Why do they have an ancient band playing at the super bowl halftime show?

Because Tom Petty has good songs, songs that are big hits and not pieces of crap like Kanye West's.

Tom Petty is still big today even after his glory days of the 80s are long gone. I bet my life savings you won't hear people talk about the crap that's being played today 10 years from now.

EDIT- IMO the best Halftime show was Michael Jackson before all hell broke loose in 1993 with him and the scandals he's been involved in. It was an anticipated performance, his album Dangerous was on top of the charts, he had a tour about to start and he was still on top of the world. To this date, it is one, if not thee most watched super bowl half time shows ever.

U2's was great because it was right after 9/11 and the way they did it was great. Prince was ok.. Paul McCartney meh, the Stones.....boring.

Aerosmith was great but they should have done it by themselves.

I like Tom Petty and I'm looking forward to seeing him perform.

I hear they also have Paula Abdul.

But does it really matter? First of all only half the audience will actually see the performance live (the rest will see people's banks or the back of a stage wall). Those that can see the performance with need aid because everyone on the field will look very tiny. Eveneryone will be looking at monitors. Then the sound will be so bad, nobody will recognize even the most well known songs. It will sound like a dog whining no matter who plays.

I say put the 22 best high school players in the U.S. together and let them play each other in an old style 20 minute scrimmage. What I mean is football use to be an eleven man team. For instance, the quarterback would also play safety.

1) People with money go to the Super Bowl.

2) People with money and at the SuperBowl are mostly in their 30'3 and 40's.

3) Tom Petty is a rock n' roll icon and will do a great show.

4) And no one that likes music wants to see Kanye West or Rihanna do anything.

Paul McCartney did the best half time show I've ever seen. The Stones may have stunk it up but I think Tom Petty will do pretty well. The Super Bowl isn't about selling records. It's about Football. I'd rather see a real man like Tom Petty up there then any of the current junk on radio rotation right now.

Tom Petty is not ancient (maybe to you because you're probably in your teens); but he's been around for a while and the majority of adults (30+) know of this band; so because of that we (the adults) rule (for now anyway)!

Just think, when we were in our 20's, they had acts like the Ray Coniff singers at the Super Bowl! See my point?

I don't even know of a Kanye West or Rihanna song and personally I don't want to know!

By the way, Tom Petty is in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and is pretty awesome of a performer.

Well, the Rolling Stones was the most ancient band ever to play in Super Bowl.. Anyway, Tom Petty isn't as old as the Granpa Rolling Stones. But Tom Petty can rock and he can play live..

Absolutely disagree. Loves the older classic rock and roll. Tommy Petty will put on a great show. The majority of the SB crowd in the stadium and the majority watching on TV are not going to be Kanye West or rap fans in general.

I think ever since the Janet Jackson and Justin Timberlake incident of 2004, the NFL has decided it would be safer to go with some older groups. I mean since then it's been Paul McCartney, Rolling Stones, Prince, and now Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers.

I always thought the best Half Time Show was when U2 performed the SB after 9/11 (2002 Rams and Pats). That performance was the best Half Time show I have ever seen. You gotta love the whole idea to remember those who lost their lives to one of the worst days in US history that U2 brought to the table. U2 always seems to appeal to most people in some way or another. They always have unforgettable performances (Live Aid, Fall of Berlin Wall, etc.). They find a way to bring people together. At this point in time, I think this country needs a little of that again. My vote goes to U2 for an encore performance. Thumbs up to those who agree.

At least Tom Petty band will be able to play the instruments. The Rolling Stones were so bad, I had to turn it off. The sound was awful, and the playing was worse. Look at the brightside, maybe Stevie Nicks will join for a duet and have a breakdown.....