TOM PETTY TO PLAY SUPERBOWL HALF-TIME

Although the Eagles, Bruce Springsteen, and Norah Jones were rumored to be high on the list for the coveted Superbowl half-time slot, the gig goes to Tom Petty for reasons that might have to do with a corporate sponsorship by Japan's Bridgestone Tires.  Interesting, inasmuch as Petty is known to be fiercely against such sponsorships in rock music. His last album with the Heartbreakers, 2002's "The Last DJ," was a pointed assault on corporate greed. However, perhaps the size of the check won out.  Everyone has their price.

Petty announced his retirement from touring earlier this year.       

This year, nearly 140 million Americans watched Prince play at the football extravaganza. Other recent acts have included the Rolling Stones, Paul McCartney and U2, and the infamous Janet Jackson/Justin Timberlake pairing, which resulted in the infamous 'wardrobe malfunction' at the 2004 show, raising a national kerfuffel about televised smut.  Presumably, Mr. Petty will keep his clothing in place.
   

The National Football League's annual championship game will be held at the University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Arizona, near Phoenix.  The game will be televised world-wide and airs on February 3, 2008.