The most memorable Super Bowl halftime performances of all time: Photos
From Broadway legends like Carol Channing to pop icons like Janet Jackson and Beyoncé, these performers defined their eras — and had millions talking.
Updated
8 min read
Janet Jackson performs at the Super Bowl XXXVIII halftime show in 2004 in Houston. (Kevin Mazur/WireImage via Getty Images)
Before the Super Bowl halftime show became the spectacle it is today, it was often a simple mix of marching bands and variety acts. Over time, it evolved into one of the most-watched musical events in the country, delivering unforgettable moments, cultural milestones and no shortage of controversy.
From Carol Channing and Bob Hope to Michael Jackson, Madonna, Janet Jackson and Britney Spears, each performance has captured the spirit of its era. This year, fresh off five Grammy wins — including Record of the Year and Song of the Year for "Not Like Us" — Kendrick Lamar will take the stage at Super Bowl LIX at the Caesars Superdome in New Orleans on Feb. 9, where the Kansas City Chiefs will battle the Philadelphia Eagles.
Before Lamar delivers what's sure to be a showstopping set, take a look back at some of the most memorable Super Bowl halftime performances of all time.
1967: The University of Arizona marching band
The University of Arizona marching band performs during the halftime show at Super Bowl I between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Green Bay Packers in Los Angeles. (Robert Riger/Getty Images)
1970: The New Christy Minstrels
American folk and pop group the New Christy Minstrels perform during the halftime show at Super Bowl IV in New Orleans. (Underwood Archives/Getty Images)
1972: Carol Channing
Carol Channing performs at halftime of Super Bowl VI, where the Miami Dolphins and Dallas Cowboys competed in New Orleans. (Kidwiler Collection/Diamond Images/Getty Images)
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Newsletter: The Yodel
Trusted news and daily delights, right in your inbox
See for yourself — The Yodel is the go-to source for daily news, entertainment and feel-good stories.
1973: Andy Williams
Singer Andy Williams performs at Super Bowl VII at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. (Nate Fine/Getty Images)
1977: 'It's a Small World' by Disney
The halftime show included a performance of "It's a Small World" produced by the Walt Disney Co. at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Calif. (Jerry Cooke/Sports Illustrated/Getty Images)
1980: Up With People
The musical group Up With People performs at halftime at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Calif. (Richard Mackson/Sports Illustrated/Getty Images)
1981: Mardi Gras
Mardi Gras took center stage as a themed float arrived on the field during the halftime show of the Oakland Raiders vs. Philadelphia Eagles game in New Orleans. (Heinz Kluetmeier/Sports Illustrated/Getty Images)
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
1982: Up With People
Members of the group Up With People perform once again at halftime at Super Bowl XVI at the Pontiac Silverdome in Pontiac, Mich. (George Gojkovich/Getty Images)
1984: 'Salute to Superstars of the Silver Screen' by Disney
During this halftime show, Disney produced a performance called "Salute to Superstars of the Silver Screen" at Super Bowl XVIII in Tampa. (Manny Millan/Sports Illustrated/Getty Images)
1986: Dancing performance
On Jan. 26, 1986, the halftime show brought dance performers onto the field of the Superdome in New Orleans, where the Chicago Bears defeated the New England Patriots. (Mike Powell/Getty Images)
1988: Bob Hope
Bob Hope sits in the "Hopemobile" during the 1988 San Diego Super Bowl XXII halftime show. (George Rose/Getty Images)
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
1989: Elvis Presto
Elvis impersonator Elvis Presto performs during the halftime show of Super Bowl XXIII in Miami Gardens, Fla. (Rob Brown/Getty Images)
1991: New Kids on the Block
New Kids on the Block perform during Super Bowl XXV in Tampa. (Gin Ellis/Getty Images)
1992: Gloria Estefan
Gloria Estefan, who began her career with the popular music group Miami Sound Machine, entertains the crowd during the Super Bowl XXVI halftime show in Minneapolis. (Bill Sikes/AP)
1993: Michael Jackson
Michael Jackson delivers one of his most famous performances at the Super Bowl XXVII halftime show in Pasadena, Calif. (Steve Granitz/WireImage via Getty Images)
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
1994: The Judds
Country singers Wynonna Judd and her mother, Naomi Judd, perform in Atlanta during Super Bowl XXVIII at the Georgia Dome. (George Rose/Getty Images)
1995: Tony Bennett and Patti LaBelle
Tony Bennett and Patti LaBelle entertain the crowd during halftime at Super Bowl XXIX in Miami. (Hans Deryk/AP)
1996: Diana Ross
Diana Ross delivers her trademark star quality onstage at Super Bowl XXX in Tempe, Ariz. (Al Bello/Getty Images)
1997: Jim Belushi and James Brown
Jim Belushi of the Blues Brothers and James Brown perform at Super Bowl XXXI in New Orleans. (Al Bello/Getty Images)
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
1998: A tribute to Motown
Queen Latifah, Smokey Robinson, Martha Reeves and Boyz II Men perform "A Tribute to Motown's 40th Anniversary" at Super Bowl XXXII in San Diego. (Al Pereira/Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images)
1999: Stevie Wonder and Gloria Estefan
Stevie Wonder and Gloria Estefan perform during halftime at Super Bowl XXXIII in Miami Gardens, Fla. (Al Pereira/Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images)
2000: Christina Aguilera and Enrique Iglesias
Christina Aguilera and Enrique Iglesias deliver a high-energy performance in Atlanta during Super Bowl XXXIV. (Jeff Haynes/AFP via Getty Images)
2001: Britney Spears, Aerosmith and NSync
Britney Spears, Aerosmith and NSync perform during the halftime show at Super Bowl XXXV in Tampa. (Kevin Mazur/WireImage via Getty Images)
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
2002: U2
U2 performed at Super Bowl XXXVI in New Orleans. (Kevin Mazur/WireImage via Getty Images)
2003: Gwen Stefani and Sting
Gwen Stefani and Sting sing during the Super Bowl XXXVII halftime show in San Diego. (Kevin Mazur/WireImage via Getty Images)
2004: Janet Jackson
Janet Jackson at the infamous halftime show in Houston during which she experienced a "wardrobe malfunction" alongside Justin Timberlake. (Kevin Mazur/WireImage via Getty Images)
2005: Paul McCartney
Paul McCartney performs during Super Bowl XXXIX in Jacksonville, Fla. (Frank Micelotta/Getty Images)
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
2006: The Rolling Stones
Mick Jagger, Charlie Watts and Keith Richards of the Rolling Stones perform at Super Bowl XL in Detroit. (Brian Bahr/Getty Images)
2007: Prince
Prince and his purple guitar brought the house down during Super Bowl XLI at what was then Dolphin Stadium in Miami Gardens, Fla. (Chris O'Meara/AP)
2008: Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers
Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers perform during the halftime show at Super Bowl XLII in Glendale, Ariz. (Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic via Getty Images)
2009: Bruce Springsteen
Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band rock out during the Super Bowl XLIII halftime show in Tampa. (Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
2010: The Who
The Who took the stage during the Super Bowl XLIV halftime show in Miami Gardens, Fla. (Kevin Mazur/WireImage via Getty Images)
2011: The Black Eyed Peas
Fergie, will.i.am, apl.de.ap and Taboo of the Black Eyed Peas perform at what was then Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas. (Kevin Mazur/WireImage via Getty Images)
2012: Madonna and Nicki Minaj
Madonna performs with Nicki Minaj during the Super Bowl XLVI halftime show in Indianapolis. (Al Bello/Getty Images)
2013: Beyoncé
Beyoncé performs during the Super Bowl XLVII halftime show in New Orleans. (Kevin Mazur/WireImage via Getty Images)
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
2014: Bruno Mars
Bruno Mars performs during the Super Bowl XLVIII halftime show at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J. (Rob Carr/Getty Images)
2015: Katy Perry
Katy Perry performs at what was then called University of Phoenix Stadium during the Super Bowl XLIX halftime show in Glendale, Ariz. (Kevin Mazur/WireImage via Getty Images)
2016: Beyoncé and Bruno Mars
Beyoncé and Bruno Mars perform during Super Bowl L at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif. (Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
2017: Lady Gaga
Lady Gaga descended onstage during the Super Bowl LI halftime show at NRG Stadium in Houston. (Kevin Mazur/WireImage via Getty Images)
2018: Justin Timberlake
Justin Timberlake performs during Super Bowl LII at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis. (Christopher Polk/Getty Images)
2019: Adam Levine, Big Boi and Sleepy Brown
Adam Levine of Maroon 5, Big Boi and Sleepy Brown perform during the Super Bowl LIII halftime show at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. (Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic via Getty Images)
2020: Shakira and Jennifer Lopez
Shakira and Jennifer Lopez rocked hard at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Fla. (Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic via Getty Images)
2021: The Weeknd
The Weeknd took the stage during the Super Bowl LV halftime show at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa. (Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
2022: Dr. Dre, Mary J. Blige and Snoop Dogg
Dr. Dre, Mary J. Blige and Snoop Dogg perform during the Super Bowl LVI halftime show at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, Calif. (Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
2023: Rihanna
Rihanna delivered an epic performance at the Super Bowl LVII halftime show in Glendale, Ariz. (Kevin Mazur/Getty Images)
2024: Usher
Usher took the stage at the Super Bowl LVIII halftime show at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas. (Kevin Mazur/Getty Images)