was great.

“danzbassman | 2/2/2009, 3:06 pm EST

Wow, its pretty wild to hear so many people bashing Springsteen.”

It’s ONE PERSON… who keeps posting over and over, using a different made up name. I assure you.

Danzbassman, it’s ignorant, jealous trolling on their part. Replace the word “Springsteen” with the word “U2″ in your post and you’ll get how I feel about U2. Both legends and both for good reason. I’m so glad they both are gonna rock the music world this year.

Springsteen was great! The crotch-slide into the camera was priceless

jerry lee lewis, bruce, mick, i’d rather hang out with them and watch em play all night than hang out with you know-it all critics!

It was a fine halftime show. Fun fluff — he did what he could do in 12 minutes and, frankly, football is the purpose of the bowl. The commercials and halftime are just distractions. I’m just tired of RollingStone molesting the man all over this blog.

Vinnie T i agree with you, RS has been kissing artists ass, instead of putting pressure on them to keep releasing great material, or motivate artists to improve.

Jennifer Hudson is an absolute gift to the world of music–I could watch her national anthem over & over (as well as some of the plays)not a huge football or Springsteen fan but appreciate the struggles of Pittsburgh & New Jersey–Frankie Goes to Hollywood gave me a better appreciation of Born to Run’s artistry–now there’s a halftime show: Welcome to the Pleasuredome!

are you people nuts about g-n-r that idiot axel would either not show up or throw a fit and hold up the show for hours

Bruce is old and his performance sucked. You just can’t top the Janet Jackson and Justin Timberlake “malfunction”

All the haters that hate Springsteen, Prince and U2 hate them only because they aren’t old enough to remember when these guys were great–(still great, in my opinion!) They just hate the fact that they weren’t even born yet when these guys were making great music!
All these little boys and girls know is Britney Spears, Christina Aguilera and Justin Timberlake (CRAP!! Every single one of them!!) when they were watching them on the Mickey Mouse Club. And all they know are the simple rhythyms of rap and hip-hop. The complexities of rock music are way over their tiny little teeny-bopper heads!! So, don’t hate what you don’t understand!! PEACE!!

I just am wondering who are these Springsteen fans? I don’t know anybody who follows him…which doesn’t add up given how much clout he has.

All we could figure is he is a good corporate rock image portraying values of our present era, america, and complimenting those of the football demographic.

Didn’t like it at all. Sad to see another successful rocker stray towards campy, broadway, caberet type performace. It just wasn’t for me…and my picks would probably not fit a broad enough sample given the business goals of this enterprise.

To end, with the words of Mr. Blonde, “I don’t have a boss”.

It makes me sad to read so many negative posts about Bruce. I thought he was wonderful and couldn’t believe how fast those 12 minutes went. His smiles were sincere; his energy in earnest. This is what he has been doing for 35 years. “Working On A Dream” has received excellent reviews and “The Rising” is as good any any album Bruce has ever done. I saw the band on the last tour and thought their show and Bruce’s vocals were even better than when I saw them in the 80’s. I think the problem here is that either you like Bruce or you don’t.
I attended the Super Bowl 2 years ago when Prince performed at the halftime show and thought he was great too. I remember people criticizing him as well.

Who Down in Whoville, you are a total douche!

Great performance!

Bruce wasn’t bad but why does he pretend he’s playing a guitar?
I like Bruce more than Prince but prefer Prince’s music.
To me the best half-time show was the Rolling Stones.

Performance was weak. The youth knows he was good at some point in time, but definitely not now We’re not ignorant. He didn’t back up that five star review he just got thats for sure.

Who down in whoville, go suck a nut. maybe you would have prefered a halftime show of justin timberlake, nelly and kid rock, ending with janet jackson’s nasty titty drooping out. remember that one? or maybe aerosmith singing walk this way with nsync and britney spears.

i’m glad the superbowl now has americana rock n roll artists performing at halftime.

IT’ BOSSSSSSSS TIME

brucie’s fans are mostly these old rolling stone fans that are close to retirement.

I’m 26 and I’d rather see older rockers play the Super Bowl then some of the pretenders they had in the past. Bruce vocally didn’t sound as good as he could’ve, but the performance all in all was pretty good. I just got done reading somewhere else that last year’s halftime show with Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers was a disapointment — what? They were great, and they put on a great rock n’ roll show.

Bottom line: the audience had a good time, so WTF?!! Why ya gotta hate?!!

Boatman, you say you like Bruce more than Prince, but you like Prince’s music better. That’s a head scratcher. What in the fucking world are you talking about? Their personalities?

Absolutely horrendous performance. These old men should have stayed in bed. A disgusting sight to see him puking out this garbage, esp the song from his recent and, without doubt, worst albumn to date. To date. Who knows what he’s going to puke out next?! Go to bed Bruce!

Absolutely horrendous performance. These old men should have stayed in bed. A disgusting sight to see him puking out this garbage, esp the song from his recent and, without doubt, worst albumn to date. To date. Who knows what he’s going to puke out next?! Go to bed Brucey boy!

Springsteen ramming his crotch into the camera is my new avatar..

Best show in 14 years. ENOUGH SAID.

Most hillarious halftime ever. And not in a good way. It was so bad that I fell out the chair laughing.

He brought the house down!!!

All the high schoolers in the room have no respect for rockers like The Boss and the Stones. They are apart of the musical culture and recognizing the arc of their journey is something to behold. I was born in the 80’s so I’m no old man but it would do these kids some good to listen to the music that inspired all their bubble gum heroes today.

Pretty sure all the negative posts are coming from idiot jonas brothers fans who will start dissing them when they aren’t “fashionable” anymore, get a grip and listen to some real music idiots

To those that don’t get it:

It’s entertainment. The referee part was an attempt at humor like some of the idiotic commercials.

It’s the visual performance and rocking set list that counts. How can you go wrong with “Tenth Avenue Freeze-Out” and “Born to Run?”

Some of his moves looked like it hurt

springsteen was so cheesy. the slide into the camera? the line about going to disney land? gimme a break. the stones, petty, and u2 were all better than this. and how can you play a new song at the super bowl?! most people had no idea what that song was. terrible… i cast my vote for ac/dc or metallica next year!

I’m a big Bruce fan. But I admit the half time show was pretty lame. I cannot believe they had the nerve to play a new song. Yeah, “Born To Run” and “Glory Days” were good (minus the cheesy lyric changes, and referee). But come on, replace the new song with “Born in the USA”.

For next year’s SuperBowl, there is only one icon left who can cover all demographics and deliver the goods:
Homer Simpson

Hey, let’s be honest. I’m a huge Bruce fan, and I’ve seen him 8 times over the last 25 years (yeah, I’m an old Rolling Stone guy). And no one works harder than the Boss. But last night was a little weird. Springsteen’s voice was off, he was suckin wind, and he’s dangerously close to becoming a characture of himself. Not his best work. But I’ll bet $100M in new records over the next 2 weeks sales that the old rockin fart just found some new young listeners!

Springsteen’s performance was an eye-opener to me: it convinced me that this kind of music should be composed and presented by younger artists who are more dynamic and more in sync with the times.
I’m 64 years old, and he bored ME!

What the NFL needs is some Pearl Jam to rip it up

My Vote is for Bruce. Amazing. You may not like him cause he’s older or something stupid like that, But he’s still the Boss.

Not a die hard Bruce fan or anything, but he simply ROCKED last night! Almost as good as the game itself! Tenth Ave. Freeze Out-YES!!!

It was great! The set list was perfect! The Boss is still the boss! Nuff said.

I was just thinking that Pearl Jam would be an awesome superbowl act!

FANTASTIC performance. alot of nonfans dont understand Bruce’s humor. his shticks are all classic Bruce but probably only enjoyed by people from a less cynical age. The Boss is back.

Okay, so I really enjoy the music of Bruce Springsteen and enjoyed the half time show performance. But seriously, all this guy has to do is wipe his ass or pick his nose and not only does he make the cover but Rolling Stone seems to get a huge boner as well.

As a 15 year old and a fan for around five months, I really liked it. It was cheesy, which was fun.

Best halftime show ever!
Loved every minute of it,
Bruce rules!
My friends who watched it with me loved it too!
We are in our twenties btw…

A really Horrible Performance please stop him from hurting himself. How Many More washed up performers are left. Crappy really Crappy

Im about to turn 22 and I love springsteen, and loved the halftime show. I dont think anyone is too old as long as they can still perform, in football and in music, and he put on a good show. I will admit that he doesnt have a young audience anymore, and that he may be past his prime, but he is still one of the best performers in the country and I wasnt disappointed. I dont know how all my other friends who are busy listening to Good Charlotte or something thought about it though…

He delivered and kicked Bono’s ass…..great/killer performance…
I told you Springsteen and Axl will rule 2009!!!!

Tomm Petty rocked harder last year. Deal with it.

The Boss is at his best….next year Axl Rose will welcome you to the fuckin jungle baby!!!!

i’m 11 and i thought it sucked…i don’t like to say words like that, but since everyone has stupid comments about an old fart trying to sell out a hard buck, well i just thought you should know that.

“i’m going to disneyland”
enough said.
5 stars for working on a dream = ridiculous ass-kissing.
the fact of the matter is that bruce is a showman and although the show was not for my tastes, he undoubtedly put on an entertaining one.
I am young enough to have experienced the britneys and the Rhiannas everyday but if you ask me i would take a bob dylan or arcade fire over bruce anyday. but thats ok because you will not see true art displayed during a halftime show.

real cheesy 2 c sum as old as him act all young n hip sliding across the floor n throw the guitar around, fuck they shud get slash 2 do dat. hell get a gnr reunion n throw them on stage, im sure they will anihilate the stadium.

Bill Carlisle’s
“To old to cut the mustard” will be on his next album.

My Vote is for Prince. Amazing. He’s still is the best live artist of his generation..

Yeah i agree, Bruce Springteen was so cheesy with all those outdated jokes, I think he forgot to check his calendar, it’s 2009. But he is a legend, so show some respect.

Prince still have the title of best halftime ever.

Hey, hey, hey people stop trashing Bruce!!

I think Prince did a better job then him but please have respect for The Boss, the man is a genius and a great performer and he did a great job.

Viva Springteen!

I think some emos hate that only 80’s acts can deliver for this gig.

There’s a reason Bruce Springteen, U2, Tom Petty and Prince still rocking, because this generation live music suck!

You’ll see who’s at #1 next week.

Hello,
I am six and a half years old and I think that Bruce Sprinsteen is the greatest musician to ever perform a live show. Super Bowl or not. Here’s hoping he will do it again next year!

If you didn’t like the Boss’s performance last night, I want to see YOUR performance. It was fucking flawless.

I don’t quite trust the judgment of anybody who thought that show sucked. Bruce gave it all he had and owned the place for the whole twelve minutes.

Tom Petty was great, and Prince put on a good show, but Springsteen brought the house down. If you don’t think so, you probably already kenw you wouldn’t like it before it started.

Good for what it was. His music’s pretty bland and the only song I like by him is Rosalita but he played well and really sold it. I even found myself singing along to Glory Days at the end of it. Good job, bruce

Bruce opening with 10th Ave Freezeout would be like the Stones opening with Monkey Man – it would never happen! Behold the balls of the Boss (even though Glory Days was a bit predictable, but hey, its the freaking super bowl halftime).
Great performance – Bruce is still rocking and still writing better than anyone in music today.

yeah prince or anyone was better than springsten…but U2 was definetly better than them all.

yeah prince or anyone was better than springsten…but U2 was definetly better than them all.

hi i’m 3 and although i haven’t got a mind for myself yet…my parents have brainwashed me into listening to this guy. I can’t wait til i grow up and listen to some real music.

nothing compares to Paul Mccartneys a while bakc

nothing compares to Paul Mccartneys a while back

Hi im 2 years old, why not have someone relevant like Miley or any of the Jonas bros. singing? or someone like Pearl Jam who havent released something decent in 15 years? or guy that plays guitar and knows rock like Lil’Wayne (prom queen!!) I mean, too have a man that is a staple of American culture plays some of the greatest songs of all time at the biggest sporting event in America? pllllzzz give me the kids awards..

Very entertaining game, with the Cards almost pulling off a furious 4th quarter comeback. Bruce was good, and showed a sense of humor by having a ref walk out onstage and throw a flag for delay of game.Bruce didn`t have to rely on generating some kind of controversy during his set, like the other showboating types in past Super Bowls have resorted to.Can you imagine what Madonna would`ve done during a halftime show like that?.

Me and Slash will be there next year for the reunion.

To T-Rev:
Yes, I was referring to personalities. Bruce seems a genuine good guy. I like him. Whereas Prince is probably a jerk. One of those religious people who judge everybody according to their delusions. Unfortunately I like his music. I wish I liked Bruce’s music more. But I give Bruce credit for playing a new song at the Superbowl. Most performers wouldn’t dare.

bruce suggested Coldplay as next year’s halftime show. bite me!

tenth avenue freeze out- i did not expect that. can’t say that i was dissapointed by the pick though.

next year- i’m thinking Aerosmith. no doubt they’ll have something to promote. i’d love to see AC-DC or Metallica or even Radiohead. imagine that- the most eccentric band in recent memory playing for rowdy fatass football fans. sounds fun.

good luck with the reunion axl. i’m looking forward to it.

also you can’t give just twelve minutes to a guy with a catalog as deep as bruce’s. i know there’s a game but cmon!

I can vaguely remember the past SB halftime shows

I had to go back and watch a few from youtube

U2, The Rolling Stones, Prince and even Tom Petty from last year

I do recall Paul McCartney’s of all those past ones and thought that was excellent

As I recall, weren’t past halftime performances longer than 12 Min?

Anyway Bruce did what he was hired to do, entertain the viewers. I saw Bruce back in 1979 and have been a long time fan but even I had to go back and check out a few of his old classic tracks, like Spirit In The Night, I’m A Rocker, Bad Lands, Thunder Road, Bobby Jean, She’s the One, Jungleland

Even I forgot how good he is

Those that didn’t enjoy the halftime show are entiltled to their opinion

And there were a couple of teenie booper moments during the show Sunday

However it’s nice the halftime show brought back a more innocent time to people

Most American’s is too violent, angry and bitter

Bruce captured the moment without making any political, religious or personal statements

And I doubt if 98% of you folks could sling a guitar around like Bruce did yesterday that act alone takes talent and practice too

Bruce rocked, But I think Tom Petty had a better halftime set last year.

Boatman, back to you -
You say that Prince is probably a jerk and someone who would judge people based on their spiritual views. But…aren’t YOU judging when you suggest such things?
Let me make two things clear-
1)I am an atheist.
2)I like Prince more than Bruce.
3)I believe that #’s 1&2 can be true without having conflicts about who makes better music.
I just think you sound a bit conflicted/confused.

Boatman, back to you -
You say that Prince is probably a jerk and someone who would judge people based on their spiritual views. But…aren’t YOU judging when you suggest such things?
Let me make two things clear-
1)I am an atheist.
2)I like Prince more than Bruce.
3)I believe that #’s 1&2 can be true without having conflicts about who makes better music.
I just think you sound a bit conflicted/confused.

staple of american culture..please people you sound like morons…he’s just a singer(just one that can’t sing)
i think the referee was not part of the act but a real media personnel trying to get this guy off the stage. thank god for that ref.

TOM PETTY’S HALTIME WAS BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOORING!!!

Bruce Springsteen and Prince were the shit at halftime.

I didn’t realize a 12 min halftime show could alleviate debt, fear and heartbreak. Forget Obama we’ve shoulda let Bruce be president.

It is not the critic who counts: not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles or where the doer of deeds could have done better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood, who strives valiantly, who errs and comes up short again and again, because there is no effort without error or shortcoming, but who knows the great enthusiasms, the great devotions, who spends himself for a worthy cause; who, at the best, knows, in the end, the triumph of high achievement, and who, at the worst, if he fails, at least he fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who knew neither victory nor defeat.

I’m horny!

Shut your
Pie holes,
Rock haters.
I got
Nine to one
Gambling odds
Springsteen
Takes a dump and
Exceeds the sum of your
Epically sad
Nutsack lives.

Shut your
Pie holes,
Rock haters.
I got
Nine to one
Gambling odds
Springsteen
Takes a dump and
Exceeds the sum of your
Epically sad
Nutsack lives.

i’m horny too.

Come on! I like Bruce but he had no voice at all last night. The band played well though.

Some people in the room with me ruined the show for me, arguing about how old and irrelevant he is. No one said this about Aerosmith who were much more of both, at least from appearences. I still think if you’re playing the Superbowl, unless your new song is already a giant hit, dont play it. I know you want to plug it, but buy a commercial then. Too much money for you? plug it after playing. Don’t waste two minutes playing a song most of us don’t know yet. (By the way, that song is really good and the album sounds awfully good as well from what I have heard online.) I do not hold anything against him for playing Born to Run so early. I do wonder about the Glory Days choice. This is a song that in restrospect feels like 1984 to someone like myself (being 21) and thats a good thing, its datedness works to its benefit on teh radio. But why would you sing a song basically about people (including a high school baseball player) who have nothing left in their adulthood to be happy about then the days of their youth? This is not only out of place in this economical environment, where if teh song is sucessful to its lyrical aim, will transport people to better times, presumabally the Regean Years, but it also takes you out of the moment and reflect on the fact this is the highlight of the players life, playing in the Superbowl, which doesnt make you appreciate the game more, but almost start feeling bad for them because it’s only going to be a few years before they’ll be on the NFL network recounting their “glory days”. Couldnt they have just ended with Rosalita?

and oh, Tom Petty’s set was just kind of boring last year. I own most of his stuff on vinyl and have plenty on my iPod, but he just looked tired and old last year. Very boring. Now Prince, that was a good half time show. He made me actually like that particular Foo Fighter song, which despite my love of their other albums I had previously hated. On the otherhand their version of Darling Nikki almost made me hate that song.

i object to the tone of these letters.. i haven’t been born yet and i loved springsteen..

Bruce’s set was BULLshit, crap… What was wrong with his voice? And why are there two elderly ladies playing guitar with him? And isn’t he too old to slide on his knees? And what’s with the set list? 4 of his shittiest songs ever — and I like the guy… Wrong, wrong, wrong. And if you liked it, you were high.

Uncredible performence The Best Ever easyly.

Why the hell did everyone start stating their age on here? Especially the little kids who sound like grown-ups. Yes, okay, we know you have an age, now just say what you need to say and be done with it.

Here’s what it comes down to: Bruce Springsteen rocks but to the fault of media outlets like Rolling Stone people get annoyed with the torrid love affair. Sort of like the mass media with Barack Obama. “This just in! Barack Obama had to throw out bad milk this morning and his approval rating when up 1000%!”

Man, gotta love the internet. It provides an outlet for all the misanthropes that sit around waiting for something to happen they know everyone is going to like, so they can get off on posting about how terrible it was.

Taste is certainly subjective; I’m a Bruce fan and am psyched to have gotten tickets to see him on this upcoming tour, though I don’t put his songwriting on the level of Dylan or Neil Young. Still, there’s a reason people like him are invited to play events like this: he BRINGS it live just like he BROUGHT it last night. You see, people that have been doing something the longest are usually the best at it.

Maybe next year they’ll have the Jonas Brothers, and everyone that thinks any musician over 30 is washed up will enjoy the show a lot more.

Bruce did the very best he could and it was great! Clarence Clements on Sax was excellent!
Anyone posting that can’t play/write/sing … you’re much like our new President: unproven and words without actions …

I am a huge Bruce fan. Been one for about 25 years. Overall I thought the show was great. I think Bruce’s theatrics were perfect for the occasion. I thought his voice sounded fine (not the best I’ve heard him but still strong) and I don’t know where anyone saw that he was out of breath or not hitting the notes. I thought it was a great show. However, even I have to admit that the choir was too predictable and the referee was too hokey. The new record is fair. There are some cool songs on there and some of the production is cool. But overall the production steals away the musculature of this band. There’s something about O’brien’s production with Bruce that for me just isn’t working the way it should. I thought the Rising was great and like much of Magic, this new record is fair. (so far). However, the Wrestler is an amazing song. (and of course, O’brien had nothing to do with the production on that song.)

Anway, great show Bruce.

No need to trash Prince, I ain’t no Bruce Springteen fan but I respected his ideas and his achivement in music history, he did a great show and I’m proud to be from the 80’s generation, were the radio share the beautifull program versatility of such great artists as Springteen or Prince, something that this generation will never have.

bruce suuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuxxx

As i live in India, we dont get to watch super bowl here,but, i have seen the half time shows on Youtube.While U2,Prince,tom petty were all good, i must say that in my opinion, Bruce was easily the best.
While i understand that appreciation of art is purely subjective, just one’s individual opinion,i do find it strange when people question Springsteen’s live performance.Whether you like his music or not, there is no denying that no performer puts as much into his live shows as he does.Even his rare corny acts are endearing and do not seem artificial and contrived. Dont get me wrong, i like U2, but i always feel that Bono tries very hard to say all the right things, be friends with the right people… and as an outsider(non american), i thought his gesture of having the US flag stitched to his jacket during their half time performance extremely corny,fake…

I wonder how Springsteen feels about the million people in Kentucky without power and forced from their homes. And the 42 who have died. These numbers dwarf those of Katrina.

Wonder why the Boss and the Press don’t seem to care about a President who doesn’t care about white people.

Stamina! Talent! And a love that is palatable. Tha man is a gift.

I thought he and the band were great . I liked the set list. Thought he would do Born to Run and a new song. Glory Days and 10th Ave were a nice surprise ! I am very depressed I couldn’t get tix to his Philly shows yesterday . I have seen him many times and he is my favorite by far. Add another Philly show Bruce !

Where was “Born in the USA”! At this time that the country is in we needed it! That was a big mistake Bruce!

Apprently obama forbide him to play “Born in the USA” BECAUSE it could offend some people.

I have since deleted all mp3s thrown his cds out the window on the freeway and will never listen to him again. He needs to get out of rock if his got a president choosing the setlist

Ben, obviously you’re letting your politics show thru…and that’s okay because Bruce has always wrote or stood against corporate america and the Bush/Regan type of government. If you understood what Born in the USA was written about/for, you’ll actually understand why it was left out.

and you should stop listening to artists if they stand strong for something you don’t.

This thread is indicative of Rolling Stone’s demographics and now explains why we see Brittany Spears on the cover and lots of articles about hip-hop and teen stars. At least, the magazine attempts to please all age groups and doesn’t cater to one audience. There is also profound ignorance about “The Boss”, ranging from not knowing that Patti Scialfa plays guitar in the band to a guy who thinks Obama instructed Bruce to leave out “Born In The USA” from his set and subsequently destroyed all his Bruce music. “The Boss” only had 12 minutes!! Did you think he was going to play his entire repertoire? The fact that the media can elicit these kinds of reactions is frightening to me.
The bottom line is that I tried non-stop for 2 hours yesterday to get tickets and the Bruce concert sold out.

It was a fun performance that delivered what it intended to. Couldn’t ask for more. I thought it was great. My God, people, why all the bickering?? It’s just rock’n'roll!! Get over it and dance a little…you’ll be happier!

I thought Bruce killed it. I wasn’t sure about it at first, but the guy still knows how to rock at 59. I thought it was 100 times better than last year with Tom Petty, but that’s just me.

hey rolling stone,
what’s the point of this comment board? is anything going to be learned from it? any good going to come from it? anyone’s opinion going to be changed from it?

Bruce rocked! I’m sure some of the disappointed posters here were mad that the half time show wasn’t done by Ashley Simpson, Nickelback, or Fall Out Boy. Thank God for us that we got a real rock n roller from the old school to show em how it’s done.

All of you stupid morons that wanted Bruce to play ”Born in the USA” can’t even understand the lyrics and what it stands for…

Eat your heart out Bono because The Boss kicked your ass…

Hope next year Guns N’ Roses plays…Axl Rose will rule it…

No doubt, Bruce put his all into that performance… The thing is, his “all” has greatly diminished over the years.

I’ve never been much of a Bruce fan, but I don’t hate the guy, either. Let’s be realistic, though… That wasn’t much of a show.

This is just one guy’s opinion, of course, but Prince blew everyone away when it was his show. Do you not remember ‘Purple Rain’ IN A FREAKIN’ DOWN POUR? The giant symbol stage that he OWNED? He tore it up on his guitar… That was a performance.

Bruce struggled to catch his breath and wasn’t able to hit any note above an A. That’s sad. The band sounded great, but he just doesn’t have ‘it’ anymore. If you’re a fan, you won’t see this… And, really, it doesn’t matter. If you liked the show, then good for you.

Next year, however, I would like to see somebody who is still in the game. No, not Britney or Justin or whoever the flavor of the week is… And DEFINITELY not Aerosmith again!

AC/DC? Metallica? No… They don’t have broad enough appeal.

There is no way they can please everyone with whomever they choose. I just hope it rocks… And sounds good.

Most of these comments are ridiculous. Why is it that everyone is a critic and knows everything? Ever think of shutting these stupid things down???

worst half time show. man,i miss the days when it was fun.

I’ve seen Bruce 21 times and have mixed feelings about the Superbowl show. I don’t think he has “lost it” but it was too busy, too much running around, too much trying to pack it all in, too many fireworks and too many people crowding the stage. If he had just stood still (like Tom Petty and Prince) on a big spacious stage it would have been better.

Bruce Springsteen is the king of rock right now!. Long live the king.

Forget the boring Mccartney, forget the overrated Prince, forget Tom who?…

The best half time show ever… is the “E street band”!

LEGEND

I would put it maybe 4th or 5th or so as far as halftime performances go. I like that that means something now. Since Janet Jackson they have just about all been solid. Before they were sooo bad.

I think Prince and U2 and Petty were a bit better, but thats just one man’s opinion. The referee was a bit cheezy and the choir robes a bit much, but yeah Bruce still rocks. Its gonna be hard to stay at this high level for much longer I would think.

Bruce was amazing! He put a lot of passion into the preformence and had a great time. It was 12 mintues people, what more do you people want? And to say he has no talent? unbelievable and totally untrue.

BEST HALFTIMES EVER:

1-Prince.

2-Bruce Springteen.

3-U2.

4-Steve wonder.

5-Paul McCarthy.

WORST HALFTIMES EVER:

1-Michael Jackson.
No one can beat him for the most calculated, unspontaneous, childish halftime ever. Even worse he lip synced!!

2-Janet Jackson.
Like brother, like sister. Even worse: Justin Timbarlake.

3-Aerosmith, Britney Spears and Nsyc.
What were Steven Tyler thinking?

4-Rolling Stones.
One of the best bands ever in their worst form.

5-New Kids on the Block.
Oh yeah they did it!

Bruce was underwhelming. His spontaneity was so rehearsed that it seemed cliched.

Next year, I want “The Real Deal”: THE WHO!!!

We want THE WHO!!!

Pearl Jam’s gotta play eventually. They’re one of the only bands of the past 20 years that rock hard AND have mass appeal.

Fuck Guns n’ Roses.

The Who?!?!? Last time I looked there were only 2 of them alive and I can’t even remember the last time they put out an album. Get real – I used to love them back in the day but now they’re nothing but corporate shills and the ultimate sellouts. Think they sit around hoping another CSI show comes down the pipe so they can whore out another song.

For all you Bruce-haters, let’s just say you just don’t get him.

Back to T-Rev:
You’re right. I’m judging Prince for his beliefs. But more for his intolerance. Other believers like Curtis Mayfield don’t bother me. But then again Bono bothers me even though he doesn’t seem intolerant. So I don’t know. I guess I am conflicted and confused as you suggest.

Who gives a shit about the half time show? The powers that be have the Super Bowl virtually impossible to watch. Watch the damn game.

Corporate shills?! The ultimate sellouts?! You obviously know nothing about The Who, DG1. And they had an album come out in 2006. Do your research.

And how are they sell-outs over bands like Aerosmith, the Rolling Stones, or Metallica? When you have your own fucking Guitar Hero? Please. Guitar Hero is about as corporate as you get. If you’re gonna make a rhythm go with Harmonix, like The Beatles.

To the moron: Why does not liking Bruce’s cheese-a-thon mean someone is a “Bush supporter”? Is that really all you’ve got? I’ve dug Bruce for 20 years, but that was a mess. And I think Bush has been an awful president! Can you get your tiny mind around the fact that a non-Bush supporter didn’t like the BOSS!!

You’re not the boss of me!

What was the point of “10th Avenue Freeze-Out,” a song that, while admittedly great, most casual listeners wouldn’t know. So lame to cram four songs into 12 minutes, cutting verses from each. Why not just BTR, WOAD and GD in their entirety? Oh, nuts, that wouldn’t have left enough time for the CHEESE! If you’re going to cross the line into MedlyLand, at least do it right, like Prince did, with nice segues and interesting covers. What an old goon! I can’t imagine he sold any more tickets to the tour – he probably lost buyers.

And that five-star review for the new record? What a joke! Magic was way better, and I don’t think it got five. Kind of like when they gave the Stones’ A Bigger Bang five stars a few years ago, even though it only had a few good songs.

DGI: How many original E Street band members are there? Not that many.

The 2009 Who can still blow down the freakin’ walls!

And Who drummer Zak Starkey is a wonder to behold – as close to the spirit of Moon as anyone breathing…and with good reason: Keith Moon gave Zak his first drum kit when Zak was four years old and was his personal drum teacher until his death in 1979. Zak learned his lessons exceedingly well!

Steve, the E Street Band that was put together in 1975 for Born To Run is still entirely together with the exception of Dan Federici who passed away last year. So, they still are more together than the 2009 Who lineup. And seriously, have you heard Roger Daltrey sing lately? He’s just terrible now, can’t hit ANY notes. I agree Bruce sounded hoarse and out of breath at the Super Bowl, but Daltrey nowadays is 10 times worse. That would be a TERRIBLE halftime show.

First, who really cares? The Superbowl is about the game not the halftime show – awesome game this year by the way for those who checked-out before the 4th quarter.

Second, while we’re on the subject Tom Petty was much better last year. Better songs, better set, tighter band, just better! I even think Prince did a better job a couple of years ago.

I like the Boss but this performance seamed way too corporate and contived. That’s probably the difference between Bruce and Petty. TP doesn’t bother with any corporate BS and recently it seems the Boss has bought into it.

V, I agree that Petty was much better. No-nonsense, and at least he played full versions of songs. But to say, “TP doesn’t bother with any corporate BS and recently it seems the Boss has bought into it” may be true, there’s one HUGE reason why Springsteen is better: at his shows, the setlists are much more varied, and on a given night, you might hear just about anything from his deep catalog, including rare unreleased tracks. Petty, on the other hand, plays a very rigid setlist, and hardly changes it from tour to tour. Springsteen will play most of a new album, while Petty – when he’s even touring for a new album, which is rare – might play a handful of songs from it. He just loves to pander to Greatest Hits loving crowds, whereas Springsteen challenges his audience, and they respect and appreciate him for it.

Bottom line, Petty is much cooler, and probably tighter given that they play the same songs, but Springsteen is much more willing to take chances, even if he his a goony ham a lot of the time.

the most entertaining part was when he slid into the camera sack-first

Actually, Petty cut out verses from his songs too.

For those who thought it was “corporate,” which parts? As a Bruce fan, all of the stuff he did was pretty representative of what his shows are like. What part was “corporate”?

Did Bruce Deliver the goods? YES

Like Tom Petty, he cut out the 2nd verse to his songs in order to fit 4 songs into 13min 20 seconds.

The band is the same band from 1975 (missing Danny)

The LaBomba Horns were the only additional musicians (Nils, Patty and Suzie are part of the touring band as well as the new keyboard player)

Yes, Bruce is a goofball on stage, glad that he let that side of himself out on TV.

He did EXACTLY what he said he would do, bring the last 12 minutes of his 3.5+ hour show to the masses. This is the sweaty, slightly hoarse, all-out party of his show that makes him a legend.

I was 1st in line to get floor seats for the tour monday morning (will be my 10th show since 1984)

i thought he was good!

Shitsteen sucked, sucks, and always will suck

Oh I forgot the referee stunt was silly and very unBruce like. Don’t waste your money on his new CD. He’s gone from Born to Run to being in love with the Queen of the Supermarket. How pathetic.

Most over-rated ‘performer’ in the history of performers.

The Purple Rain extravaganza was the best of the best, Don’t ge me worng, the Boss was great but Prince show was amazing!

Prince just came and did kick ***s homages to Dylan, Queen, Turner and even the Foo’s, but torn the house down with Purple Rain Hendrix like guitar.

Best halftime ever period.

Best cooment so far:

Yeah I think haters need to shut up, just look around, there’s a reason why the Superbowl hired 80’s acts for the halftime (Petty, Prince, Springteen, U2) because this generation (and the 90’s generation) can’t come up with a arena act that can deliver not just for a specific group of people but for the entire universe.

I think its completely ridiculous and ignorant for some of you to say he has no talent. I’ve never freaking seen anyone more talented! You’re worried about there being too many old washed up people for the halftime show? Thats what music is. That is real music. McCartney, Tom Petty. the Stones, Prince, they’re real music. What were you wanting- to get a little T-Pain in on the show? Or maybe T.I.

I agree, Bruce Springteen and Prince were the best of the bunch, irnocly they are the best muscicians of the 80’s.

Bruce…..Rocking Show…but. You have got some set of rocks to Stiff us out of “Born in The USA!” I was Pissed.

CHRIS: I beg to differ in your WHO appraisal, having seen them at least a dozen times since 1994, including in November in LA and boy, can they still bring it!

Go to YouTube and compare Daltry’s vocals in concert in 1969, the 70s and now and you’ll find that there’s not a lot of difference, except for a couple high notes.

Springsteen was indeed a worthy Super Bowl choice. On Sunday he just didn’t do it for me.

TOP SB HALFTIMES ALLTIME

1. U2
(big gap here)
2. Prince
3. couple of the duo shows
4. at this point there’s not many worth listing…and as you can see there is no springsten.

that show sucked…still thought U2 was the best…when’s the Who going on…bring back the Doors!

it was lame…but not for walmart

Trying to cram his 3 hour show into 12 min. was an impossible task anyway, but he could have done better. Lousy song choice. Could have done without the choir (the Inauguration is over Bruce, you’ve already done that gig). Glory Days? about washed up baseball players? Made no sense to play it at the SB. Bruce was showing his age, but aren’t we all (except Prince, who still looks like he did in 1984). Still luv you anyway Bruce, your shows are still the best.

I liked Paul McCartney’s set better,but Bruce was great! He puts everything he has into his performances and what more can we ask? And he’s a genius song-writer!

And PS – I think his breathlessness was due to the fact that he only had 12 minutes to blow everyone away and was trying too hard. When he has two hours, he warms up nicely and increases the volume more slowly.

Poor set list. U2 still the best.

It was a good setlist, but ESPN reported the music was pre-recorded.

Next year? A TALKING HEADS Super Bowl.

I enjoy some of his music, but 1/2 time show was shit- he only played to promote his new CD (RS*****)-yea right-get real. Bring on the DAN.

U2 juts took advantage of 9/11, in another time and another date their performance will be so boring.

Bruce was great like always, but the best of the best still is Prince.

Totally agree with you, after Prince halftime no one remember the other performances, only the Boss can top it.

Bruce. Retire. Please. There were a lot of kids watching at my house, and they all were saying “Who is that old dude?” At least the NFL is starting to run out of safe-as-milk geezers to entertain the inebriated masses.

The 80’s are so back, Prince, Petty, Springteen, U2, thank god for the superbowl.

Let’s bring next year Depeche Mode.

Best halftimes ever:

1-Prince.

2-U2

3-Bruc e

4-Tom Petty

5-Sting and Gwen Stefani

why does there have to be just one “best ever” half-time show? There’s room for more than one fantastic performance among the best of the best rockers! Rather than rush thru 4 songs, I would have liked to see him do just three…I was wishing for badlands and rosalita to go along with Born to Run….look at the demos for the superbowl, a good deal of game watchers are older than the coveted 18-49 age group advertisers want and are the ones who came of age when those songs come out. Rock on Bruce!

I just realized what a cretin I’ve become with technology. I’m sitting here reading the words of all these people who have completely forgotten how to have fun. A halftime show is for you to grab a fresh beer, turn toward the TV, and be entertained. Did that really fail to entertain you? It was fun, loose, and Bruce and the band sounded great. Mellow out haters.

Next year: AC/DC or Axl

Next superbowl Van Halen!!

Dreadful performance by the old man and his crew of cancer-stick cronies. It’s embarrassing for us as a nation! This was broadcast all over the world! Think of it! These guys should puke out their songs in some small town bar where the audience is too old and drunk to care. If this is best the Superbowl can up with, I say forget about the half-time show and just fill it up with commercials -they are less annoying than SuckSteen.

I was saddened by the portentously dull excuse for rock music in Bruce’s performance, particularly when he screamed “I’m goin’ to Disneyland!” I half expected him to pass out cans of Pepsi to the band and sing “Baby we were born to gulp.” Either that or pulling a wal-mart cashier out of the crowd and up onto the stage while playing Dancing in the Dark!

Prince’s performance is still tops and the benchmark for a good halftime show. I agree with Aaron regarding how well U2 would have been hadn’t been for 9/11. Prince’s guitar work was so blistering that the “purple” rain couldn’t cool it off.

1. Prince
2. Paul McCartney (”Live And Let Die”)
3. Bruce Springsteen
4. Tom Petty
5. U2 (because it’s U2; and although I never
saw their halftime set, it had to be better
than The Stones’
And for those who think Prince is overrated,
where are your albums on “Rolling Stone’s 500 Greatest Albums Of All Time” list? If Prince is overrated, then all music is overrated since he’s a musician’s musician. Peace.

Any one complaining about the half time show most likely has never attended a Bruce show.

In 12 mins, he created the feel, energy and optimism that omnipresent at all Bruce shows. And for those of you who are calling Bruce old, I only hope you can do that slide, jump that jump and create that much energy when you are 59.

That is the message—age doesn’t stop you.

bobgeorge you rule, best comment so far.

Prince is the man!

Luis, I have to agree with you, best comment so far is…

…Luis | 2/3/2009, 4:57 pm EST

Best cooment so far:

“Yeah I think haters need to shut up, just look around, there’s a reason why the Superbowl hired 80’s acts for the halftime (Petty, Prince, Springteen, U2) because this generation (and the 90’s generation) can’t come up with a arena act that can deliver not just for a specific group of people but for the entire universe.”

On a side note, just for shits and gigles, we should post our age just to see how this plays out. I’m 37yo.

You people should all just get over yourselves. Bruce Springsteen is a talented musician, a great showman, and a genuine and ethical man who is capable of uniting people in celebration. I would be pleased to know that you were also capable of such feats and stood in a position to judge.

Springsteen is nothing more than a Vegas version of his former self. He’s his own terrible cover band of himself. Why isn’t Bruce headlining in Vegas with Cher? He could take his choir and light show with him. Springsteen’s albums have all sucked since Nebraska. He fired the E Street band and “evolved” after Born in the USA but now he needs them to revive his standing with RollingStone and the masses. So we get the fake banter on stage between Springsteen and Van Zandt to make the sheeple who are stuffing Doritos down their mouths to light up with delightment. “The Boss” is as corrupt as the countless CEOs running their companies into the ground. And just like those CEOs, Springsteen is responsible for the collapse of his own former greatness.

Also, all your latest records suck. That’s right. They ALL suck ASS! I’m talking about The Rising, Magic, and Workin’ on a Dream. All 5 star records according to RollingStone. Amazing! I’m here to tell you that the three records put together do not justify 5 stars. Yes, I’m not you and I’m not RollingStone but I do have an opinion and countless others on this board agree with me. So yes your blind followers will tell me how I’m jealous of your success and riches and call me an idiot because they are scared to admit your a washed up sellout. BUT there are millions of voices that agree you are a whore that has been letting down fans for years. So everyone…. TELL BRUCE HE SUCKS!!! RISE UP!!! COME ON RISE UP!!!! (Enter Choir)

I can understand people not liking Springsteen’s music (personally I love it), but to criticise a man who clearly did everything he could to get the crowd to have fun is a little sad. Makes you wonder what, if anything, these people enjoy about life.

if there is anything as lame as the super bowl….it’s the half time show. stupidest shit ever….it has nothing to do with good music.

Right on, bobgeorge!

Anyone saying he’s not relevant anymore are out of their minds-

4 #1 albums this decade.

I was reading these comments, and after about 10 or so, I felt sad, and stopped reading. The losers who didn’t like the show should just go back to their exciting lives working at 7-11. Next year maybe the can get a great band like coldplay and we can all fall asleep from the boredom. Anyone that didn’t enjoy Bruce, probably doesn’t enjoy anything in life. Just sad.

Hey SuckSteen,

I’m just curious as to who you would like to have seen at halftime this year?

It sounds like there’s no joy in your life. I’m sorry for you.

I haven’t heard the new record, but I love “The Rising” and enjoyed the “Magic” songs from last year’s tour. This board is NOT indicative of the world’s view on Bruce. It is a tiny sampling of Rolling Stone’s online reader base. The only way to appease the malcontents and some of the abusive contributors to this board is for either The Red Hot Chili Peppers, Nickelback or Rascal Flatts to perform at next year’s halftime show. These are all good, contemporary bands and I am looking forward to the onslaught of negative comments about any one of them.

Shut the f**k up.. Jesus Christ it was a great performance by Bruce, but the more important thing it was an even better game & thats what it’s about… Best half time I’ve seen since I’ve been watching football

I don’t even like Bruce Springsteen… but I LOVED THIS YEAR’S HALF TIME SHOW!!! Why? Because of Bruce Springsteen and his great band. He offered such great entertainment, that I would love to see more of his concerts.

there is no need to insult coldplay to make a point about Bruce. They’re are both great acts!

What would all these haters have on the SuperBowl Halftime? The Jonas Brothers? Miley Cyrus? EEWW!! Gimme Bruce and all the 80s rockers anyday!

He is an overthetop fraud. But at least he has a soul patch.

Was Bruce good?? No, no, and no. Rockers his age need to hang it up. He never was anygood. Sure he had a few hits but were they really good. The man couldn’t carry a tune in a boxcar.

Was Bruce good?? No, no, and no. Rockers his age need to hang it up. He never was anygood. Sure he had a few hits but were they really good. The man couldn’t carry a tune in a boxcar.

So…I guess you all heard that only Bruce’s vocals were live? The rest was prerecorded?

He and his band tried to hard to be “over the top” and give a spectacular show. Bored me so I went and starting ironing clothes!

I think the guy deserves a little credit here, i mean come on he sang pretty good for an old guy and he was definately into the permormance. That’s what he is, a performer. Couldn’t have been better.

I love how someone (namely myself), can post a rather benign opinion, only to get insulted by other reviewers. Ok so whatever, but here is who I would hope to see:
Metallica
Guns N Roses
Tool
Pearl Jam
Foo Fighters
Van Halen
Dave Matthews
Queensryche
(hell, even Yanni)

go ahead, throw your insults again, but you will only be talking to yourself this time.

And, for what it’s worth, I’d love to see the Football industry just fade away…none of those people deserve the kind of money they make for playing a game.

It was as good as any other Super Bowl Half-Time Show I’ve seen going all the way back to SB III….it sucked.

The best ever.

Bruce is the Boss because he can still do this sort of thing – and do it well. I loved it, though obviously I have only a smattering of supporters there….

Anyway, when does Billy Joel do a Super Bowl? I’m thinking that it’s his time.

I’m not a huge fan, but watching this in a bar in Hoboken, NJ was about as good as it gets. Everyone was riveted and singing along.

Good energy, but “10th Ave,” and the new tune were bad song choices. Could’ve been better.

HE Stinks , If it wasn’t for his band forget it , anyone can scream in a mic……

You Know The Thing That Gets Me About The Guys That Say The Boss Sucked Balls Last Sunday Is If It Was Anybody Else, Anybody Else That Played Way He Played Last Sunday They Would Be Next Big Thing. Same Thing Goes For His Recent Record. If It Was Anybody Else, Anybody Else That Put Out Record Like He Just Put Out They Would Be Called Next Big Thing ! The Thing Is Nobody Is Doing What He’s Doing So Alot People Can’t Appreciate It Or Comprehend It When All They Have To Compare It To Is Their Arcade Fire, The Liars, Clap Your Hands And Say Yeah, Rapture, Duke Spirt Cds ! So Yeah With That Thought Still Suck In My Head, To All Those Guys That Saw Bruce Springsteen Superbowl Halftime Show And Said It Suck, Yeah It Did Suck ! Why ? Cos Arcade Fire Sucks ! The Liars Suck ! Clap Your Hands And Say Yeah Suck ! Rapture Suck ! Duke Spirit Suck ! Ragging On Bruce Springsteen Won’t Make These Bands Any Cooler Dude …

Walked out on Bruce in Baton Rouge, Louisiana years ago. But I enjoyed his halftime show a lot. Why all the comments about all the extras. It’s just show buisness. If you don’t like what is going on, don’t put down the chicken fingers or change the channel.

Lots of juveniles here. Too much worry about corporate music. All music is put out by record companies: corporations. Goal is to sell records. You don’t sell you become Billy Nobody. Billy didn’t sell so ya never heard of him. Get it?

Bruce sells records and makes money
as does every fameous musician. Good for Bruce; for Prince, Tom Petty, etc. They all have TALENT.
They were offered the Super Bowl gig and they took it. They have brains. They are smart.

Why were they chosen? They know/knew how to make pop records. Songs with melodies that people can hum with relatable words. Today’s act don’t have their talents or skills. They think wearing a tatoo is making good music. Right. So they make instantly disaposable & forgetable muzak. They could learn a think or two from Bruce. Entertainment.

So Bruce is 60. He’s better than today’s acts. Name a great one. right. Ain’t none. Who cares if jumped on a piano and clowned around. He was working at his profession. He was trying to entertain the audience. Give some joy. His set list was off. 10 Ave Freeze Out, no–people didn’t know; Born 2 Run, good; Working On a Dream, good (i like choir); Glory Days, good. Needed, Born In USA. At end of day music is connection with melody and musical hooks. Born In USA is killer. Children…grow up

Lots of juveniles here. Too much worry about corporate music. All music is put out by record companies: corporations. Goal is to sell records. You don’t sell you become Billy Nobody. Billy didn’t sell so ya never heard of him. Get it?

Bruce sells records and makes money
as does every fameous musician. Good for Bruce; for Prince, Tom Petty, etc. They all have TALENT.
They were offered the Super Bowl gig and they took it. They have brains. They are smart.

Why were they chosen? They know/knew how to make pop records. Songs with melodies that people can hum with relatable words. Today’s act don’t have their talents or skills. They think wearing a tatoo is making good music. Right. So they make instantly disaposable & forgetable muzak. They could learn a think or two from Bruce. Entertainment.

So Bruce is 60. He’s better than today’s acts. Name a great one. right. Ain’t none. Who cares if jumped on a piano and clowned around. He was working at his profession. He was trying to entertain the audience. Give some joy. His set list was off. 10 Ave Freeze Out, no–people didn’t know; Born 2 Run, good; Working On a Dream, good (i like choir); Glory Days, good. Needed, Born In USA. At end of day music is connection with melody and musical hooks. Born In USA is killer. Children…grow up

Halftime should rock out. Some bands I think would work…

AC/DC
VAN HALEN
THE KILLERS

Those are just a few off the top of my head. I thought Bruce was good but not great.

Some Republicains here!

Being a big Boss fan I deal with haters all the time. Nothing new there. Kind of funny how they will take time out of their day to find this article and post negative stuff about it. I agree the set list was not the best and I would have rather seen:

Radio Nowhere
The Rising
Cover Me
Born in the USA

There would be many different opinions on this show after a set list like that, you can bet your bottom dollar!

Bruce has nothing to prove, still sells out every single show he plays in matters of minutes and HANDS DOWN ROCKS!! “It’s Boss Time!”

Check billboard’s top 25 tours from 2008. The Boss doesn’t sell out every show. Far from it. I’ve worked in the radio biz a long time. Many artists and promoters like to say a show is sold out when they know it isn’t- It sounds good.

The problem is the ticket brokers. They snatch SO many seats and then jack the prices up so high that sometimes hundreds of tickets go to waste. The brokers don’t lose money because the tix they do sell are so over the face value its ok for dozens of others to go unsold. And at the last minute guess where those unsold tix go? Back to their original source – TICKETBASTARD or wherever. THAT is why you can so often get tix to a supposedly “sold out” show the morning of the performance.

Check the billboard chart – Bruce sold out only 46 of 82 shows From late 2007 thru late 2008. And yes, if single seats are the only ones available, billboard counts that as a sellout.

Alternate opinions are OK.

Dissent is allowed.

No Fanboys exclusives, yet.

Negative is the Other Side.

Sheesh!

sprigsteen is overrated and old…never had a singers voice and his writing made to much of…most of his songs are turgid and unlistenable…that’s hard for his fans to see.

Well you are just a pocketful of sunshine. I enjoyed Springsteen, but now I’m depressed for having done so.

Well I can’t remember ever seeing an empty seat at any Bruce show that I went too and I think many others would agree regardless of what your technical definition of “sellout” is. There is a banner up high in the rafters in the Wachovia Center and Spectrum here in Philly and I think the number of consecutive sellouts is in the upper 40’s now. Might want to add 2 more to that since both of the April shows sold out in minutes.

Like I said before, Bruce doesn’t have anything to prove to you haters. I wonder what you guys even listen too.

Is anyone alive out there?

Hey. Act as if it were impossible to fail.
I am from Jamaica and now teach English, give please true I wrote the following sentence: “Up to the minute news coverage of national, regional and international news and miconazole available over the counter and terbinafine lamisil cream.”

THX :p, Huy.

Sorry. I feel very strongly that change is good because it stirs up the system.
I am from Bangladesh and also am speaking English, tell me right I wrote the following sentence: “By – tj nuttall, aj german, sl holden, hopkinson, na mcewan.”

Thanks . Hamlin.