Daltrey and Townshend to perform during Super Bowl

 Former American Idol and current Nashville superstar Carrie Underwood will perform the National Anthem just prior to tonight's Super Bowl game between the New Orleans Saints and the Indianapolis Colts.  The prestigious honor isn't new territory for alumni of the reality singing competition.  Underwood's performance marks the third straight year in a row that an Idol winner has performed prior to the big game.  Just last year, Jordin Sparks had the honor and Jennifer Hudson sang the year before that.  

Underwood also joins a relatively short list of Nashville recording artists who've taken on the anthem in previous years.  Charley Pride was the first country artist to be invited to sing, when he performed before Super Bowl VIII back in 1974.  It wasn't until Garth Brooks performed before 1993's Super Bowl XXVII that Nashville was once again represented. Faith Hill sang the National Anthem during the 2000 Super Bowl. The last time a country artist sang the National Anthem was when The DIxie Chicks performed prior to Super Bowl XXXVII in 2003. 

The only country act to have performed both before the big game is Faith Hill, who sang America The Beautiful instead of the anthem just last year. This year, in addition to Underwood's version of the anthem, Queen Latifah will take on America The Beautiful.  Vikki Carr offered the first pre-game version of this song back in 1977 at Super Bowl XI.  Ray Charles sang it in 2001 during Super Bowl XXXI.  Marc Anthony & Mary J. Blige duetted on the song at Super Bowl XXXVI, while Alicia Keys was the last to perform it during Super Bowl XXXIX.

As for the halftime entertainment, for the sixth year in a row--ever since the Janet Jackson/Justin Timerlake wardrobe debacle--the choice seems skewed toward and older crowd, and like the previous five years, there's only one name on the bill.  This year it's The Who, well, what's left of The Who.  The only two surviving members of The Who are lead vocalist, Roger Daltrey and lead guitarist and background vocalist Pete Townshend.  The legendary duo are expected to be backed by their current touring line-up which includes: Townshend's younger brother Simon on rhythm guitar and backing vocals, Pino Palladino on bass, Zak Starkey on drums and John Bundrick on keyboards and background vocals, The Who have released their planned set list, a medley of hits lead off by Baba O'Riley. They will then transition into Pinball Wizard and Tommy, Can You Hear Me?--both from their groundbreaking rock opera Tommy--and finish the set with Who Are You and Won't Get Fooled Again.

After the performance, the supergroup's performance will be available on Rock Band 2, where fan's can download the medley immediately following the game.  The Xbox 360 download will cost $1.99 (160 Microsoft Points), while the Nintendo Wii version will be available for $2 (200 Wii Points) for each song.  PlayStation 3 is expected to offer the tracks later in the week.