The Super Bowl Heartbreakers

For me, again, the Super Bowl wasn't so super. No, "my" team didn't lose. I don't even have a team anymore; not since the Los Angeles Rams skipped town back in 1995 for greener pastures in St. Louis. Maybe that's the real crux of the matter?

The Super Bowl commercials weren't as up-to-par as in past years either. Considering Advertisers shelled out $2.7 million per 30-second slot, the pickings were pretty slim. Highlights included Will Ferrell shooting a Bud commercial and the Screaming Stain in the Tide ad.

However, the Super Bowl Halftime show was indeed, super! Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers rocked the dump!

Ever since the Nipple Bowl with Janet Jackson and her accomplice Justine Timberlake in 2004, the halftime entertainment has been outstanding. Last year it was Prince (or The-Artist Formerly-Known-As-Prince) playing in the rain, the year before that was the Rolling Stones playing on their iconic tongue logo starting us up and in 2005, they redeemed themselves by scoring a coup with the one and only Sir Paul. It doesn't get any better than that.

The legendary Band took to their heart-shaped stage (pierced with a "Flying V" guitar) greeted by a thunderous ovation. The Band played the first few notes and everyone knew it was an "American Girl", circa 1976; the first of many classics in their long and illustrious career. Tom and the Heartbreakers show no sign of letting up either as they prepare for a new tour starting this May.

Surrounded by screaming fans that soon pulled out there souvenir miniature lighters, they created a mini universe of stars under the dome of the University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Arizona.

The pulsating "I Won't Back Down" was followed by the floating imagery of "Free Fallin'". With the crowd still singing along, the rockin' "Runnin' Down a Dream" (a personal favorite) capped off the all too short set. This was one time the duration of the halftime show and game could have switched with no ill will from me.

Tom was supported by the ever proficient original Heartbreakers Mike Campbell, Benmont Tench and Ron Blair. Mike played a scorching solo on the "Dream", challenging anyone to remain in their seat if they could.

All-in-all, apart from the fourth quarter of the game, the Super Bowl was simply made super by our boy from Gainesville, Florida and his Heartbreakers. They're better than ever and still very capable of Makin' Some Noise!

Copyright 2008 by Russell Waterman

All Rights Reserved