NFL lines up Stevie Wonder for Super Bowl pregame show

**DaKCMan AP** · 12-06-2005, 12:29 PM

NFL lines up Stevie Wonder for Super Bowl pregame show
By SARAH KARUSH, Associated Press Writer
December 5, 2005

DETROIT (AP) -- Motown fans miffed by the NFL's choice of the Rolling Stones for Super Bowl halftime entertainment are getting at least some satisfaction: Stevie Wonder will perform during the pregame show at Ford Field.

Wonder will play three or four songs during the pregame show before the game Feb. 5, Lori Lambert, vice president of strategic marketing for Universal Motown Records Group, told The Associated Press.

Other artists -- still to be announced -- also will be featured in the pregame show, Lambert said.

NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy said the league was not prepared to make an announcement about the pregame show.

However, he said, "we would be thrilled to be able to work with Stevie Wonder again."

Wonder performed during halftime in 1999.

The NFL's announcement last week that the Rolling Stones would provide the halftime entertainment prompted an uproar in Detroit, the original home of Motown Records, which gave the world such artists as Wonder, Smokey Robinson, the Supremes and the Four Tops.

Detroit-area residents are fiercely proud of the city's musical contributions, which extend beyond Motown to more recent stars like Eminem and Kid Rock. Aretha Franklin's singing career started at the Detroit church where her father preached, and the Queen of Soul still lives in the area. Ted Nugent, Madonna and Bob Seger also hail from Michigan.

Many saw it as a snub that those stars were passed over for halftime. Detroit radio personality Mildred Gaddis gave out the number of an NFL official on the air and urged listeners to call and complain.

McCarthy said it was always the league's intention to honor Motown in the pregame show. But halftime, he said, is bigger than Detroit.

"The Super Bowl transcends the host city and even the country," he said.

McCarthy noted that the 1998 Super Bowl in San Diego featured a Motown tribute in honor of the label's 40th anniversary. Performers included Robinson, Martha Reeves and The Temptations.

February's game will be the second in a row that halftime entertainment has been provided by British musicians over 60. Paul McCartney played halftime last year, as the NFL sought a family-friendly act to follow Janet Jackson's "wardrobe malfunction" in 2004.

Stevie Wonder: http://www.steviewonder.net/

NFL: http://www.nfl.com

Updated on Monday, Dec 5, 2005 5:27 pm EST

http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news?slu...v=ap&type=lgns

siberian khatru · 12-06-2005, 12:29 PM

He worked as a line judge in the Chiefs-Broncos game last Sunday.

funk monkey · 12-06-2005, 12:32 PM

well nothing against the rolling stones and stevie...I love them...but whats with all of the old artists comin to the superbowl. I dont want the crappy pop stuff that Janet did when she indecently exposed herself, and thats prolly why theve toned it down with the more mellow artists like with mcartny last year..i would love to see some moving music, like system of a down, or some rap to appeal to most of the viewers

kcfanintitanhell · 12-06-2005, 04:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by funk monkey

well nothing against the rolling stones and stevie...I love them...but whats with all of the old artists comin to the superbowl. I dont want the crappy pop stuff that Janet did when she indecently exposed herself, and thats prolly why theve toned it down with the more mellow artists like with mcartny last year..i would love to see some moving music, like system of a down, or some rap to appeal to most of the viewers

I guess it all depends on just exactly who the powers-that-be are trying to entertain-the actual people at the game, or the home viewers. IMO, most fans of system of a down or eminem are not going to be at the game and a majority of people at the game that can afford the price tag for the tickets will probably not have ever even heard of system of a down.
When the brass are crunching numbers, booking the Stones is pretty much a no-brainer.
Now if we were talking about Ashlee Simpson, I would hope that somebody going to the game could fit a high powered rifle into binocular case.

**DaneMcCloud** · 12-06-2005, 12:46 PM

The NFL brass must think this is 1972. Hey, maybe they can get Bread or the Osmonds to perform. Woo-Hoo.

Dane
~Seriously disappointed in the musical choices

**ChiTown** · 12-06-2005, 01:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaneMcCloud

The NFL brass must think this is 1972. Hey, maybe they can get Bread or the Osmonds to perform. Woo-Hoo.

Dane
~Seriously disappointed in the musical choices

Bread? Are you kidding? I love Baby I'm-A Want You!

**ptlyon** · 12-06-2005, 01:20 PM

Thank God the Chiefs won't be in it so I don't have to watch it.

Simplex3 · 12-06-2005, 01:10 PM

I have an even better idea:

DROP THE STUPID F**KING MUSICAL HALFTIME BULLS**T. How about talking about the game? The season that led up to it? Next year? You know, FOOTBALL. Christ, we already have eleventy billion music awards shows for these asshats to perform at, why must they show up during my football games, too?

**Rain Man** · 12-06-2005, 01:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Simplex3

I have an even better idea:

DROP THE STUPID F**KING MUSICAL HALFTIME BULLS**T. How about talking about the game? The season that led up to it? Next year? You know, FOOTBALL. Christ, we already have eleventy billion music awards shows for these asshats to perform at, why must they show up during my football games, too?

If they wanted to cater to football fans, there'd sure be a lot of ways to do it, such as:

1. Replaying the biggest plays of the season.

2. Having a touch football game between players on past Super Bowl teams.

3. Showing a Super Bowl retrospective.

4. Bringing out those two Carolina Panther cheerleaders for a special encore performance.

5. Having a quarterback challenge among non-Super Bowl quarterbacks.

6. Having a fan contest in punt, pass, or kick.

7. Putting on a historical documentary about an old-time Hall of Famer like Nagurski or Grange or Baugh.

8. Dogs catching frisbees.

9. A sumo exhibition.

Feel free to add to this list.

**ptlyon** · 12-06-2005, 01:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rain Man

Feel free to add to this list.

I'd vote for #4.

**Rain Man** · 12-06-2005, 03:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ptlyon

I'd vote for #4.

It certainly seems like a logical choice. Plus, it would make everyone forget that Janet Jackson fiasco.

ct · 12-06-2005, 04:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rain Man

If they wanted to cater to football fans, there'd sure be a lot of ways to do it, such as:

1. Replaying the biggest plays of the season.

2. Having a touch football game between players on past Super Bowl teams.

3. Showing a Super Bowl retrospective.

4. Bringing out those two Carolina Panther cheerleaders for a special encore performance.

5. Having a quarterback challenge among non-Super Bowl quarterbacks.

6. Having a fan contest in punt, pass, or kick.

7. Putting on a historical documentary about an old-time Hall of Famer like Nagurski or Grange or Baugh.

8. Dogs catching frisbees.

9. A sumo exhibition.

Feel free to add to this list.

How about having that lingerie game live on the field, how's that for ya?

Seriously though, what's the problem here? Stevie Wonder and the Stones, I'm fust fine with that. Actually, I'm just fine with anybody, as I don't watch the halftime show, but rather sing my own song at halftime. B double-e double-r u n, BEER RUN, BEER RUN!!

trndobrd · 12-06-2005, 05:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rain Man

If they wanted to cater to football fans, there'd sure be a lot of ways to do it, such as:

....

2. Having a touch football game between players on past Super Bowl teams.

A competitive half-time touch football game could be held as a charity event.

I think everyone would really enjoy watching a touch football game between the '70-71 Baltimore Colts (Superbowl V) versus the '02-03 Tampa Bay Bucaneers (Superbowl XXXVI).

**Rain Man** · 12-06-2005, 06:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by trndonthemods

A competitive half-time touch football game could be held as a charity event.

I think everyone would really enjoy watching a touch football game between the '70-71 Baltimore Colts (Superbowl V) versus the '02-03 Tampa Bay Bucaneers (Superbowl XXXVI).

Maybe to even it up they could add Robert Edwards to the Colts team. He loves charity touch football.

CoMoChief · 12-06-2005, 01:31 PM

How about a fight til death match between Steven Segal and Chuck Norris?

12-06-2005, 12:29 PM	Topic Starter
DaKCMan AP Beloved & Awesome CP Celebrity Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Florida Casino cash: $6754952	NFL lines up Stevie Wonder for Super Bowl pregame show NFL lines up Stevie Wonder for Super Bowl pregame show By SARAH KARUSH, Associated Press Writer December 5, 2005 DETROIT (AP) -- Motown fans miffed by the NFL's choice of the Rolling Stones for Super Bowl halftime entertainment are getting at least some satisfaction: Stevie Wonder will perform during the pregame show at Ford Field. Wonder will play three or four songs during the pregame show before the game Feb. 5, Lori Lambert, vice president of strategic marketing for Universal Motown Records Group, told The Associated Press. Other artists -- still to be announced -- also will be featured in the pregame show, Lambert said. NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy said the league was not prepared to make an announcement about the pregame show. However, he said, "we would be thrilled to be able to work with Stevie Wonder again." Wonder performed during halftime in 1999. The NFL's announcement last week that the Rolling Stones would provide the halftime entertainment prompted an uproar in Detroit, the original home of Motown Records, which gave the world such artists as Wonder, Smokey Robinson, the Supremes and the Four Tops. Detroit-area residents are fiercely proud of the city's musical contributions, which extend beyond Motown to more recent stars like Eminem and Kid Rock. Aretha Franklin's singing career started at the Detroit church where her father preached, and the Queen of Soul still lives in the area. Ted Nugent, Madonna and Bob Seger also hail from Michigan. Many saw it as a snub that those stars were passed over for halftime. Detroit radio personality Mildred Gaddis gave out the number of an NFL official on the air and urged listeners to call and complain. McCarthy said it was always the league's intention to honor Motown in the pregame show. But halftime, he said, is bigger than Detroit. "The Super Bowl transcends the host city and even the country," he said. McCarthy noted that the 1998 Super Bowl in San Diego featured a Motown tribute in honor of the label's 40th anniversary. Performers included Robinson, Martha Reeves and The Temptations. February's game will be the second in a row that halftime entertainment has been provided by British musicians over 60. Paul McCartney played halftime last year, as the NFL sought a family-friendly act to follow Janet Jackson's "wardrobe malfunction" in 2004. Stevie Wonder: http://www.steviewonder.net/ NFL: http://www.nfl.com Updated on Monday, Dec 5, 2005 5:27 pm EST http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news?slu...v=ap&type=lgns
Posts: 35,695

12-06-2005, 12:29 PM	#2
siberian khatru 21st Century Schizoid Fan Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: The Gates of Delirium Casino cash: $2554950	He worked as a line judge in the Chiefs-Broncos game last Sunday.
Posts: 69,173

12-06-2005, 12:32 PM	#3
funk monkey Starter Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Kansas Casino cash: $10004900	well nothing against the rolling stones and stevie...I love them...but whats with all of the old artists comin to the superbowl. I dont want the crappy pop stuff that Janet did when she indecently exposed herself, and thats prolly why theve toned it down with the more mellow artists like with mcartny last year..i would love to see some moving music, like system of a down, or some rap to appeal to most of the viewers __________________
Posts: 108

12-06-2005, 12:46 PM	#5
DaneMcCloud Supporter Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: Hollywood, CA Casino cash: $10053648	The NFL brass must think this is 1972. Hey, maybe they can get Bread or the Osmonds to perform. Woo-Hoo. Dane ~Seriously disappointed in the musical choices
Posts: 88,960

12-06-2005, 01:20 PM	#7
ptlyon Bono & Grbac wasn't enough Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Sioux City, IA Casino cash: $13113829	Thank God the Chiefs won't be in it so I don't have to watch it. __________________ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Advertise here: $19.99 a month
Posts: 33,554

12-06-2005, 01:10 PM	#8
Simplex3 MVP Join Date: Sep 2003 Casino cash: $10004900	I have an even better idea: DROP THE STUPID FKING MUSICAL HALFTIME BULLST. How about talking about the game? The season that led up to it? Next year? You know, FOOTBALL. Christ, we already have eleventy billion music awards shows for these asshats to perform at, why must they show up during my football games, too?
Posts: 28,527

12-06-2005, 01:31 PM	#15
CoMoChief Mahomes Dynasty Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Parts Unknown Casino cash: $8052254	How about a fight til death match between Steven Segal and Chuck Norris? __________________
Posts: 39,156