The Boss to play Super Bowl XLIII?

The New York Post is reporting -- well, gossiping at least -- that Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band will be the halftime act at Super Bowl XLIII, which will be played at Tampa's Raymond James Stadium on Feb. 1, 2009. After much pestering by me, Bruce's PR rep at Shore Fire Media finally (but kindly) had "nothing at all" to report. My buddy Chris at Backstreets.com was still searching for clues, too (and those guys know everything). According to the Post's Page Six, the hullabaloo started when E Streeter Little Steven Van Zandt supposedly rented out a local Hard Rock Cafe for the date. We don’t have a "cafe" here, but we do have a "hotel and casino." Hmm...

Music-wise, the Super Bowl has been on a halftime hot streak lately, first Prince, then Tom Petty. If this Boss news is true, WHAT DOES HE PLAY? Or better yet, WHAT SHOULD HE PLAY? 

Comments

[Sylvie]

So Backstreets says their spies looked at the setlist...
The Line
Drive All Night
Loose Ends
Cover Me
Protection
Trapped
No Surrender
You'll Be Comin' Down
A Good Man is Hard to Find (Pittsburgh)
Medley: Super Bowl Shuffle / E Street Shuffle
and of course, Born to Run

[Doug Saguto]

Should play his most dramatic song off of his most dramatic album for the most dramatic game in football. That would be "Jungleland," but I doubt he'd play that.

[D.Blue]

The "super bowl" specializes in bringing in "GEEZER ROCK" for all the old fogies that advertise their crap during the game.
They will NEVER do ANYTHING to make the fogies nervous!
Bruce won't be coming to the "super bowl" halftime show. That would be "jumpin' the shark" for him.
He doesn't need to take the pay cut!

[Bassnote]

I don't understand all these people ripping on Bruce. Thanks to my wife I have seen Mr. Springsteen and the E Street Band seven times since 1999. I also saw him solo, and with the Sessions Band. I'm nowhere near as big a fan as my wife, but boring is not a word to describe a Springsteen show. It is incredibly high energy. Heck, I hope I have half his energy when I'm 59. Playing football stadiums is the mans bread and butter. I think Bruce and the band would do a fantastic half-time show. Anyone who rips on Bruce's ability as a musician and performer, wouldn't know a good performance if it came up and bit them on the privates.

[jersey buc]

Adam:
maybe we can get the power rangers to play halftime for you, if you can stay up that late. Bruce is the greatest stadium show in the world, appeals to a wide audience, (older than 16) and brings energy that no other rock band can bring. I feel bad for you, must be great knowing everything before you can even shave.
just saw him play 3 plus hours at Giants Stadium, and it rocked! great choice

[chris]

Who do you want, Adam? Janes Addiction, oh wait they're broke up. Limp Biscut, Blink 182. Oh sorry no longer together. I saw Bruce at the Forum recently. For 59 the guy and his crew put on an amazing show. Sorry man. I've tried to get into the new bands but they don't stick around. They have the attention span of a 25 year old on Ridlin & StarBucks. AS DAvid Lee Roth once said, "Here today. Gone later today."

[Bomp]

Okay, here's the real deal: Bruuuuce sings "Blinded By The Light", so as to excuse some receiver for dropping the pigskin in the 1st half. Then, he brings out the Jonas Brothers and they all get down with "Sugar, Sugar" as a twisted example of Americana roots music, from the days before any of 'em had a hit. That oughta about cover all the demos.

I wish somebody could resurrect Tiny Tim, for some "Tip Toes through the Tulips."

[Long Odds]

If I had to go with a darkhorse playing the Superbowl halftime, it would be Van Halen with Michael Anthony back in the fold for just that one performance.

[Tonka61]

He will play three songs, two of which no one will know.

And "Born in the USA" is not a pro-USA song. I'm under 30 - and only a casual fan - and even I know that.

There are too many big bands with Florida ties for the Boss to be playing. There is Skynyrd and the Outlaws, but they are essentially caricatures of their former selves. Two AC/DC members live in the area, and they've got an album coming out in October. I SAY GET AC/DC!!!

Either or, I'm sure Eddie Money is available that weekend! Much cheaper - and arguably more hits!

[Ybor guy]

I'm not making money off Bruce playing a show or not so it doesn't matter to me if you believe I am credible, I was only passing info. The halftime show I have zero clue about. The only reason I know about bud bowl is because I own a business in Ybor and it was told me by the president of YCDC that they were trying to convince bud to do it in Ybor rather than channelside. But it's of no indifference to me whether u believe it or not, Mary as far as I know it is a free event.

[Anthony]

He should play the song called "every song of mine sounds the same, references Jersey and Wendy" Song WAHHHH WAHHH WAHHH!

LIIIINNGER LOOOONGERR!!

[Scott]

What should he play? NOTHING. What a boring "old" half time show this will be. C'mon Tampa, Can't you get a better venue than that? omg. zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz.

[Mike]

Ha ha ha! Rick ... that is funny! I'm in the toilet business and I know that ybor guy is full of crap!

Springsteen should absolutely play Blinded by the Light.

[Kevin]

He should play a cover of Grandpa, Tell me 'bout the Good Ol' Days. Because he's older than dirt. I hope he's wearing his depends when he's up on stage, god forbid he mess himself.

[jillabuster]

William
I hope he plays WAR! (whoa-u-whoa-u-whoa-u-whoa) WHAT IS IT GOOD FOR!?!? (absolutely nothing!)
For what is the Superbowl if not a war between the leagues?

[Rick]

Wow, if "ybor guy" is in the entertainment business, it must be true!

[mackpod]

What no Toby Keith for the pick-up truck, nascar rednecks?

[Andrew]

Blue Man Group? Someone didn't really post this did they?. I'm sure that is just a troll post to get people like me to mock them, and then the guy comes back and says "what you don't know sarcasm".

You got me. Good one.

[William]

If he does this halftime show and gets up there and sings some anti-war song or "Tom Joad" tune that nobody really cares about, it's going to suck. That's exactly what Bruce would do.

[Huckleberry]

Yea...how boring! I think he said he was better than Bono. Next year I hope it will be Babs.

[Bassnote]

I don't see Bruce doing this, but if he did, my wife would love it.

[Lisa]

Everyone under 30? Hardly. Springsteen fans run from teens on up. Do a little real research. As for boring? Obviously you have never been at a Springsteen show.

Lets see - a real musician, plays his own instruments, writes his own music and sings for three hours straight (no intermission and no lip synching). Boring? Hardly.

Too many people have been tortured listening to the so called talent out there. Groups that have broken up before their first release has even made it to the store. Groups and singers that stand around and lip synch. Groups and singers who bring tons of dancers on stage to detract from the fact they have no talent.

Finally there is real talent at the Super Bowl. Keep your Janet Jacksons. Keep watching your American Idol. Give me Springsteen any day.

[Dominic]

"Glory Days"
"Out In The Street"
"Tenth Avenue Freeze Out"
"The Rising"
"Born To Run"

[NickWithAnAxe]

I think he should play "Born in the U.S.A." first. Everyone is pumped. All the tweens who have never heard of Springsteen at least recognize the song. All the rednecks lift their Buds to the sky, lighters ablaze. Then Bruce follows it with "The River". ...And it all comes crashing down. It's like a big donkey punch to the American psyche.

[MJ]

I agree with DG. Even the Super Bowl would be beneath him. After all, he's no Janet Jackson! (That's a compliment by the way...)

[mike]

Blue Man Group? Are you kidding me?

[DG]

Both Springsteen and (thankfully) the Eagles turned the NFL down last year, for which Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers played.

I don't exactly see this kind of show being Springsteen's idea (his manager's maybe, but not his). He's not exactly a "roll out the radio hits" kinda guy.

[Sherrie]

"Rosalita", without a doubt!

[joey baby]

What Madonna busy?

[JoeB]

It'll be a great halftime show if this is true. The only problem will be getting Springsteen fans on the field. Most likely it will be a bunch of teenyboppers that don't even know his songs on the field and trying to enjoy it. My guess for songs would be Born To Run, The Rising, and Long Walk Home.

[Mary]

ybor guy - can you score me some tix? - Mary

[Lori]

Blue Man Group rather than Bruce Springsteen?

Words fail me.

[Gene]

Born to run, for the ground game. Have to think about something for the pasing game. But lets really think big and have him play Glory Days at the Rays first game of the World Series!

[Bill]

Everyone under 30 is going to say "Who?..". Blue Man Group would be a better choice in my book. Just entertainment, not some nostalgic trip down memory lane or a political statement. I have seen Bruce live and he is good, but let's face it, many young people have never even heard of him. This choice misses the mark.

[Steve]

Adam-you are now banned from making music comments. I could see the Boss not being someone's taste, but boring?!?!? He's anything but that. If we wanted boring, they should book the Eagles.

I'd love to hear him play, "the land of hope and dreams", but I'm guessing he wouldn't because of the "whores and gamblers" line.

[ybor guy]

I work in the entertainment business and I know for sure he will be performing at the Bud Bowl Festivities which is gonna be in either channelside or ybor

[Willie]

Go get em Sean!
If anyone can break this news, it's YOU....

[Mary]

Now HERE'S a reason to want to go to the Super Bowl. He should play "I'm on Fire" but anything he plays will be great! He a real class act: When I was 16 many years ago, I wrote him a letter (sent it to the stadium in my hometown). Apparantly he got it because he dedicated "Thunder Road" to me at the concert. What a thrill for a 16 year old girl who was - still is - gaga over him. He's still a hunk!

[Marissa]

Hey! AT least Bon Jovi isn't playing. ACK!

[Adam]

Ahh... Bruce Springstein playing the half-time show at the Super Bowl. Safe. Clean. Boring. What's wrong? REO Speedwagon was booked? I can't wa-....zzzzzzzzzzzzz.

[John Hays]

If so, he'll obviously play Born in the USA and most likely Born to Run (did he have a theme going there?)

He most likely WON'T play Philadelphia or Secret Garden! ;)