Journey guitarist Neal Schon recently proposed an all-rock lineup for the Super Bowl halftime show. This comes after Miley Cyrus was rumored to be the performer for the show.
Neal Schon wants Metallica and Journey performance
Taking to X, Schon suggested that three iconic Bay Area bands should perform together. He emphasized the regional connection and the need for musical diversity at the event.
“Who would like to see Journey Metallica, and Santana for halftime Super Bowl?” Schon said.
“Says they’re all Bay Area bands and is taking place in the Bay Area makes sense to me and they haven’t had a rock show in quite a long time.”
The guitarist continued his appeal for variety in the halftime entertainment.
“How about some diversity?” he added. “It’s like the same thing every year.”
Schon’s proposal emphasizes the lack of rock music representation in recent Super Bowl halftime shows and advocates for featuring local talent from the host area.
This isn’t the first time musicians from the Bay Area have expressed concerns about the absence of rock artists on the Super Bowl stage. The discussion about musical diversity at the halftime show has been ongoing, especially in regions with a rich rock heritage.
Carlos Santana has previously voiced his disappointment over the NFL and CBS excluding local Bay Area acts from the Super Bowl 50 halftime show. He mentioned that bands like Metallica, Steve Miller, and Journey would have “done the SF Bay Area proud” by providing “real live music and real live vocals” for the audience.
Super Bowl’s rock acts
Rock and roll has had an up and down relationship with the Super Bowl halftime stage. The NFL turned to classic rock legends in the mid-2000s after the infamous Justin Timberlake and Janet Jackson 2004 “wardrobe malfunction,” wanting ‘safer’ performers, which is ironic due to rock’s origins. In 2005, Paul McCartney brought Beatles classics like “Live and Let Die” to a massive global audience.
The following year, the Rolling Stones delivered a three-song set, and Prince’s 2007 performance was iconic. In 2009, Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band turned the halftime show into a full-on stadium rock revival, complete with sax solos. A year later, The Who blasted through “Pinball Wizard” and “Baba O’Riley.” It’s about time rock returned to the Super Bowl.
Who would like to see Journey Metallica, and Santana 💥for halftime Super Bowl ? Says they’re all Bay Area bands and is taking place in the Bay Area makes sense to me and they haven’t had a rock show in quite a long time. How about some diversity? It’s like the same thing every…
— NEAL SCHON MUSIC (@NealSchonMusic) September 26, 2025
