by It was January 31st, 1993. The Dallas Cowboys were taking on the Buffalo Bills in Super Bowl XXVII at the Rose Bowl stadium in Pasadena, California. Over 98,000 fans packed into the stands, while over 133 million more tuned in on TV across the United States and around the world. As the players headed to the locker rooms for halftime, the stage was set for one of the most watched and talked about Super Bowl halftime shows of all time. Michael Jackson was about to take center stage and deliver an electrifying, high energy performance that would go down in music history.
Jackson’s Super Bowl XXVII halftime show came at the height of his massive Dangerous World Tour that spanned 69 concerts across three continents. It also coincided with the release of his eighth studio album, Dangerous, which featured hits like “Black or White” and “Remember the Time.” The Super Bowl performance provided the perfect venue for Jackson to showcase his talents to a global audience.
As spectators in the Rose Bowl stadium eagerly awaited the start of the show, the stadium lights dimmed and a 60-second video montage showing highlights from Jackson’s career flashed across screens. An announcer proclaimed “And now, the moment the world has been waiting for…” as Jackson catapulted onto stage to launch into a high-octane medley of his smash hits.
Dressed in a gold and black military-style jacket and aviator sunglasses, Jackson thrilled the crowd with renditions of “Jam,” “Billie Jean,” “Black or White” and “Why You Wanna Trip on Me.” His energy was electric as he showcased his legendary dance moves, including the moonwalk, much to the crowd’s delight.
Joining Jackson on stage were a crew of backup dancers, choreographed by Jackson’s longtime collaborators. Their complex dance formations and synchronicity accentuated the performance. Jackson also incorporated video elements and pyrotechnics into the show, with giant screens projecting clips and images behind him as he danced. Flames and fireworks shot up at key moments for dramatic effect.
One of the highlights was a special appearance by Jackson’s sister Janet Jackson. The musical duo performed a playful duet of Janet’s 1989 hit “That’s the Way Love Goes,” showcasing their chemistry and talents.
The King of Pop closed out the monumental 12-minute halftime show with a message of unity, as he led an ensemble performance of his megahit “Heal the World” while surrounded by a choir of 3,500 local Los Angeles children. It reinforced Jackson’s humanitarian efforts and carried a poignant call for positive change.
Jackson’s Super Bowl XXVII halftime show was a ratings smash, gaining the highest TV viewership ever at that point in history. The performance itself was lauded by critics as a creative triumph and a new standard for Super Bowl entertainment.
In a 1993 interview with Oprah Winfrey, Jackson described the experience as “one of the proudest moments for me and my family.” He explained, “I just wanted to do something, you know, to make people happy…To bring all races together through music. To showcase that through dance.”
The King of Pop’s wishes were granted that night at the Rose Bowl. His legendary performance brought together people of different backgrounds and ages through the unifying power of music. It showed the magic that Jackson could create on stage which cemented his status as the greatest entertainer of his era.
In the three decades since that unforgettable night in Pasadena, Super Bowl halftime shows have become more elaborate than ever. But no performance has truly matched the energy, creativity and spectacle that Michael Jackson delivered at Super Bowl XXVII. It remains the standard by which all others are measured.
The iconic show also came at a pivotal point in Jackson’s storied career. His sweeping world tour and hit album Dangerous had returned him to peak popularity after a brief lull in the late 80’s. The Super Bowl show gave him an enormous platform to re-announce himself as the King of Pop and the world’s biggest superstar.
Looking back, Jackson’s Super Bowl XXVII performance re-established his place at the cutting edge of live entertainment and performance technology. It paved the way for other musicians’ Super Bowl shows incorporating complex choreography, special effects and high concept staging.
Beyond the performance itself, the show helped Jackson forge new commercial partnerships and opportunities. Sales of his music catalog surged afterward, along with demand for everything from posters to collector’s items tied to the historic show.
Footage of the Super Bowl performance also went on to appear in several of Jackson’s music videos and concert films over the next decade. Clips have been used in countless TV shows, films and commercials celebrating Super Bowl history and pop culture.
On a more personal level, Jackson considered the Super Bowl XXVII show the proudest live moment of his career. He relished the challenge of putting together an innovative halftime show and delivering for the massive global audience.
In his memoir Moonwalk, Jackson recalled spending several weeks in intense planning, production meetings and rehearsals to map out every minute of the performance. He strived to create something new and memorable, combining his signature dance moves with theatrics and special effects that had never been done at the Super Bowl.
The effort and preparation invested clearly paid off, as Jackson managed to pull off a flawless spectacle of song and dance that wowed critics and fans alike. The show cemented his reputation as the consummate live performer of his era on one of music’s grandest stages.
So much has changed in pop music and culture in the 30 years since that bright January day at the Rose Bowl. But Michael Jackson’s 1993 Super Bowl halftime show remains an unforgettable and iconic moment in entertainment history. It serves as a reminder of his otherworldly talent and magnetic stage presence that mesmerized audiences worldwide.
