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In recent years, the Super Bowl has become less concert and more a preview to upcoming cemetery attractions.
This year, it was The Who’s turn to do Brett Favre proud and add to their extensive rock legend.
Although it might seem that watching three seniors rock out well past their primes would be entertaining, the concert inevitably turned into a guessing game of which homely old man is Pete Townsend and which is Roger Daltrey.
However, there were times when The Who seemed to transcend their age. For a moment, their glorious roar would flow through the crowd and for a split second they would capture a little of the mastery that made them rock legends.
Unfortunately, there were also several moments when all one could do was cringe to hear Daltrey’s feeble voice try to hit those familiar higher notes.
Townsend, who sang backup vocals, was nearly inaudible throughout the entire concert.
But his face-melting guitar riffs are as sharp as ever.
The playlist for the concert was exceptionally well designed.
They played the concert as if it were one long jam, hardly pausing for a moment as one song bled into the next, which is an impressive feat of stamina for three men old enough to be my grandparents.
The songs chosen were also excellent. Hitting nearly every big single except for the notable exception of “Behind Blue Eyes,” which was probably left off the playlist to keep the upbeat, fast-paced rhythm of the concert.
The light show also complimented the concert exceptionally well and really accentuated the stage.
It was a much better half-time concert than in past years, but it is still kind of odd to watch former idols rock out in their 60’s.
It might be time for the NFL to take a risk and go for a little more youth in their half time show. However, after the Janet Jackson/Justin Timberlake debacle a few years ago it could be awhile before they trust youth on prime time again.
The Who put up a valiant effort for their concert, and at times succeeded, but those aging lungs and legs don’t have the same power that they used to and as the concert dragged that became painfully apparent.
Age is all the rage right now, but it might be best that The Who save shows like this for their HBO 50th anniversary concert. They will always be one of the best rock bands ever, but as Sunday night showed, they are clearly past their prime.
6 comments
Alex, you need to have some sort of a warning posted at the start of your articles:
"NOTE: Reading this is a complete waste of time. It is not clever, informative, entertaining or interesting. You will be dumber as a result of reading it."
By the way, did you not hear the entire stadium singing along? Try that with Janet Jackson or snoop dog face. Show some respect.