Game Time: A History of Super Bowl Performers
Missy Elliott's songs top the charts again, and more.
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Missy Elliott, Lenny Kravitz, John Legend and Katy Perry - This year's Super Bowl brought in record ratings, and the musical performances were certainly part of the draw. John Legend opened with a rendition (vocally and on the piano) of the national anthem and Katy Perry brought out Lenny Kravitz and Missy Elliott for her halftime set. It was such a spectacular showing, in fact, that afterwards fans moved three of Missy's timeless songs (released more than a decase ago) to the top of the iTunes charts the following day.Read on for other esteemed game time acts.(Photo: Christopher Polk/Getty Images)
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Ella Fitzgerald - Always one to pave the way, Ms. Ella took the stage during the halftime show of Super Bowl VI in New Orleans in1972 — making her the first African-American artist to perform on the big stage.(Photo: George Konig/Keystone/Getty Images)
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Diana Ross - Diana Ross sang the national anthem in her home state of Michigan at Super Bowl XVI in 1982 and was later tapped to perform at the halftime show during Super Bowl XXX in Tempe, Ariz.(Photo: Al Bello/Allsport/Getty Images)
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Wynton Marsalis - The New Orleans Jazz Man performed the national anthem in his hometown for Super Bowl XX back in 1986.(Photo: Michael Loccisano/Getty Images for HBO)
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Whitney Houston - Accompanied by the Florida Orchestra, Whitney Houston put her golden pipes to work and sang the national anthem before Super Bowl XXV in Tampa.(Photo: George Rose/Getty Images)
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Gloria Estefan - Gloria Estefan is one of several artists to have performed on the big show more than once. She did a medley of her hits for Super Bowl XXVI at Minneapolis' Metrodome in 1992 and then teamed up with Stevie Wonder, Chaka Khan and others seven years later.(Photo: Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
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Michael Jackson - Michael Jackson made the Super Bowl halftime show what it is today. Performing his classic "Billie Jean" as well as singles from his then more recent album, Dangerous, Super Bowl XXVII's stage in Pasadena in 1993 was his. Ratings for MJ's performance surpassed ratings for the game.(Photo: George Rose/Getty Images)
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Natalie Cole - Natalie Cole, daughter of the legendary Nat King Cole, sang the national anthem at Atlanta's Georgia Dome for Super Bowl XXVIII. (Photo: George Rose/Getty Images)
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Teddy Pendergrass - Teddy Pendergrass did his thing alongside Tony Bennett and the Miami Sound Machine during the halftime of Super Bowl XXIX in 1995.(Photo: Retna UK/Landov)
Photo By Photo: Retna UK/Landov
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Vanessa Williams - Vanessa Williams sang the national anthem for Super Bowl XXX in Tempe, Ariz. in 1996.(Photo: Mike Powe/Getty Images)
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Luther Vandross - At New Orleans' Superdome for Super Bowl XXI in 1997, Luther Vandross put his beautiful voice on display for the national anthem. (Photo: Stephen Dunn/Getty Images)
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Boyz II Men - Boyz II Men was part of a star-studded lineup to celebrate Motown's 40-year Anniversary for Super Bowl XXXII's halftime show. Smokey Robinson, Queen Latifah and Martha Reeves were also part of the performance.(Photo: George Rose/Getty Images)
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Mariah Carey - Mariah Carey sang the national anthem for Super Bowl XXXVI in 2002, when the New England Patriots defeated the St. Louis Rams. (Photo: Theo Wargo/Getty Images)
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Aaron Neville - Aaron Neville and Aretha Franklin joined forces to perform the national anthem at Super Bowl XL in 2006 in Detroit. (Photo: Brian Bahr/Getty Images)
Photo By Photo: Brian Bahr/Getty Images
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Savion Glover - Savion Glover tapped his way onto the stage during the Soul, Swing and Salsa tribute during the halftime of the Super Bowl in 1999. (Photo: Robert Pitts/Landov)
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Chaka Khan - Chaka Khan was part of the Soul, Swing and Salsa tribute alongside Stevie Wonder, Savion Glover and Gloria Estefan for Super Bowl XXXIII in 1999.(Photo: Leon Bennett/BET/Getty Images for BET)
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Stevie Wonder - Stevie Wonder stood out even among stars during the Super Bowl XXXIII Halftime Show.(Photo: Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
Photo By Photo: Jamie Squire/Getty Images
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Toni Braxton - Toni Braxton performed as part of a star-studded lineup that included Christina Aguilera and Phil Collins for Super Bowl XXXIV in Atlanta in 2000.(Photo: Doug Pensinger/Getty Images)
Photo By Photo: Doug Pensinger/Getty Images
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Mary J. Blige - MJB was part of the Kings of Rock and Pop lineup alongside 'NSYNC, Britney Spears, Nelly and Aerosmith for Super Bowl XXXV in Tampa in 2001.(Photo: Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic/Getty Images)
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Nelly - Like he bragged about in his song "#1," Nelly topped the Super Bowl when he took the stage during Halftime Show in 2001. (Photo: Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic/Getty Images)
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Justin Timberlake and Janet Jackson - Janet Jackson and Justin Timberlake joined for an unforgettable Super Bowl halftime performance in 2004. Pairing up the two pop stars seemed like a brilliant idea, and then came the infamous "wardrobe malfunction."(Photo: Donald Miralle/Getty Images)
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Diddy - Diddy was part of nipplegate — sort of. The Bad Boy maestro performed the same year as Janet Jackson and Justin Timberlake.(Photo: Frank Micelotta/Getty Images)
Photo By Photo: Frank Micelotta/Getty Images
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Prince - Prince took the stage with the Florida A&M University Marching Band for the Halftime Show of XLI in 2007. He performed classics like "Purple Rain" and "Let's Go Crazy."(Photo: Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)
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Jordin Sparks - Jordin Sparks sang the national anthem in Glendale, Ariz., in 2008 prior to kickoff. (Photo: Theo Wargo/WireImage/Getty Images)
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Jennifer Hudson - Jennifer Hudson sang the national anthem for Super Bown XLIII in Tampa in 2009.(Photo: Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
Photo By Photo: Jamie Squire/Getty Images
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James Brown - The Godfather of Soul James Brown shared stage time with the Blues Brothers and ZZ Top for Super Bowl XXXI in '97.(Photo: AP Photo/Mark Duncan, File)
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Martha Reeves - Former Motown recording artist Martha Reeves also performed during the Motown tribute at Super Bowl XXXII.(Photo: Al Messerschmidt/Getty Images)
Photo By Photo: Al Messerschmidt/Getty Images
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Smokey Robinson - The ageless Smokey Robinson performed during the Motown tribute.(Photo: Al Messerschmidt/Getty Images)
Photo By Photo: Al Messerschmidt/Getty Images
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The Temptations - The Temptations were another part of the celebrated tribute to Motown in 1998.(Photo: CBS/Landov)
Photo By Photo: CBS/Landov
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Christina Aguilera - Christina Aguilera belted the national anthem prior to Super Bowl XLV in 2011. (Photo: Tony Bartone/PictureGroup)
Photo By Tony Bartone/PictureGroup
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