Well, the nation's premier TV event of the year, the Super Bowl, took place last night. At halftime, the biggest question in viewers' minds was not whether the Saints could rally from a 10-6 deficit. It was who are those really old guys singing on stage?
Turns out it was Roger Daltrey and Pete Townshend, the last surviving members of an ancient rock band called The Who that first performed for King Louis XIV of France. This continued the NFL's hallowed tradition of booking geriatric acts for its half-time show, a tradition that has included such musical legends as Paul McCartney, the Rolling Stones, Glenn Miller, George Gershwin, and Ludwig von Beethoven.
The highlight of the show was the band's reprise of their landmark hit, "My Generation," most of whom are dead by now. The updated lyrics brought the Grump to tears.
Can't stand up after I sit down
Talking 'bout my generation
Use a scooter to get around
Talking 'bout my generation
Don't remember the words to tunes
Talking 'bout my generation
Guess I'll eat a few more prunes
Talking 'bout my my generation, baby
Sounds like you just f-f-f-fade away
Talking 'bout my generation
Can't hear a single word you say
I don't know but I been told
Talking 'bout my generation
I didn't die, I just got old.
The true irony of the show is when they sang, "Who are you? Who? Who? Who? Who?", most people watching really did wanna know. Who are those guys?
No matter. The NFL was so pleased that both geezers managed to get through the set without grabbing their sides and collapsing on the floor that they've gone ahead and signed another time-honored group for next year's Super Bowl.
Give it up for "Edgar Allen Poe & the Ravens."
