The Who Perform Super Bowl XLIV Halftime

One of rock's most treasured bands, the Who, performed a medley of hits for the Super Bowl XLIV halftime faithful. Guitarist Pete Townshend first appeared wearing all black, donning an acoustic guitar, and launched into 'Pinball Wizard.' After just a brief intro, the band segued into the classic 'Baba O'Riley,' with frontman Roger Daltrey surrounded by an onslaught of green lasers and Townshend bringing out his classic windmill guitar jam. The band even slowed the tempo down so the crowd could sing along at the moment Daltrey belts out "teenage wasteland" and "they're all wasted."

From there, the Who trudged through 'Who Are You,' which dissolved into a quick Townshend guitar solo, before closing with 'Won't Get Fooled Again.' Daltrey's vocals sounded gruff, but the band was on cue with their transitions. As far as halftime medley's go, this one was a standard set of rock radio staples.

The Who's performance follows a recent trend of tapping classic rock acts, since the infamous Janet Jackson/Justin Timberlake "wardrobe malfunction" of 2004. Since then, Paul McCartney, the Rolling Stones, Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, Prince and Bruce Springsteen have been safe choices to deliver hits to a worldwide audience. But that's not to say the Who's performance hasn't been subject of controversy: an Anti-Super Bowl campaign developed around the NFL's choice of Pete Townshend and Co., due to Townshend's previous alleged sexual offense related to child pornography (of which he said was related to book research). As the Super Bowl festivities got underway late last week, Townshend defended himself, saying, "If anybody has any doubts about whether I should be here or not, [they] should investigate a little bit further."

While nothing is confirmed, the Who are reportedly working on new studio material as well as a tour for 2010. But Who fans can catch Roger Daltrey this month, when he opens up for Eric Clapton on a select run of dates.

The Who on AOL Music