Prince’s connection to basketball is well chronicled — he was known for playing hoops in between recording sessions, was famously parodied in a basketball sketch on Chappelle’s Show, and caused a bit of a stir earlier this year when he sat courtside to take in a Warriors game. But he may be best remembered for his participation in football’s greatest event.
Prince’s halftime show at Super Bowl XLI in a South Florida downpour is widely regarded as the finest in the history of the event. Prince opened his set with Queen’s “We Will Rock You,” followed by “Let’s Go Crazy,” “Baby I’m a Star,” Creedence Clearwater Revival’s “Proud Mary,” Bob Dylan’s “All Along the Watchtower,” and Fu Fighter’s “Best of You.”
Prince managed to avoid electricution while playing several different electric guitars in the rain, and fittingly closed with an electrifying performance of his Oscar-winning hit “Purple Rain.”
[fusion_title size=”4″]PRINCE-STYLE PRESS CONFERENCE[/fusion_title]
Prince’s one-of-kind show was foreshadowed by his unorthodox press conference earlier in the week, in which he chose to answer questions from the media via a 12 minute-long rockin’ three-song set.
Prince led off with Chuck Berry’s “Johhny B. Goode,” followed by two of his originals — “Anotherloverholenyohead” and “Get on the Boat.”
[fusion_title size=”4″]BEST SUPER BOWL HALFTIME SHOWS[/fusion_title]
Prince’s 2007 performance finishes no lower than second in four rankings of best Super Bowl halftime shows in history. Billboard has him in the top spot, while Rolling Stone and Sports Illustrated go with U2. USA Today opts for Michael Jackson.
| Billboard | Rolling Stone | USA Today | SI |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prince | U2 | Michael Jackson | U2 |
| U2 | Prince | Prince | Prince |
| Madonna | Beyonce | Springsteen | Beyonce |
| Springsteen | Aerosmith | Beyonce | Bruno Mars |
| Beyonce | Springsteen | Janet Jackson | Aerosmith |
| Rolling Stones | Madonna | U2 | Springsteen |
| Janet Jackson | Rolling Stones | Tom Petty | Rolling Stones |
| Paul McCartney | Katy Perry | Coldplay | Paul McCartney |
| Aerosmith | Paul McCartney | Diana Ross | Michael Jackson |
| Michael Jackson | Michael Jackson | The Who | Janet Jackson |
[fusion_title size=”4″]STARR CARDS COMPOSITE RANKING[/fusion_title]
When the rankings by Billboard, Rolling Stone, USA Today and Sport Illustrated are composited, Prince’s performance finishes at the top, followed by U2’s 2002 show and Beyonce’s show in 2013.
Prince (2007) – 37 points
Super Bowl XLI – Dolphin Stadium
Miami Gardens, Florida
U2 (2002) – 34 points
Super Bowl XXXVI – Louisiana Superdome
New Orleans, Louisiana
Beyonce (2013) – 29 points
Super Bowl XLVII – Mercedes-Benz Superdome
New Orleans, Louisiana
Springsteen (2009) – 26 points
Super Bowl XLIII – Raymond James Stadium
Tampa, Florida
Rolling Stones (2006) – 16 points
Super Bowl XL – Ford Field
Detroit, Michigan
Aerosmith (2001) – 15 points
Super Bowl XXXIV – Raymond James Stadium
Tampa, Florida
Michael Jackson (1993) – 14 points
Super Bowl XXVII – Rose Bowl
Pasadena, California
Madonna (2012) – 13 points
Super Bowl XLVI – Lucas Oil Stadium
Indianapolis, Indiana
Janet Jackson (2004) – 11 points
Super Bowl XXXVIII – Reliant Stadium
Houston, Texas
Paul McCartney (2005) – 8 points
Super Bowl XXXIX – Alltel Stadium
Jacksonville, Florida
[fusion_title size=”4″]PAYING TRIBUTE[/fusion_title]
After Prince’s sudden passing on Thursday, several of the other artists in the top ten list took to Twitter to pay tribute to the gifted Minnesotan.
I never met Mozart, I never met Duke Ellington or Charlie Parker
I never met Elvis
But I met Prince – Bono pic.twitter.com/ruD6Su3aMh— U2 (@U2) April 22, 2016
One of the all-time greats, Prince has gone. A huge loss for Music.
The Edge.— U2 (@U2) April 22, 2016
LEGENDS NEVER DIE…WE MAY HAVE LOST HIS BODY, BUT WE’LL NEVER LOSE HIS MUSIC OR SOUL…REST IN PEACE TO MUSIC ROYALTY PRINCE
— Steven Tyler (@IamStevenT) April 21, 2016
He Changed The World!! A True Visionary. What a loss. I'm Devastated. This is Not A Love Song. pic.twitter.com/x4JaSxRraC
— Madonna (@Madonna) April 21, 2016
Saddened by Prince's death. Proud to have seen in the New Year with him. He seemed fine and played brilliantly funky music.
— Paul McCartney (@PaulMcCartney) April 21, 2016
God bless this creative giant. Thanks Prince. Love X Paul
— Paul McCartney (@PaulMcCartney) April 21, 2016
I will miss a good friend who was so talented. He was such a great performer / guitar player. Sleep well Prince 🙏 pic.twitter.com/4EZLFyGw9X
— Ronnie Wood (@ronniewood) April 21, 2016
I am so saddened to hear of Prince's passing. Prince was a revolutionary artist, a wonderful musician and composer. 1/3
— Mick Jagger (@MickJagger) April 21, 2016
Prince was an original lyricist and a startling guitar player. His talent was limitless. 2/3
— Mick Jagger (@MickJagger) April 21, 2016
Prince was one of the most unique and exciting artists of the last 30 years. 3/3
— Mick Jagger (@MickJagger) April 21, 2016
Thank you Princehttps://t.co/GmYRkxK2nw
— The Rolling Stones (@RollingStones) April 22, 2016
[fusion_title size=”4″]THE BOSS PLAYS PURPLE RAIN[/fusion_title]
Saturday night, Bruce Springsteen & the E Street Band remembered the His Royal Badness by playing “Purple Rain” to open their concert in Brooklyn — but not before Stevie Van Zandt got in a quick cram session on the intricate guitar solo.
Backstage at @barclayscenter, @StevieVanZandt goes 2 the videotape 2 get “Purple Rain” right. #TheRiverTourBrooklyn pic.twitter.com/lTZdA33cJi
— Backstreets Magazine (@backstreetsmag) April 24, 2016
[fusion_title size=”4″]PAINT A PERFECT PICTURE[/fusion_title]
One artist that has never headlined the Super Bowl halftime show, and wields a brush rather than a guitar, dealt with her grief at Prince’s passing by applying paint to canvas. Watch as Caito Potatoe renders the Purple One in a striking speed painting. As they say, a picture is worth a thousand words…
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