The 2017 Super Bowl will mark 26 years of the halftime show as we know it today, featuring a performance from Lady Gaga during the game between the Atlanta Falcons and the New England Patriots. Back in 1991, New Kids on the Block became the first contemporary pop act to perform as halftime entertainment during Super Bowl XXV. Big names like Michael Jackson, Diana Ross, Stevie Wonder and Gloria Estefan followed, and by the early 2000s, the gig had become especially star-studded, with multiple acts sharing the bill. That is, until 2004, when a certain wardrobe malfunction during Janet Jackson’s set ushered in a few years of more conservative performers like Paul McCartney and Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers. The show returned to pop in 2010 with the Black Eyed Peas, and since then divas like Madonna and Katy Perry have attracted some of the biggest halftime-show audiences in the game’s history. And in recent years, the show has provided a political platform—Beyoncé’s appearance in 2016 featured a visual homage to the Black Panthers, with her backup dancers wearing berets and black leather. Above, see how the spectacle has evolved through the ages.
New Kids On The Block perform during Super Bowl XXV on Jan. 27, 1991 in Tampa, Fla.Gin Ellis—Getty ImagesGloria Estefan performs during Super Bowl XXVI in Minneapolis, Minn. on Jan. 26, 1992. Bill Sikes—APMichael Jackson performs during Super Bowl XXVII on Jan. 31, 1993 in Pasadena, Calif.Steve Granitz—Getty ImagesFrom left: Wynonna Judd, Naomi Judd and Travis Tritt perform during Superbowl XXVII in Atlanta on Jan. 30, 1994.George Rose—Getty ImagesTony Bennett and Patti LaBelle perform during Super Bowl XXIX in Miami on Jan. 29, 1995.Doug Collier—Getty ImagesDiana Ross preforms during Super Bowl XXX on Jan. 28, 1996 in Tempe, Ariz.Focus on Sport/Getty ImagesFrom left: John Goodman, Dan Aykroyd, and Jim Belushi of The Blues Brothers perform with James Brown during Super Bowl XXXI on Sept. 6, 1997 in New Orleans.Jeff Kravitz—Getty ImagesSmokey Robinson and Martha Reeves perform during Super Bowl XXXII on Jan. 25, 1998 in San Diego.Al Messerschmidt Archive/APGloria Estefan and Stevie Wonder perform during Super Bowl XXXIII on Jan. 31, 1999 in Miami.Joe Traver—Getty ImagesPhil Collins performs during Super Bowl XXXIV in Atlanta on Jan. 30, 2000. Al Messerschmidt Archive/APFrom left: Justin Timberlake, Joey Kramer, Steven Tyler, Britney Spears, and Nelly perform during Super Bowl XXXV in Tampa, Fla. on Jan. 28, 2001. Al Messerschmidt Archive/APBono of U2 performs during Super Bowl XXXVI in New Orleans on Feb. 3, 2002. Kevin Mazur—Getty ImagesGwen Stefani of No Doubt and Sting perform during Super Bowl XXXVII in San Diego, Calif. on Jan. 26, 2003.Kevin Mazur—Getty ImagesJanet Jackson and Justin Timberlake perform during Super Bowl XXXVIII on Feb. 1, 2004 in Houston, Texas. Frank Micelotta—Getty ImagesPaul McCartney performs during Super Bowl XXXIX on Feb. 6, 2005 in Jacksonville, Fla.Frank Micelotta—Getty ImagesFrom left: Chuck Leavell, Ron Wood, Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, Charlie Watts, and Darryl Jones of the Rolling Stones perform during Super Bowl XL in Detroit, Mich. on Feb. 5, 2006.Kevin Mazur—Getty ImagesPrince performs during Super Bowl XLI in Miami on Feb. 4, 2007.David Eulitt—Getty ImagesTom Petty & the Heartbreakers perform during Super Bowl XLII on Feb. 3, 2008 in Glendale, Ariz.Jeff Kravitz—Getty ImagesBruce Springsteen and the E Street Band perform during Super Bowl XLIII on Feb. 1, 2009 in Tampa, Fla.Kevin Mazur—Getty ImagesThe Who perform during Super Bowl XLIV on Feb. 7, 2010 in Miami Gardens, Fla. Kevin Mazur—Getty ImagesThe Black Eyed Peas perform during Super Bowl XLV on Feb. 6, 2011 in Arlington, Texas.Jeff Kravitz—Getty ImagesNicki Minaj, Madonna and M.I.A. perform during Super Bowl XLVI on Feb. 5, 2012 in Indianapolis, Ind.Christopher Polk—Getty ImagesFrom left: Kelly Rowland, Beyoncé and Michelle Williams perform during Super Bowl XLVII on Feb. 3, 2013 in New Orleans.Ezra Shaw—Getty ImagesBruno Mars and the Red Hot Chili Peppers perform during Super Bowl XLVIII on Feb. 2, 2014 in East Rutherford, N.J.Elsa—Getty ImagesKaty Perry performs during Super Bowl XLIX on Feb. 1, 2015 in Glendale, Ariz.Kevin Mazur—Getty ImagesBeyoncé, Chris Martin of Coldplay, Bruno Mars, Mark Ronson and Guy Berryman of Coldplay perform during the Pepsi Super Bowl 50 Halftime Show at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif., on Feb. 7, 2016.Ezra Shaw—Getty Images
