Unlike Springsteen, the Who have definitely shown their age in recent years. Daltrey is still a powerful frontman as he demonstrated on his solo tour last fall, but his voice hasn't aged well. Don't expect to hear that famous closing scream during "Won't Get Fooled Again." Townshend's hearing has become so damaged from all those years performing with the Guinness World record holders for loudest band in the world, that he often performs with acoustic guitars rather than electric these days. So I expect the Who's performance will be Tom Petty decent, but not quite Prince or Springsteen great.
Which brings us to next year. The betting line forms here for who you think may follow Townshend and company for the big game in 2011. Here are some possibilities to ponder before you lay your money down:
AC/DC: If I were a betting man, this is who I'd be putting my money on. The Aussie bad boys won't be the NFL's first choice, but I'm betting the Eagles turn them down again. AC/DC is the perfect alternative. They are classic rock icons, and their simple, chunky riffing fits the smashmouth mentality of football like a glove. Nothing says jockspeak quite like a song like "Big Balls" does (although they probably won't be allowed to play that one). Besides, there hasn't really been a bonafide hard rock act at the Superbowl since Kiss, right? If AC/DC is good enough for Walmart, they are good enough for football. Odds: Dead-even
The Eagles: Although I'm relatively certain the Eagles will turn them down again, I include them here on the off chance they'll actually say yes this year. After all, Springsteen finally did, right? What makes the Eagles such a no-brainer is the way they walk such a fine line between rock and country. You can't really go wrong with a safe bet like this. Everybody's happy, and by the time the first down of the third quarter is played, no one will remember what they just heard. Take it easy, indeed. Odds: 5-1
Kenny Chesney: Of course, if you want to go country, why not go all the way? Country music is still as American as apple pie, and well, the NFL itself, and Chesney's brand of twang plays more like a countrified version of big stadium rock anyway. The chicks dig him, all those guys who drive Ford pick-ups secretly want to be him, and as long as he stays as hot as he is, there's definitely going to be a Super Bowl in his future at some point. It probably won't be next year though. Odds: 15-1
Article comments
1 - Dr. Jimmy
I thought they would do some counter-programming this year, younger and female. Beyonce or Taylor Swift would've been good. Maybe the Black Eyed Peas next year.
2 - Glen Boyd
You know who I completely neglected to mention here is Bon Jovi. Talk about your jock-rockers! I'd put them right between AC/DC and The eagles at about a 3-1 favorite too.
-Glen
3 - Glen Boyd
I'll be damned...he actually sort of pulled off the scream. I'd bet money it was on tape though.
-Glen
4 - Dr. Jimmy
That was a pretty bad performance. They never really synched with the backing tapes, Daltrey's scream was obviously not done live and with no fan interaction (why were they kept so far away?) the energy and enthusiasm was minimal.
5 - Dr. Jimmy
Actually thinking about it a bit more, the game is in Texas next year so look out for Garth Brooks.
6 - Chris Loosley
Dr. Jimmy: "Taylor Swift would have been good". Spare us, please. You must not have heard her try to sing. The last time I looked at a poll, 92% said she couldn't.
7 - Glen Boyd
A bit easier on the eyes than Angus Young or the eagles though....
-Glen