Super Bowl XLIV: Manning, Brees and The Who

February 7th, 2010    Posted in Uncategorized

Tonight marks a time when two of my favorite things “join together” – football and rock and roll. Ah yes, the Super Bowl. Once again Coach Marvin Lewis and our very own Cincinnati Bengals have yet to find a way to make it to the big game, ending yet another season in disappointment. It was certainly better than the year before, however the team pulled through strong and overcame obstacles with the passing of wide receiver Chris Henry and Defensive coach Mike Zimmer’s wife, Vikki. But we’ve got to forget about the Bengals on a day like today. As the Who-Dey nation says every year, “there’s always next year.”

So once again we’ve got the Indianapolis Colts and one of the best quarterbacks of all-time in Peyton Manning battling the New Orleans Saints, who have that heartwarming story, with the devastation left on the lives of Hurricane Katrina years ago. I’m hoping the Saints can pull it out today, not just because we’ve heard enough of Manning over the last decade, but I think it’d be great for the city of New Orleans. But my interest tonight really has nothing to do with the game.

I’m looking forward to the halftime show, which will be put on by one of rock’s greatest bands of all-time, The Who. Roger Daltrey and Pete Townshend may be the only remaining members of the great classic rock band, but I’m just glad they’re still friends, still playing and continuing on the legacy of The Who. They’ll perform a twelve-minute show this evening, performing a medley of hits that will include “Baba O’ Riley”, “Pinball Wizard”, “Who Are You”, “Won’t Get Fooled Again” and the closing of the album, Tommy. It also marks the first American football game that Daltrey will see in person. Not a bad game for your first time.

Questions often arise, especially for a band like this who hasn’t really done a lot of touring over the past several years. That question is, “does this mark a return and tour for The Who?” Unfortunately it appears that The Who will not be touring this year (bye bye the chance of Bonnaroo); they’ve only got one other gig lined up this year, and that is next month at the Royal Albert Hall, where they will perform the album Quadrophenia in its entirety. Later in the year, Daltrey is teaming up with Eric Clapton for a tour in the United States.

The Who join a cast of Super Bowl performers that in the past have included Bruce Springsteen & the E Street Band, Paul McCartney, The Rolling Stones, Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers and Prince. As for the game, Daltrey’s pulling for the Saints, while Townshend’s going with the Colts. While my heart is with Daltrey and his prediction, my head is saying “go with Pete.”