Tom Petty rocks halftime show
By Rob Longley
CANOE - February 4, 2008

GLENDALE, Ariz. - He's no Mick Jagger and the Boys (two years ago) or even Prince (last year) but Tom Petty rocked out the Super Bowl halftime show rather nicely.

It certainly livened up the proceedings after a dull first half in Super Bowl XLII, which saw the New England Patriots clinging to a 7-3 halftime lead.

Performing on a funky guitar-shaped stage, Petty opened with one of his classics, American Girl, to the delight of the sellout crowd at University of Phoenix Stadium and a made-up mosh pit of young Phoenix-area kids.

From there, Petty moved into another of his greatest hits, "Won't Back Down," which got the crowd into the action.

Next up was the audience participation portion of the program with a rousing rendition of "Free Fallin'" accented by some indoor fireworks.

Everyone in attendance was issued miniature flashlights to wave along throughout the show.

And for his finale, Petty rocked out to Runnin' Down A Dream.

The most amazing part of the Super Bowl halftime show, without fail, is just how quickly the hundreds of roadies can set up and take down the temporary stage.