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This year’s Super Bowl Halftime Show caused the most controversy we have seen during a Super Bowl performance since the Justin Timberlake and Janet Jackson spectacle. While that controversy stemmed from an incident that happened during the performance, this year’s backlash was caused mostly by people over 50 who had no idea who Kendrick Lamar was. That wasn’t the only reason, though. The fact that Kendrick Lamar decided to showcase his dispute with Drake in front of the largest TV audience of the year was just another public display of juvenile behavior that, for the most part, people are tired of.
For the past 20 years, the Super Bowl Halftime Show has largely shifted toward hip-hop and rap music. Now, while my generation did not grow up on that type of music, I have no problem with it. I truly believe that every generation deserves its own music to grow up with, and for the most part, that’s what hip-hop and rap have been to people probably 40 and under. Nonetheless, I think it’s time for a change.
There was a great five-year stretch in the early 2000s where we saw bands like The Who, Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, Bruce Springsteen, and Paul McCartney perform fantastic halftime shows. Of course, people at the time criticized those performances, but you can’t please everybody. So, for next year, we’re proposing a list of bands that we would love to see bring rock and roll back to the forefront. These picks are based on rock bands that we feel have a large audience and would satisfy most of the Super Bowl’s viewers. I completely understand that younger people may not know who that Lynyrd Skynyrd or Led Zeppelin guy was, but what better way to introduce young people to some classic rock and roll?
We are serious about this list. These are bands that are still together or could possibly reunite for one more show—who knows? But these groups could actually do it, and we believe they would put on a fantastic halftime show. So, here’s a list of the bands or solo musical artists and why they should take the stage.
This list includes only musical artists who have never played the Super Bowl.
# 10 – The Doobie Brothers
The Doobie Brothers are back with a brand new album, marking the first record in over 40 years to feature Michael McDonald, Tom Johnston, and Pat Simmons on vinyl. What better way to celebrate The Doobie Brothers’ reunion than with a Super Bowl Halftime performance? Everybody loves The Doobie Brothers, and this would be a perfect opportunity for them to reach a younger audience while everyone else celebrates their reunion.
Read More: The Doobie Brothers Best Song On Each Studio Album
# 9 – Heart
Everyone loves Heart—even younger generations recognize the song Barracuda. This is an absolutely perfect choice. The band has countless hits, and they still sound incredible. Imagine how Ann Wilson would light up the stadium with her phenomenal voice, while Nancy Wilson captivates the audience with her stunning guitar work and signature high kicks. Now picture this: Jimmy Page joins them on stage for a roaring rendition of Rock and Roll to close out the show. That would be the ultimate rock and roll performance!
Read More: 20 Most Classic Heart Songs
# 8 – Southern Rock All-Star Jam
Just imagine an all-star jam featuring Lynyrd Skynyrd, The Marshall Tucker Band, and The Outlaws. Think about the songs these three bands could play together or individually during the Super Bowl Halftime Show. Then, for the grand finale, Free Bird performed with members of all three bands on stage together. Am I getting carried away? Probably. Could this actually be done? Oh yes—let’s make it happen!
Read More: 10 Best Albums To Turn People On To Southern Rock
# 7 – Jimmy Page & The Black Crowes
Listen, we’re not going to get Led Zeppelin. There’s no way Led Zeppelin would ever reunite for a Super Bowl Halftime performance. And, of course, all true-blue Led Zeppelin fans realize that the band was done when John Bonham died. However, Jimmy Page and The Black Crowes is a definite possibility. If you ever caught any of the tours they did or have heard the live album they released, it was phenomenal. Additionally, there are plans to release another live album featuring Jimmy Page & The Black Crowes. This would make for an incredible Halftime Show.
Read More: Top 10 Jimmy Page Projects Post Led Zeppelin
# 6 – Sammy Hagar & The Best of All Worlds Band
If you caught any of the Sammy Hagar & The Best of Both Worlds tour shows, you know this would be a phenomenal performance. Sammy Hagar, Michael Anthony, Joe Satriani, and Kenny Aronoff are absolutely on fire, tearing through classic Van Halen tracks and Hagar’s solo hits. Now, here’s the real kicker—if they could get Alex Van Halen to play drums and maybe David Lee Roth to share the lead vocal mic and turn this into a celebration of Eddie Van Halen’s life, you would have an entire stadium and millions around the world dancing and crying at the same time. That would be incredible! Eddie deserves to be honored in front of the biggest audience of the year.
Read More: Michael Anthony’s 10 Best Van Halen Backing Vocal Tracks
# 5 – The Eagles
Right now, the Eagles are a stadium band—one of the biggest in the world. Large venues are all they play. Of course, it’s not the same without Glenn Frey, but they’re still packing stadiums and putting on phenomenal shows. This is a solid pick.
Read More: The Eagles Best Song From Each Of Their Studio Albums
# 4 – Rod Stewart
Who doesn’t love Rod Stewart? If there is one rocker who can charm an entire audience of people of all ages while also rocking the roof off the joint, it’s this man.
Read More: Top 10 Rod Stewart’s Most Rocking Songs
# 3 – The Police
Sting may have performed at a Super Bowl Halftime Show with Gwen Stefani, but The Police never did. This is probably the longest shot on the board, but when The Police reunited for a tour back in 2008, it was spectacular. Not many people would argue against this choice. This is another one of those bands that are universally recognized, with songs that span generations. This would be an absolutely phenomenal pick, but Sting probably wouldn’t do it. But then again what do I know? Are you listening Gordon?
Read More: Complete List Of The Police Songs From A to Z
# 2 – Fleetwood Mac
It wouldn’t be the same without Christine McVie, but if you could get Lindsey Buckingham and Stevie Nicks back together on stage as part of Fleetwood Mac, I think many people would be on board. Just imagine them opening the Halftime Show with Tusk—anyone who has seen that video would understand exactly what I mean. And then they close with Go Your Own Way. Holy smokes, would that be earth-shattering!
Read More: 10 Most Rocking Fleetwood Mac Songs
# 1 – Elton John And Billy Joel
Our top two choices are pretty much interchangeable. Since they have toured together many times, the ultimate pick would be for both to perform the Halftime Show. However, it’s been a long time since they shared a stage, so either one performing the show themselves may be the more realistic possibility. That would be great also. There aren’t many musical artists who have spanned generation after generation in music history popularity like these two. The Beatles are probably the ultimate example, but the next two would likely be Billy Joel and Elton John. These two are stadium acts. These two are legends.
Read More: Complete List of Billy Joel Songs From A to Z
Read More: Complete List Of Elton John Songs From A to Z
If we can’t get any of these ten, how about……
Electric Light Orchestra
Blue Oyster Cult
Deep Purple
Metallica
Bad Company
Queen with Adam Lambert
Stevie Nicks
Carole King, James Taylor & Carly Simon
Foreigner
Styx
Can you name more?
If you want to know about the entire history of Super Bowl performaces, check out this very detailed article below……..
Complete List Of All Super Bowl Halftime Performers Since 1967
Check out similar articles on ClassicRockHistory.com Just click on any of the links below……
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Read More: Classic Rock Bands List And Directory
10 Best Band Picks For Next Year’s 2025 Super Bowl Halftime Show article published on Classic RockHistory.com© 2025
Man, I would be elated to see any of the article’s original list of ten to perform, especially the Southern Rock All-Star Jam, The Doobie Brothers, or Elton John/Billy Joel (saw them on their “Face-To-Face” Tour at RFK Stadium, and what a superb show!!)
Totally agree – the first decade of the 21st Century had (IMO) the most memorable half-time shows.
The last five years, or so, have been totally forgettable.
Others for consideration, from a personal perspective, that should appeal to a mass audience appeal are (in no particular order):
Original/classic Alice Cooper Band, (less Glenn Buxton, who died), but without the gruesome theatrics, which are great for his specific audience.
One last “Hello-Hurray”.
Santana; drawing in as many living members from the 1969-1974 line-up, including Neal Schon and Gregg Rolie for the show.
And, in the “Bury-The-Hatchet and One-Off” category reunion wish-list (except for members who have passed) – Although realistically/admittedly, they would not likely ever happen, due to bad juju:
Creedence Clearwater Revival; John Fogerty’s son Shane could play his Uncle Tom’s rhythm parts.
Pink Floyd, with a well-auditioned replacement for Richard Wright (perhaps Rick Wakeman?)
Journey’s classic line-up; with Steve Perry, Steve Smith, and Ross Valory (perhaps Gregg Rolie and Ansley Dunbar joining in, for extra oomph).
Chicago, bringing back Peter Cetera, Danny Seraphine, and Walter Parazaider (If Walter can do a one-off)
Styx (as noted in the article’s addendum); bringing back Dennis DeYoung and Glen Burtnik for the Super Bowl show.
And my ultimate wish show, but would take a couple months of rehearsals for the correct meshing of song selections, synchopation, and vocal harmonies – Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr, Dhani Harrison,and Julian Lennon.
REO Speedwagon