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SuperRiRi Bowl

And for the day that’s in it a celebration of half-time shows which we will name for this year the SuperRiRi Bowl.

But while it is now the hottest ticket in showbiz for an entertainer it wasn’t ever thus.

With marching bands, magic card tricksters and Elvis Presley impersonators then the order of the day.

Who back in 1979 entertained the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Dallas Cowboys at the Miami Orange Bowl.

We’ll get onto the superstars in due course but a shout-out for now for the likes of Dominican cadence-lypso group.

Super Bowl Thriller

Moonwalk in the park: Jacko

Super Bowl went on a run of musical themes over the Eighties and early Nineties.

Punctuated only by the likes of New Kids on the Block and Gloria Estefan.

The turning point came 30 years ago when the biggest star of his day (or for many any day) Michael Jackson rocked up.

It was a moment frozen in time, literally, as MJ held a statue pose for 30 seconds at the Rose Bowl, Pasadena in California.

Before blowing the audience away with his set.

And long after the Dallas Cowboys beat the Buffalo Bills in the final we’re still talking about Jacko’s show.

As with most things in music where Michael led the rest followed.

Chain Reaction

Flirty Diana: Ms Ross

His great friend Diana Ross headlined in Tempe, Arizona.

Before we entered the era of multiple acts for the 1997 showpiece in New Orleans.

Where we were treated to the Blues Brothers, ZZ Top and James Brown.

Super Bowl was in full swing by now and they celebrated 40 years of Motown in style in 1998 in San Diego.

With Boyz II Men, Smokey Robinson, Martha Reeves, and the Temptations getting everybody up on their feet.

Gloria was back the following year alongside Stevie Wonder to sing out the Millennium.

A new Millennium

The Boss: Bruce Springsteen

The 2002 iteration back in New Orleans was always going to be challenging in the wake of the previous year’s 9/11.

For many the Noughties were the high point of the halftime shows.

With Paul McCartney (Jacksonville), The Rolling Stones (Detroit), Prince (Miami) and Bruce Springsteen (Tampa) overshadowing for many the actual sport.

For others it was the last decade with The Who (Miami again), Madonna (Indianapolis), Beyoncé (New Orleans), Bruno Mars (New Jersey), Katy Perry (Phoenix) and Lady Gaga (Houston).

From J-Lo to Ri-Ri

Nailed it: Rihanna

This decade has seen a concentration on R&B, Dance and Hip-Hop.

With Shakira and J-Lo heralding in the Twenties in Miami before The Weeknd put on a spectacular set up the road in Tampa.

Last year in LA saw a feast of rap if that’s the collective term with Dr Dre, Snoop, Eminem, Mary J Blige and Kendrick Lamar leaving us all wanting more.

That more tonight comes in the shape of our favourite Caribbean queen.

Enjoy your SuperRiRi Bowl.