See the Evolution of the Super Bowl Halftime Show

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Updated: | Originally published: ;

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 at Tampa Stadium on Jan. 27, 1991 in Tampa, Fla.
New Kids On The Block perform during Super Bowl XXV on Jan. 27, 1991 in Tampa, Fla.Gin Ellis—Getty Images
Gloria Estefan performs during Super Bowl XXVI in Minneapolis, Minn. on Jan. 26, 1992. (AP Photo/Bill Sikes)
Gloria Estefan performs during Super Bowl XXVI in Minneapolis, Minn. on Jan. 26, 1992. Bill Sikes—AP
Michael Jackson performs during Super Bowl XXVII on Jan. 31, 1993 in Pasadena, Calif.
Michael Jackson performs during Super Bowl XXVII on Jan. 31, 1993 in Pasadena, Calif.Steve Granitz—Getty Images
From left: Wynonna Judd, Naomi Judd and Travis Tritt perform during Superbowl XXVII in Atlanta on Jan. 30, 1994.
From left: Wynonna Judd, Naomi Judd and Travis Tritt perform during Superbowl XXVII in Atlanta on Jan. 30, 1994.George Rose—Getty Images
Tony Bennett and Patti LaBelle during Super Bowl XXIX in Miami on Jan. 29, 1995.
Tony Bennett and Patti LaBelle perform during Super Bowl XXIX in Miami on Jan. 29, 1995.Doug Collier—Getty Images
Diana Ross preforms during Super Bowl XXX on Jan. 28, 1996 in Tempe, Ariz.
Diana Ross preforms during Super Bowl XXX on Jan. 28, 1996 in Tempe, Ariz.Focus on Sport/Getty Images
From 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.
From 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 Images
Smokey Robinson and Martha Reeves perform during Super Bowl XXXII on Jan. 25, 1998 in San Diego.
Smokey Robinson and Martha Reeves perform during Super Bowl XXXII on Jan. 25, 1998 in San Diego.Al Messerschmidt Archive/AP
Gloria Estefan and Stevie Wonder perform during Super Bowl XXXIII on Jan. 31, 1999 in Miami.
Gloria Estefan and Stevie Wonder perform during Super Bowl XXXIII on Jan. 31, 1999 in Miami.Joe Traver—Getty Images
Phil Collins performs during Super Bowl XXXIV in Atlanta on Jan. 30, 2000.
Phil Collins performs during Super Bowl XXXIV in Atlanta on Jan. 30, 2000. Al Messerschmidt Archive/AP
From left: Justin Timberlake, Joey Kramer, Steven Tyler, Britney Spears, and Nelly perform during Super Bowl XXXV in Tampa, Fla. on Jan. 28, 2001.
From 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/AP
Bono of U2 performs during Super Bowl XXXVI in New Orleans on Feb. 3, 2002.
Bono of U2 performs during Super Bowl XXXVI in New Orleans on Feb. 3, 2002. Kevin Mazur—Getty Images
Gwen Stefani of No Doubt and Sting perform during Super Bowl XXXVII in San Diego, Calif. on Jan. 26, 2003.
Gwen Stefani of No Doubt and Sting perform during Super Bowl XXXVII in San Diego, Calif. on Jan. 26, 2003.Kevin Mazur—Getty Images
Janet Jackson and Justin Timberlake perform during Super Bowl XXXVIII on Feb. 1, 2004 in Houston, Texas.
Janet Jackson and Justin Timberlake perform during Super Bowl XXXVIII on Feb. 1, 2004 in Houston, Texas. Frank Micelotta—Getty Images
Paul McCartney performs during Super Bowl XXXIX on Feb. 6, 2005 in Jacksonville, Fla.
Paul McCartney performs during Super Bowl XXXIX on Feb. 6, 2005 in Jacksonville, Fla.Frank Micelotta—Getty Images
From 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.
From 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 Images
Prince performs during Super Bowl XLI in Miami on Feb. 4, 2007.
Prince performs during Super Bowl XLI in Miami on Feb. 4, 2007.David Eulitt—Getty Images
Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers perform during Super Bowl XLII on Feb. 3, 2008 in Glendale, Ariz.
Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers perform during Super Bowl XLII on Feb. 3, 2008 in Glendale, Ariz.Jeff Kravitz—Getty Images
Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band perform during Super Bowl XLIII on Feb. 1, 2009 in Tampa, Fla.
Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band perform during Super Bowl XLIII on Feb. 1, 2009 in Tampa, Fla.Kevin Mazur—Getty Images
The Who perform during Super Bowl XLIV on Feb. 7, 2010 in Miami Gardens, Fla.
The Who perform during Super Bowl XLIV on Feb. 7, 2010 in Miami Gardens, Fla. Kevin Mazur—Getty Images
The Black Eyed Peas perform during Super Bowl XLV on Feb. 6, 2011 in Arlington, Texas.
The Black Eyed Peas perform during Super Bowl XLV on Feb. 6, 2011 in Arlington, Texas.Jeff Kravitz—Getty Images
Nicki Minaj, Madonna and M.I.A. perform during Super Bowl XLVI on Feb. 5, 2012 in Indianapolis, Ind.
Nicki Minaj, Madonna and M.I.A. perform during Super Bowl XLVI on Feb. 5, 2012 in Indianapolis, Ind.Christopher Polk—Getty Images
From left: Kelly Rowland, Beyoncé and Michelle Williams perform during Super Bowl XLVII on Feb. 3, 2013 in New Orleans.
From left: Kelly Rowland, Beyoncé and Michelle Williams perform during Super Bowl XLVII on Feb. 3, 2013 in New Orleans.Ezra Shaw—Getty Images
Bruno Mars and the Red Hot Chili Peppers perform during Super Bowl XLVIII on Feb. 2, 2014 in East Rutherford, N.J.
Bruno Mars and the Red Hot Chili Peppers perform during Super Bowl XLVIII on Feb. 2, 2014 in East Rutherford, N.J.Elsa—Getty Images
Katy Perry performs during Super Bowl XLIX on Feb. 1, 2015 in Glendale, Ariz.
Katy Perry performs during Super Bowl XLIX on Feb. 1, 2015 in Glendale, Ariz.Kevin Mazur—Getty Images
Beyoncé, 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.
Beyoncé, 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

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