The Super Bowl halftime show has become a spectacle almost as big as the game itself.

Millions of people around the world will tune in this year to watch Kendrick Lamar take the stage at Super Bowl LIX. Other artists who've performed in the past include Michael Jackson, Madonna, Prince, Paul McCartney, Beyoncé and Lady Gaga, just to name a few.

But the Super Bowl halftime shows haven't always been star-studded. Before the 1990s, the halftime entertainment usually consisted of marching bands and drill teams that you normally see at college football games.

The first Super Bowl was held at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in 1967. The halftime entertainment included trumpeter Al Hirt, a local high school drill team and the marching bands of Grambling State University and the University of Arizona. But the most memorable performers might have been the Bell Rocket Air Men flying around in jet packs.
The first Super Bowl was held at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in 1967. The halftime entertainment included trumpeter Al Hirt, a local high school drill team and the marching bands of Grambling State University and the University of Arizona. But the most memorable performers might have been the Bell Rocket Air Men flying around in jet packs.
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The New Christy Minstrels, a folk and pop group, were one of the performers during the Super Bowl halftime show in 1970. The game was held at Tulane Stadium in New Orleans, so the show's theme was tribute to Mardi Gras.
The New Christy Minstrels, a folk and pop group, were one of the performers during the Super Bowl halftime show in 1970. The game was held at Tulane Stadium in New Orleans, so the show's theme was tribute to Mardi Gras.
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Hirt plays the trumpet while Ella Fitzgerald sings at the Super Bowl in 1972. The show that year paid tribute to jazz legend Louis Armstrong, who died the year before.
Hirt plays the trumpet while Ella Fitzgerald sings at the Super Bowl in 1972. The show that year paid tribute to jazz legend Louis Armstrong, who died the year before.
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The halftime show in 1977 was produced by Disney, and the theme was "It's a Small World."
The halftime show in 1977 was produced by Disney, and the theme was "It's a Small World."
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A Mardi Gras-themed float is part of the show in 1981, which took place inside the Louisiana Superdome.
A Mardi Gras-themed float is part of the show in 1981, which took place inside the Louisiana Superdome.
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The crowd contributes a colorful background to the Super Bowl halftime show in 1983, which was held at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California.
The crowd contributes a colorful background to the Super Bowl halftime show in 1983, which was held at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California.
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The NFL switched things up in 1991, featuring popular boy band New Kids on the Block for the Super Bowl's 25th anniversary. But TV audiences didn't actually see the show until after the game because ABC showed a Gulf War news report instead.
The NFL switched things up in 1991, featuring popular boy band New Kids on the Block for the Super Bowl's 25th anniversary. But TV audiences didn't actually see the show until after the game because ABC showed a Gulf War news report instead.
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The "King of Pop," Michael Jackson, performed several of his hit songs in 1993. His performance is often credited with launching the tradition of blockbuster halftime shows.
The "King of Pop," Michael Jackson, performed several of his hit songs in 1993. His performance is often credited with launching the tradition of blockbuster halftime shows.
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A helicopter picks up Diana Ross after she headlined the Super Bowl halftime show in 1996.
A helicopter picks up Diana Ross after she headlined the Super Bowl halftime show in 1996.
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The 2001 halftime show brought together several stars from different musical genres. From left are Justin Timberlake, Aerosmith frontman Steven Tyler, Britney Spears and Nelly. Mary J. Blige also performed that year.
The 2001 halftime show brought together several stars from different musical genres. From left are Justin Timberlake, Aerosmith frontman Steven Tyler, Britney Spears and Nelly. Mary J. Blige also performed that year.
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A mural at the 2002 show honors those who died in the September 11 terrorist attacks.
A mural at the 2002 show honors those who died in the September 11 terrorist attacks.
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The 2004 show will forever be known for Janet Jackson's "wardrobe malfunction." Timberlake tore off a part of her clothing at the end of a song, revealing her right breast, and many people watching at home were outraged. The Federal Communications Commission ordered an investigation, and the NFL spent the next few years going with safer acts.
The 2004 show will forever be known for Janet Jackson's "wardrobe malfunction." Timberlake tore off a part of her clothing at the end of a song, revealing her right breast, and many people watching at home were outraged. The Federal Communications Commission ordered an investigation, and the NFL spent the next few years going with safer acts.
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Beatles great Paul McCartney performs at the Super Bowl halftime show in 2005.
Beatles great Paul McCartney performs at the Super Bowl halftime show in 2005.
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Rolling Stones frontman Mick Jagger dances during the 2006 halftime show.
Rolling Stones frontman Mick Jagger dances during the 2006 halftime show.
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Prince played at the Super Bowl in 2007, and a soggy day in south Florida provided the perfect backdrop for his song "Purple Rain."
Prince played at the Super Bowl in 2007, and a soggy day in south Florida provided the perfect backdrop for his song "Purple Rain."
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Bruce Springsteen rocks out with the E Street Band at the halftime show in 2009.
Bruce Springsteen rocks out with the E Street Band at the halftime show in 2009.
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Madonna, clad as a Roman goddess, is carried to the stage in 2012.
Madonna, clad as a Roman goddess, is carried to the stage in 2012.
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Katy Perry was a hit in 2015, but maybe not as much as "Left Shark," which quickly became a meme.
Katy Perry was a hit in 2015, but maybe not as much as "Left Shark," which quickly became a meme.
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Fans take part in the 2016 show at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, California. The colorful display reads "Believe in Love" during a performance that combined Bruno Mars, Beyonce and Coldplay.
Fans take part in the 2016 show at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, California. The colorful display reads "Believe in Love" during a performance that combined Bruno Mars, Beyoncé and Coldplay.
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Lady Gaga is suspended in the air while performing in Houston in 2017.
Lady Gaga is suspended in the air while performing in Houston in 2017.
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Shakira and Jennifer Lopez teamed up in 2020 when the game was played in south Florida.
Shakira and Jennifer Lopez teamed up in 2020 when the game was played in south Florida.
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Rihanna performs during the Super Bowl halftime show in 2023. She opened the show by hanging high above the field on a platform. She rubbed her abdomen during her closing song, sparking speculation that she might be expecting. After the performance, a Rihanna representative confirmed that she was pregnant.
Rihanna performs during the Super Bowl halftime show in 2023. She opened the show by hanging high above the field on a platform. She rubbed her abdomen during her closing song, sparking speculation that she might be expecting. After the performance, a Rihanna representative confirmed that she was pregnant.
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