February 9, 2005
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HOORAH FOR
The Fox Network (best known for such quality programming as “My Big Fat Obnoxious Fiancé” and “When Babies Attack”) was so afraid of the moral repercussions of another wardrobe malfunction that they chose to abandon the typical Super Bowl Halftime line up of 16 year old pop-divas and “bling” encrusted rappers for much “safer” faire.
And what was the safer faire they chose?…..none other than a 62 year-old icon of Rock and Roll; the immortal, Sir Paul McCartney.
For those of you who might be disappointed that Britney didn’t bare a midriff, that P.Diddy didn’t “get his freak on”, or even that Shania Twain didn’t make us all “feel like a woman”, I would like to point out what Mr. McCartney did manage to do.
First of all, he performed live. This is unheard of at the Super Bowl. Trust me on this. I’m in the commercial sound, video, and lighting business and NO ONE performs live at the Super Bowl. Everyone lip-syncs to a track. Even if there are musicians on stage playing instruments, they are playing to a click-track and you aren’t actually hearing them. This is because there is too much at stake and they can’t risk doing it live. I sat there watching drop-jawed at the fact that he was playing every note and singing every word (it’s easy to see if you know what to look for). That requires a level of musicianship that is utterly amazing. It also require balls the size of Volkswagens.
Secondly, he was performing music that was 35 years old or older, and still so timeless that you could hear everyone in the stadium singing every word along with him. I’m curious if everyone will know all of the lyrics to “Notorious B.I.G. (remix)” 35 years from now.
Finally, he didn’t have to do elaborate choreography with a troupe of 30 dancers, or show us a little nipple to be entertaining. He simply sang and played the piano (although, I’ll have to admit, the video-cube stage and the pyrotechnics were very cool.) There aren’t that many performers who can pull that level of simplicity off.
I know I sound like an old fart. That’s because I am an old fart. I was just excited and proud to see an entertainer of my generation do such a spectacular job at the Super-Bowl. Hoorah for us old folks.
Comments (5)
I want you to know that I truly enjoy reading your posts. You make so much sense to me, maybe because I am from the old fart generation myself! lol
Hi! I came by from silvernicks site.
I couldn’t believe when I read the reviews that Paul’s show was boring. I thought he was great. I didn’t have to worry about my nine year old watching the show. I bet a lot of today’s music will not hold up like his music does.
I love McCartney. My all-time favorite Beatle.
I’m sure the average viewing audience just isn’t used to actual singing. understandable. I would like to see him break it down though. =)
Hell yea McCartney did a great job! Fox pulled out of their MTV half-time contract, and I think that’s the best decision they’ve made in years. After McCartney was done, I didn’t even watch the rest of the game.
Anyway, I just popped in from a friend’s site and noticed you have the same birthday as me (give or take a few years), and that is neat.
-matt
On Super Bowl Sunday I came into the room only to watch our Sir Paul perform his half time show. I saw him a few years ago when he was in concert here in OKC and I can tell you it was the best performance I have ever seen in my lifetime.
He performed for a solid two hours without one break when he was in town.
Seeing him again during the Super Bowl was indeed a Super Bowl worth remembering for me.
~Another old fart~