U2 was the best, still had a party(beautiful day), MLK/Streets was the perfect tribute to the 9/11 victims. Anyone who sees arrogance or conceit or a desire to suck up all the post 9/11 attention by Bono is frankly an idiot. The stupidity behind that comment was mindblowing. Have you even watched their other 9/11 memorials?? It was not like Bono ran around a church at the National prayer service to honor the victims on 9/14. Its a SUPERBOWL HALFTIME SHOW. I would say Bono is confident for sure, but that is a general trait, not a description of the halftime performance he turned in. The goal, at that time was to provide a mix of entertainment and rememberance/reflection, which U2 did perfectly. MLK was the reflective prayer, as was Streets intro, when the main riff broke out, that was the cathartic tribute. What was Bono supposed to do, stand there and not even try to entertain? I dont know how anyone can, given what we hear about other celebrities, assert that Bono is some kind of disingenuous attention grabber seeking to capitalize on the suffering of millions(hes not Rudy Giuliani!!). We all should know better than to say such things here, as we know the most about U2. How many other frontmen thank their fans specifically for giving them the wonderful lives they have? How many people as famous as Bono use their fame, their time, and their money to bring to the attention of the world the suffering of those who have no voice?
If Bono had such a big ego, U2 would no longer be together, Sting, David Lee Roth, The Beatles- thats where you will find ego. Lets get serious, when has Bono ever suggested, through his words or actions, any more than any other person, that he his God's gift to humanity?? Does he make his life seem more important than everyone elses through giving tours of his house to MTV, through having his own Reality TV show, through judging American idol, or through any other crazy menas other famous people employ to stay relevant? In fact, alot of the desire to be applauded, according to Bono himself, stems from insecurity, not ego. He has said something to the efect of "you'd have to be a little unsure of yourself/crazy to not have fulfillment w/o 20K screaming fans every night." Again, anyone who can get ego/arrogance/stealing the spotlight from victims out of U2's performance has truly gone soft.
Back on topic: Bruce was spectacular, though his voice was off as others have said! Easily in second place for me: 1.)U2
2.)Bruce/E Street
3.)Tom Petty
4.)Prince
LOADS OF SPACE. THE PREVIOUS ONES ARE PRETTY CLOSE TOGETHER AFTER U2.
5.)McCartney
6.)Stones