A Metallica fan from Delaware, Ohio has launched an online petition to have the NFL book Metallica to play the halftime show at Super Bowl 50 next year.
The event will be held February 7, 2016 at Levi Stadium in the San Francisco Bay area city of Santa Clara, the backyard of Metallica’s home base.
Jason Long initiated the petiton; he writes: “For over 30 years Metallica has broken down walls and led from the front in the heavy metal/hard rock genre. They are the undisputed kings of heavy metal and responsible for bringing the art form into the homes of millions around the world. Nobody sought them out; they forced their way in and continue to be an unstoppable monster of sound and energy to this day. Their songs are anthems in NFL and major sports stadiums across the country.
“They've won Grammy's, they've headlined every festival around the globe from Glastonbury to Lollapalooza. They've sold over 110 million records worldwide and have a consecutive streak of #1 chart debuting albums that spans their last five full length releases. They were first ballot Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductees. Quite frankly, there's nothing they haven't done or accomplished which is why it is with zero trepidation that I make the bold statement that it is absolutely stupefying that these American pioneers of rock have not been involved with a Super Bowl halftime to date and it is time for that to change.
“Super Bowl 50, the biggest of all Super Bowls, just happens to be taking place in the home region (Northern California, San Francisco Bay area) of one of America's biggest and most legendary rock acts. The connection needs to happen; Metallica needs to be the musical act for Super Bowl 50.
“It's time. It's time for the sugar-pop and candy artists to step aside in favor of real American metal. It's time to put a band (you know, one that actually plays instruments and does it well) on the field and let them plug in and do their thing. We don't need pop-tarts on mechanical tigers giving us flash and no substance, we need amps and drums cranked up and played with power and emotion. It's time.
“Give America what it wants and needs. Metallica will not let you down. I guarantee it.”
To date, the petition has secured more than 20,000 signatures at Change.org
Katy Perry’s performance at Super Bowl 49 in Arizona earlier this month became the most-viewed halftime show in NFL history with 118.5 million viewers tuning in to see the pop star.
The NFL has steered clear of rockers in the past few years, focusing their attention on pop acts: the last rockers to play the event were The Who in 2010.
See also:
VIDEO: NHL’s San Jose Sharks host Metallica Night
Metallica drummer to appear in Radio Dreams movie
NHL’s San Jose Sharks to host Metallica Night
VIDEO: Metallica release Some Kind Of Monster reissue trailer
Search Metallica at hennemusic
