Kendrick Lamar’s performance during the 2025 Super Bowl LIX halftime show took the world by storm, featuring deep symbolism, cultural references, and bold artistic choices. The performance became the most-watched Super Bowl halftime show in history, with 133.5 million viewers.
This makes one think back to how far the halftime show has evolved over the years. What began as a simple interlude that showcased college marching bands has transformed into a must-see grand event featuring performances by global superstars. In fact, the show now rivals the game itself in anticipation and spectacle, attracting millions of viewers beyond NFL fans watching the game.
In this article, we will explore the evolution of the Super Bowl halftime show, highlighting how it transformed from its humble beginnings into today’s extravaganza.
The Early Years: A Tradition of Marching Bands
The Super Bowl halftime show has undoubtedly become a global spectacle at the center of attention for millions of people. In fact, various elements of the show have entered the sports wagering market, offering unique prop bets with competitive odds, much like major sporting events such as the NFL, IPL betting, the FIFA World Cup, etc. However, today’s grand-scale performances with laser-lit pyrotechnic displays are a far cry from how they used to be in the early days of the Super Bowl.
When the first Super Bowl took place in 1967, the halftime show featured the marching bands of the University of Arizona and Grambling State University. This was a modest affair that focused on wholesome, family-friendly entertainment, mirroring the traditional halftime performances at typical football games.
Unlike today’s star-studded high-octane spectacles, these performances were known for their simplicity. Throughout the 1960s and 1970s, the show’s focus remained on marching bands, sometimes accompanied by drill teams, and notable musicians, singers, and performers like Al Hirt, Ella Fitzgerald, Carol Channing, and many others.
The 1980s: A Shift Toward Popular Entertainment
As you can imagine, marching band performance is not something most Super Bowl fans or viewers would consider a must-watch event. In fact, unlike today, most people consider the halftime show as a break to grab snacks or drinks, go to the bathroom, or do anything other than pay much attention to the performance.
This naturally resulted in reduced viewership, something that sparked the need for more engaging performances. So, in the 1980s, the shift toward more elaborate productions began as the organizers started incorporating more diverse acts. While marching bands were still very much present, more themed performances featuring novelty performers were seen. The “Up with People” performance, which offered a blend of music theater and positive messages, even became a recurring fixture during this era.
The 1990s: The Birth of the Modern Halftime Show with Michael Jackson’s Spectacular Performance
The transformative turning point for the Super Bowl halftime show came in the early 1990s when the organizers started making more bold and modern choices. In 1991, the show brought on the New Kids on the Block, the popular boy band group. This decision brought a pop sensibility to the stage, which soon ended the traditional marching band format of the show.
The true revolutionary breakthrough for the Super Bowl halftime show didn’t come until 1993, when Michael Jackson burst onto the stage and gave a truly iconic performance. After years of trying to find attention-grabbing shows to put up, the organizers of the Super Bowl finally found a simple solution —letting the king of pop do what he did best.
MJ’s electrifying performance with some of his greatest hits like “Billie Jean,” “Black or White,” and an impressive rendition of “Heal the World” not only captivated the live audience, it also drew an unprecedented television viewership. It resulted in 133.4 million US viewers, a record that was only recently broken three decades later by Kendrick Lamar’s iconic performance in 2025. This was the first time that the viewership during the halftime show drastically surpassed the ratings of the actual game.
Featuring a dazzling combination of elaborate synchronized choreography, pyrotechnics, and a medley of his greatest hits, Jackson’s iconic performance set a new standard for the show, cementing it as a must-watch event.
Today’s Grand Scale Performance
Following the incredible success of Jackson’s iconic performance, the Super Bowl organizer began courting the biggest names in the music industry to give performances during the halftime show. This resulted in the show becoming a battleground for global entertainment supremacy, featuring elaborate spectacles, state-of-the-art stage designs, intricate choreography, and dazzling visual effects.
Over the years, the halftime show of the Super Bowl has given us some of the greatest performances of all time, including:
- Prince (2007)
- Beyoncé (2013)
- Dr. Dre & Friends (2022)
- U2 (2002)
- Bruce Springsteen & the E Street Band 2009, and many others
Conclusion
There’s no denying the transformative evolution of the Super Bowl halftime game show from the humble beginnings of college marching bands. Today, the show is known for exceptional and extravagant performances by mega superstars. Millions of NFL fans and regular viewers are always in anticipation of what the next halftime performer has in store.
As we look to the future, we expect the evolution of the Super Bowl halftime performance to undoubtedly continue, marked by emerging technologies, cultural dynamics, and changing societal perspectives.
