Super Bowls have become famous among non-football fans for two reasons — their commercials and halftime shows. Today, when people think of the big game’s entertainment, most imagine A-list pop stars.
24/7 Tempo rounded up all the Super Bowl halftime shows since the event was first held in 1967 to find out just how much the show has changed.
The flashy spectacles of Super Bowl halftime performances are a relatively new trend. The show started as a small production and remained so for many years. It was reserved for marching bands and dance groups.
The first celebrity performer at the show was Carol Channing, a popular Broadway actor and “Hello, Dolly!” star. She appeared in the 1970 halftime show, but even then she was not the main act — the Southern University marching band was.
After Michael Jackson headlined the 1993 event, which significantly increased the show’s ratings, the National Football League started making an effort to sign big name performers.
Almost every halftime show until 2002 was crafted around a theme, which was usually a salute to an anniversary like Hollywood turning 100 or a festival like Mardi Gras. With an exception in 2004, themes were permanently dropped after 2002, when U2 paid a tribute to the people who were killed in the terrorist attacks on Sept. 11, 2001.
Millions of people will sit down on Feb. 7 to watch Super Bowl LIV. Most will be more interested in the actual game, but many will wait to see the halftime show or the often hilarious commercials that brands unveil during the game — these are the 50 biggest Super Bowl advertisers of all time.
Click here to see who performed at every Super Bowl’s halftime show
Source: Robert Riger / Getty Images Sport via Getty Images
1967: Super Bowl I
> Performer(s): University of Arizona Band, Grambling College Band, trumpeter Al Hirt
> Theme: N/A
> Location: Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum
> Teams: Green Bay Packers 35, Kansas City Chiefs 10
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1968: Super Bowl II
> Performer(s): Grambling State University Marching Band and bands from local high schools
> Theme: N/A
> Location: Orange Bowl, Miami
> Teams: Green Bay Packers 33, Oakland Raiders 14
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Source: Patrick Smith / Getty Images
1969: Super Bowl III
> Performer(s): Florida A&M University marching band and Miami area high school bands
> Theme: America Thanks
> Location: Orange Bowl, Miami
> Teams: New York Jets 16, Baltimore Colts 7
1970: Super Bowl IV
> Performer(s): Marguerite Piazza, Doc Severinsen, Al Hirt, Lionel Hampton, Carol Channing, and Southern University Marching Band
> Theme: Tribute to Mardi Gras
> Location: Tulane Stadium, New Orleans
> Teams: Kansas City Chiefs 23, Minnesota Vikings 7
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Source: Networkgod / Wikimedia Commons / Public Domain
1971: Super Bowl V
> Performer(s): Anita Bryant, Southeast Missouri State Band
> Theme: N/A
> Location: Orange Bowl, Miami
> Teams: Baltimore Colts 16, Dallas Cowboys 13
Source: Focus On Sport / Getty Images Sport via Getty Images
1972: Super Bowl VI
> Performer(s): Ella Fitzgerald, Carol Channing, Al Hirt, U.S. Marine Corps Drill Team
> Theme: Salute to Louis Armstrong
> Location: Tulane Stadium, New Orleans
> Teams: Dallas Cowboys 24, Miami Dolphins 3
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Source: Nate Fine / Getty Images Sport via Getty Images
1973: Super Bowl VII
> Performer(s): Andy Williams, University of Michigan Band, Woody Herman
> Theme: Happiness Is
> Location: Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum
> Teams: Miami Dolphins 14, Washington Redskins 7
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1974: Super Bowl VIII
> Performer(s): University of Texas Band, Miss Texas 1973 Judy Mallett on fiddle, Westchester Wranglerettes
> Theme: A Musical America
> Location: Rice Stadium, Houston
> Teams: Miami Dolphins 24, Minnesota Vikings 7
1975: Super Bowl IX
> Performer(s): Mercer Ellington and Grambling State University Band
> Theme: Tribute to Duke Ellington
> Location: Tulane Stadium, New Orleans
> Teams: Pittsburgh Steelers 16, Minnesota Vikings 6
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1976: Super Bowl X
> Performer(s): Up With People
> Theme: Up with People200 Years and Just a Baby: A Tribute to America’s Bicentennial
> Location: Orange Bowl, Miami
> Teams: Pittsburgh Steelers 21, Dallas Cowboys 17
Source: Nate Fine / Getty Images Sport via Getty Images
1977: Super Bowl XI
> Performer(s): 205-piece Los Angeles Unified All-City Band with the Mickey Mouse Club and a crowd participation stunt
> Theme: It’s a Small World
> Location: Rose Bowl, Pasadena, California
> Teams: Oakland Raiders 32, Minnesota Vikings 14
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Source: Bettmann / Getty Images
1978: Super Bowl XII
> Performer(s): Tyler Apache Belles, Apache Band Pete Fountain, Al Hirt
> Theme: From Paris to Paris of America
> Location: Superdome, New Orleans
> Teams: Dallas Cowboys 27, Denver Broncos 10
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Source: Focus On Sport / Getty Images
1979: Super Bowl XIII
> Performer(s): Ken Hamilton and several Caribbean bands
> Theme: Salute to Caribbean
> Location: Orange Bowl, Miami
> Teams: Pittsburgh Steelers 35, Dallas Cowboys 31
Source: George Gojkovich / Getty Images
1980: Super Bowl XIV
> Performer(s): Up With People, Grambling State University Marching Band
> Theme: A Salute to the Big Band Era
> Location: Rose Bowl, Pasadena, California
> Teams: Pittsburgh Steelers 31, Los Angeles Rams 19
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Source: Focus On Sport / Getty Images Sport via Getty Images
1981: Super Bowl XV
> Performer(s): Southern University Marching Band, Helen O’Connell
> Theme: Mardi Gras Festival
> Location: Superdome, New Orleans
> Teams: Oakland Raiders 27, Philadelphia Eagles 10
1982: Super Bowl XVI
> Performer(s): Up With People
> Theme: Salute to the 1960s and Motown
> Location: Silverdome, Pontiac, Michigan
> Teams: San Francisco 49ers 26, Cincinnati Bengals 21
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Source: Robert Riger / Getty Images Sport via Getty Images
1983: Super Bowl XVII
> Performer(s): Los Angeles Super Drill Team
> Theme: KaleidoSUPERscope
> Location: Rose Bowl, Pasadena, California
> Teams: Washington Redskins 27, Miami Dolphins 17
Source: Getty Images / Getty Images
1984: Super Bowl XVIII
> Performer(s): University of Florida and Florida State University marching bands
> Theme: Salute to Superstars of Silver Screen
> Location: Tampa Stadium
> Teams: Los Angeles Raiders 38, Washington Redskins 9
Source: George Rose / Getty Images Sport via Getty Images
1985: Super Bowl XIX
> Performer(s): U.S. Air Force Band (Tops in Blue)
> Theme: World of Children’s Dreams
> Location: Stanford Stadium, Palo Alto, California
> Teams: San Francisco 49ers 38, Miami Dolphins 16
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Source: Mike Powell / Getty Images
1986: Super Bowl XX
> Performer(s): Up With People
> Theme: Beat of the Future
> Location: Superdome, New Orleans
> Teams: Chicago Bears 46, New England Patriots 10
Source: George Rose / Getty Images Sport via Getty Images
1987: Super Bowl XXI
> Performer(s): Grambling State University, George Burns, Mickey Rooney, USC Marching Bands, local high school drill teams and dancers
> Theme: Salute to Hollywood’s 100th Anniversary
> Location: Rose Bowl, Pasadena, California
> Teams: New York Giants 39, Denver Broncos 20
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1988: Super Bowl XXII
> Performer(s): Chubby Checker, The Rockettes, 88 grand pianos, San Diego State University Marching Aztecs, and USC Marching Bands
> Theme: Something Grand
> Location: Jack Murphy Stadium, San Diego
> Teams: Washington Redskins 42, Denver Broncos 10
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Source: Rob Brown / Getty Images Sport via Getty Images
1989: Super Bowl XXIII
> Performer(s): Magician Elvis Presto, South Florida-area dancers and performers
> Theme: Be Bop Bamboozled
> Location: Joe Robbie Stadium, Miami Gardens, Florida
> Teams: San Francisco 49ers 20, Cincinnati Bengals 16
Source: Getty Images / Getty Images Sport via Getty Images
1990: Super Bowl XXIV
> Performer(s): Pete Fountain, Doug Kershaw, Irma Thomas, and Nicholls State University, Southern University, USL marching bands
> Theme: Salute to New Orleans & 40th Anniversary of Peanuts
> Location: Superdome, New Orleans
> Teams: San Francisco 49ers 55, Denver Broncos 10
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Source: Gin Ellis / Getty Images Sport via Getty Images
1991: Super Bowl XXV
> Performer(s): New Kids on the Block, 2,000 local children, audience stunt
> Theme: Small World Tribute to 25 Years of the Super Bowl
> Location: Tampa Stadium
> Teams: New York Giants 20, Buffalo Bills 19
Source: Al Pereira / Michael Ochs Archives via Getty Images
1992: Super Bowl XXVI
> Performer(s): Gloria Estefan, figure skaters Brian Boitano, Dorothy Hamil, members of the 1980 US Olympic Hockey Team, and the University of Minnesota Marching Band
> Theme: Salute to 1992 Winter Olympics
> Location: Metrodome, Minneapolis
> Teams: Washington Redskins 37, Buffalo Bills 24
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Source: Rick Stewart / Getty Images Sport via Getty Images
1993: Super Bowl XXVII
> Performer(s): Michael Jackson, 3,500 local children
> Theme: Heal the World
> Location: Rose Bowl, Pasadena, California
> Teams: Dallas Cowboys 52, Buffalo Bills 17
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Source: Focus On Sport / Getty Images Sport via Getty Images
1994: Super Bowl XXVIII
> Performer(s): Clint Black, Tanya Tucker, Travis Tritt, The Judds
> Theme: Rockin’ Country Sunday
> Location: Georgia Dome, Atlanta
> Teams: Dallas Cowboys 30, Buffalo Bills 13
Source: Doug Pensinger / Getty Images Sport via Getty Images
1995: Super Bowl XXIX
> Performer(s): Tony Bennett, Patti Labelle, Indiana Jones & Marion Ravenwood, Teddy Pendergrass, Arturo Sandoval, and Miami Sound Machine
> Theme: Indiana Jones and the Temple of the Forbidden Eye
> Location: Joe Robbie Stadium, Miami Gardens, Florida
> Teams: San Francisco 49ers 49, San Diego Chargers 26
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Source: Al Bello / Getty Images Sport via Getty Images
1996: Super Bowl XXX
> Performer(s): Diana Ross
> Theme: Take Me Higher: A Celebration of 30 Years of the Super Bowl
> Location: Sun Devil Stadium, Tempe, Arizona
> Teams: Dallas Cowboys 27, Pittsburgh Steelers 17
Source: Al Bello / Getty Images Sport via Getty Images
1997: Super Bowl XXXI
> Performer(s): Dan Aykroyd, John Goodman, James Belushi (The Blues Brothers) with James Brown and ZZ Top
> Theme: Blues Brothers Bash
> Location: Superdome, New Orleans
> Teams: Green Bay Packers 35, New England Patriots 21
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Source: Jamie Squire / Getty Images Sport via Getty Images
1998: Super Bowl XXXII
> Performer(s): Boyz II Men, Smokey Robinson, Martha Reeves, Temptations, Queen Latifah, Grambling University Marching Band
> Theme: Salute to Motown’s 40th Anniversary
> Location: Qualcomm Stadium, San Diego
> Teams: Denver Broncos 31, Green Bay Packers 24
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Source: Jamie Squire / Getty Images Sport via Getty Images
1999: Super Bowl XXXIII
> Performer(s): Gloria Estefan, Stevie Wonder, Big Bad Voodoo Daddy, Savion Glover
> Theme: Celebration of Soul, Salsa and Swing
> Location: Pro Player Stadium, Miami Gardens, Florida
> Teams: Denver Broncos 34, Atlanta Falcons 19
Source: Doug Pensinger / Hulton Archive via Getty Images
2000: Super Bowl XXXIV
> Performer(s): Phil Collins, Christina Aguilera, Enrique Iglesias, Toni Braxton, a choir
> Theme: Tapestry of Nations
> Location: Georgia Dome, Atlanta
> Teams: St. Louis Rams 23, Tennessee Titans 16
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Source: Scott Gries / Hulton Archive via Getty Images
2001: Super Bowl XXXV
> Performer(s): Aerosmith, N’SYNC, Britney Spears, Mary J. Blige, Nelly
> Theme: The Kings of Rock and Pop
> Location: Raymond James Stadium, Tampa
> Teams: Baltimore Ravens 34, New York Giants 7
Source: Jed Jacobsohn / Getty Images Sport via Getty Images
2002: Super Bowl XXXVI
> Performer(s): U2
> Theme: Tribute to those killed in the September 11 attacks
> Location: Superdome, New Orleans
> Teams: New England Patriots 20, St. Louis Rams 17
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Source: Donald Miralle / Staff / Getty Images Entertainment
2003: Super Bowl XXXVII
> Performer(s): Shania Twain, No Doubt, Sting
> Theme: N/A
> Location: Qualcomm Stadium, San Diego
> Teams: Tampa Bay Buccaneers 48, Oakland Raiders 21
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Source: Donald Miralle / Getty Images Sport via Getty Images
2004: Super Bowl XXXVIII
> Performer(s): Janet Jackson, Justin Timberlake, P. Diddy, Kid Rock, Nelly, Jessica Simpson, marching bands
> Theme: Choose or Lose
> Location: Reliant Stadium, Houston
> Teams: New England Patriots 32, Carolina Panthers 29
Source: Jed Jacobsohn / Getty Images Sport via Getty Images
2005: Super Bowl XXXIX
> Performer(s): Paul McCartney
> Theme: N/A
> Location: Alltel Stadium, Jacksonville, Florida
> Teams: New England Patriots 24, Philadelphia Eagles 21
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Source: Brian Bahr / Getty Images Sport via Getty Images
2006: Super Bowl XL
> Performer(s): The Rolling Stones
> Theme: N/A
> Location: Ford Field, Detroit
> Teams: Pittsburgh Steelers 21, Seattle Seahawks 10
Source: Jonathan Daniel / Getty Images Sport via Getty Images
2007: Super Bowl XLI
> Performer(s): Prince, Florida A&M University Marching 100-person Band
> Theme: N/A
> Location: Dolphin Stadium, Miami
> Teams: Indianapolis Colts 29, Chicago Bears 17
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Source: Jim McIsaac / Getty Images Entertainment via Getty Images
2008: Super Bowl XLII
> Performer(s): Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers
> Theme: N/A
> Location: University of Phoenix Stadium, Glendale, Arizona
> Teams: New York Giants 17, New England Patriots 14
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Source: Jamie Squire / Getty Images Entertainment via Getty Images
2009: Super Bowl XLIII
> Performer(s): Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band
> Theme: N/A
> Location: Raymond James Stadium, Tampa
> Teams: Pittsburgh Steelers 27, Arizona Cardinals 23
Source: Donald Miralle / Getty Images Sport via Getty Images
2010: Super Bowl XLIV
> Performer(s): The Who
> Theme: N/A
> Location: Sun Life Stadium, Miami Gardens, Florida
> Teams: New Orleans Saints 31, Indianapolis Colts 17
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Source: Al Bello / Getty Images Sport via Getty Images
2011: Super Bowl XLV
> Performer(s): The Black Eyed Peas, Usher, Slash, local high school drill teams and dancers
> Theme: N/A
> Location: Cowboys Stadium, Irving, Texas
> Teams: Green Bay Packers 31, Pittsburgh Steelers 25
Source: Christopher Polk / Getty Images Entertainment via Getty Images
2012: Super Bowl XLVI
> Performer(s): Madonna with Nicki Minaj, M.I.A., LMFAO, CeeLo Green
> Theme: N/A
> Location: Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis
> Teams: New York Giants 21, New England Patriots 17
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Source: Ezra Shaw / Getty Images Sport via Getty Images
2013: Super Bowl XLVII
> Performer(s): Beyoncé with Destiny’s Child
> Theme: N/A
> Location: Superdome, New Orleans
> Teams: Baltimore Ravens 34, San Francisco 49ers 31
Source: Jamie Squire / Getty Images Sport via Getty Images
2014: Super Bowl XLVIII
> Performer(s): Bruno Mars, Red Hot Chili Peppers
> Theme: N/A
> Location: MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey
> Teams: Seattle Seahawks 43, Denver Broncos 8
Source: Christopher Polk / Getty Images Sport via Getty Images
2015: Super Bowl XLIX
> Performer(s): Katy Perry with Lenny Kravitz and Missy Elliott
> Theme: N/A
> Location: University of Phoenix Stadium, Glendale, Arizona
> Teams: New England Patriots 28, Seattle Seahawks 24
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Source: Ezra Shaw / Getty Images Sport via Getty Images
2016: Super Bowl 50
> Performer(s): Coldplay with Beyoncé, Bruno Mars, Mark Ronson and the University of California marching band
> Theme: N/A
> Location: Levi’s Stadium, Santa Clara, California
> Teams: Denver Broncos 24, Carolina Panthers 10
Source: Kevin C. Cox / Getty Images Sport via Getty Images
2017: Super Bowl LI
> Performer(s): Lady Gaga
> Theme: N/A
> Location: NRG Stadium, Houston
> Teams: New England Patriots 34, Atlanta Falcons 28
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Source: Kevin C. Cox / Getty Images Sport via Getty Images
2018: Super Bowl LII
> Performer(s): Justin Timberlake with the Tennessee Kids along with the University of Minnesota marching band
> Theme: N/A
> Location: U.S. Bank Stadium, Minneapolis
> Teams: Philadelphia Eagles 41, New England Patriots 33
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Source: Rob Carr / Getty Images Sport via Getty Images
2019: Super Bowl LIII
> Performer(s): Maroon 5 with Big Boi and Travis Scott
> Theme: N/A
> Location: Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta
> Teams: New England Patriots 13, Los Angeles Rams 3
Source: Focus On Sport / Contributor / Getty Images North America
2020: Super Bowl LIV
> Performer(s): Shakira and Jennifer Lopez with Bad Bunny, J Balvin, and Emme Muñiz
> Theme: N/A
> Location: Hard Rock Stadium, Miami Gardens, Florida
> Teams: Kansas City Chiefs 31, San Francisco 49ers 20
Source: Kevin Mazur / Contributor / Getty Images Entertainment
2021: Super Bowl LV
> Performer(s): The Weeknd
> Theme: N/A
> Location: Raymond James Stadium, Tampa, Florida
> Teams: Tampa Bay Buccaneers 31, Kansas City Chiefs 9
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