A slew of performances have been announced for the XL Super Bowl, from mega-rockers the Rolling Stones to hip-hop star Kanye West and local Motown legend Stevie Wonder. The big game will pit the Seattle Seahawks against the Pittsburgh Steelers, broadcast live on ABC from Detroit's Ford Field, on February 5th.
While the Rolling Stones will be headlining this year's half-time show, organizers have also rolled out a series of pre-game performances, also set for live broadcast, that pay respect to the Motor City's Motown roots. Stevie Wonder, who performed during halftime in 1999, will sing, with a number of younger soul artists joining him on his classics -- including Joss Stone, John Legend and India.Arie.
Aretha Franklin will also join New Orleans musicians Aaron Neville and Dr. John for the national anthem. Franklin and Neville, who sang the anthem at the 1990 Super Bowl in his hometown, will lend their pipes, while pianist John and a 150-person backing choir will accompany them.
Kicking off Super Bowl festivities will be one of Motown's biggest hit groups, the Four Tops, at the black-tie A Detroit Salute event on January 30th. Taking place at the Fox Theatre, the Super Bowl Host Committee event will give proceeds to the Greater Detroit Charitable Foundation.
Acts representing the city's other music styles have also been tapped for pre-game festivities.
Eminem's Shady Records label, home to rappers 50 Cent and the D12 crew, will host its own Super Bowl party on February 4th at the city's State Theatre. Tickets for the event, featuring Shady artists Obie Trice, Stat Quo and Bobby Clearwater -- Biz Markie is the night's DJ -- go on sale January 27. (No word whether Eminem, who recently made headlines for re-marrying his ex-wife Kim, will make a surprise appearance.)
The night before the Seahawks and Steelers duke it out for the national title, Jamie Foxx, Nelly and John Legend will join Motown acts the Four Tops and Martha Reeves and the Vandellas for the Motown Music Fest at Detroit's Masonic Temple. And Patti LaBelle, Mary Mary, Hezekiah Walker and Love Fellowship Choir will perform on February 3rd as part of the Super Bowl Gospel Celebration, now in its seventh year. The event began after NFL players suggested organizing a show that specifically highlighted gospel music.
Rap superstar Snoop Dogg and Southern rockers 3 Doors Down will perform February 3rd to 4th as part of the Bud Bowl at Tiger Stadium, while Kanye West, Nickelback, Train and the Goo Goo Dolls will play the sold-out Pepsi Smash Super Bowl Bash February 2nd at the State Theater.
