Some Thoughts...

On the Super Bowl Halftime shows.

We all know what happened last year. They did a big overblown star studded extravaganza, and then Janet Jackson decided to show the world what she was made of. I was working at CBS which broadcast the show, and there were... interesting conversations that were taking place that next week!

Personally, I don't like the MTV produced star studded hip hop dance athon inspired shows they have had the last two years (and before that). My favorite show, the one I would model EVERY show after, was the one for the 2002 Super Bowl, which took place 5 months after 9/11.

U2 came up, and did 3 songs from their normal concert. Now, not only is U2 the best band ever (other than maybe the Beatles, more on that later) but they also have a VERY patriotic streak for America. The show was GREAT. They did a couple songs, and ended with a tribute to the Tower vicitims that was really moving. The show was simple, powerful and cool. No wardrobe malfunctions. No gyrating to the music and making parents cover the eyes of little ones. Good clean musical entertainment.

This year, after the fiasco of last year, they are putting on Paul McCartney. I have high hopes. Not only is Paul one of the gods of rock and roll... I mean, he practically invented it. The Beatles were the best band ever very likely (see above about U2). They were on the top commercially for their entire existence. THE TOP. Not near, they were the top. And they were artistically the top too. Not near, they were the top. Others came close, but the Beatles were always experimenting with new sounds and ways of doing things, but they had an uncanny ability to make the music still fun to listen to. Their music is something to study, but also to just enjoy.

Anyway, Paul is also a consumate showman. This promises to be good, clean musical entertaiment for the whole family. The kids will be surprised at how cool those tunes really are, and the parents will be able to rock out to the stuff they remember.

A few things to note... Paul is a lefty. So he switched the strings on his bass to make it easier for him to play. He holds it backwards:) Also, if he is playing the bass, it is probably the same on he played in the 60's. Very distinctive looking bass. Watch how he toys with the audience as well. He is very good at projecting what he wants you to feel. He is really having fun up on stage. And he is VERY funny, great sense of humor. If you like British humor check out A Hard Days Night. Great music, very funny script, and heck, it is about the Beatles!

Anyway, them's me thoughts on that!