Arrianna Toolsie Sports Editor

One of the most iconic moments in sports each year is the NFL halftime show. Known to attract millions of viewers around the world, artists give their time to produce a short, yet powerful and memorable performance time and time again. It’s a ploy from the league to obviously to keep the audience engaged during a long rest for a high-stakes game. However, artists have taken their roles seriously as they vow to make their performances iconic and heart-pounding.

Why rock ‘n’ roll? Sports fans run off a high, where their adrenaline is pumping; music can heavily influence that altered state. Rock ‘n’ roll has a high energy aspect to their music that contributes to the atmosphere within the stadiums, despite the artists’ lack of halftime shows. Think of AC/DC, Metallica, or The Killers — they never performed at the NFL halftime show, however their music is used in many ways. anthems, to sing-alongs, to cheer performances, to traditions, rock ‘n’ roll lives in everyone’s soul, whether they believe it or not. Just think of when the crowd roars as “Mr. Brightside” by The Killers or “Thunderstruck” by AC/DC have played during a match. It’s out of this world.

Though there aren’t many, rock ‘n’ roll artists have made their mark during NFL halftime shows, especially back in the 2000s. U2, Aerosmith, Paul McCartney, The Rolling Stones, Prince, and Bruce Springsteen are among the many who took over the world with their performances. This may be a hot take nowadays, but they are some of the best NFL halftime shows ever. Let’s take look back. Michael Jackson, regarded as the ‘King of Pop,’ was known to release rock ‘n’ roll-esque songs and had fans all around the world stuck to their seats as they watched, mesmerized during his 1993 show. The same could be said for the amazing rock artists above.

The musicality of it, raw vocals, and instrumentals are what make rock ‘n’ roll such a great genre. The songs and overall atmosphere feel intimate and authentic in a variety of ways due to the connections that can be made with their fans. It is undeniable that rock artists have delivered such iconic performances and anthems; their legacies will undoubtedly live on and influence the league. The significance of rock n’ roll music on the NFL and its fans is simply timeless. So, what other rock artists would be amazing on the big stage?