Greatest Super Bowl Performance

Today is Super Bowl XLVI between the New York Giants and the New England Patriots and I couldn't care less about it. That's not to say I'm not a football fan because I am but I'm not a fan of the Giants or Pats. My NFL teams of choice are the Chicago Bears and the Washington Redskins and they didn't even make the playoffs this year.

Now I do plan to watch the game because it's still the biggest game of the year, even if it might not be the best game of the year. But this isn't about football. For me as a music fan, the real spectacle and highlight usually comes at half time when in recent times the entertainment is provided by well known musical acts.

Some years are better than others and this year it's Madonna performing. I don't hate Madonna but I just don't see her as the right choice for the Super Bowl. But I'll watch it and make my assessment later. Maybe she'll surprise me.

To me the great entertainers of past Super Bowls were acts that own stadium shows. Bands like The Who, Bruce Springsteen and the E-Street Band, Prince and Michael Jackson.

When it comes down the worst performances, I can't help but single out the Black Eyed Peas, Christina Aguilera, Toni Braxton, Enrique Iglesias, Patti Labelle, Elvis Presto and the Winter Wonderland salute. Do a Google search for some of those performances if you don't believe me.

For me though, the absolute best and my most favourite performance at the Super Bowl came in 2002 at Super Bowl XXXVI when U2 took to the stage and not only gave a great performance but also an amazing tribute to all of the people who lost their lives during the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. Watching the seemingly endless list of names scroll up the screen behind the band was unbelievable but at the same time the exceptional playing of "Where the Street's Have No Name" was electric.

If you don't believe me, have a look at the video evidence below. Keep in mind, I'm a huge U2 fan from way back in my youth. I've also included my second favourite performance by Bruce Springsteen and the 1987 show for your enjoyment.

Prison Thriller

With the passing of Michael Jackson this week, there is a ton of Jackson's stuff showing up online or was hidden at one time and is now showing up again in popularity.

I don't know how I missed this one over the years but this is one of the coolest things I've ever seen. And when you consider the fact that the performers are actually prisoners in a Philippines prison courtyard, it's all the more awesome.

A few years back the 1,500 plus CPDRC inmates of the Cebu Provincial Detention and Rehabilitation Center, Cebu, Philippines got together and choreographed their own version of the Michael Jackson video Thriller and famous dance sequence. Below is the result.

By the way, they have also produced other shows to the music of Queen's Radio Ga Ga, Jump by the Pointer Sisters and many others. I guess that's one way to pass the time behind the walls. Somehow I can't see the same thing happening in a U.S. or Canadian prison.

The King Of Pop Is Dead

Shock, disbelief, sadness.

These are three of the words that came mind to describe what went through my mind earlier this evening when I was informed that Michael Jackson had passed away.

I can't add much more to all of the comments and reports heard tonight on news channels about his career, change in appearance over the years and legal issues. It's all be talked about ad nauseum.

From a personal stand point I can say that I have no problem putting aside all of the controversy that surrounded him over the years. To me, he was a musical and entertainment genius. Quite simply he was the Elvis Presley of my generation. I am proud to admit I was, am and always will be a Michael Jackson fan.

You may disagree but when I think of true musical legends and icons, three names come to mind...Frank Sinatra, Elvis Presley and Michael Jackson.

From wearing the single sequined glove to the first time we saw him moonwalk in 1983 during the Motown 25 performance of Billie Jean, he was one of a kind.

Here are the two music videos from Jackson and the legendary Thriller album that I believe changed pop music forever.

Billie Jean

Thriller