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Wardrobe malfunction and other memorable Super Bowl halftimes

Coldplay tries to make its mark before 100 million people Sunday at halftime of the Super Bowl. Here are five of the most memorable shows:

• Michael Jackson, 1993: Gave birth to the spectacle of today, relegating the marching bands and Rockettes to Super Bowl history. Truth be told, it wasn't one of his finest moments. The dancing was great; the lip-syncing wasn't. He spent nearly two baffling minutes standing immobile, absorbing cheers. The big-stage template has been followed ever since, though.

• U2, 2002: At the first Super Bowl following the 2001 terrorist attacks, U2 performed "Where the Streets Have No Name" as a giant scrim behind them unfurled names of the Sept. 11 victims. Bono opening his jacket to reveal the Stars & Stripes sewn into the lining was a spine-tingling moment.

• Janet Jackson, 2004: This sprawling, MTV-produced show also featured P. Diddy, Nelly, Kid Rock and Justin Timberlake. All were forgotten when Timberlake sang, "gonna have you naked by the end of this song," and almost delivered, tearing off part of Jackson's costume to reveal her bare breast. Introduced the phrase "wardrobe malfunction" to the popular lexicon and launched months of hand-wringing.

• Prince, 2007: For sheer musical mastery, this is hard to beat. Prince effortlessly mixes Bob Dylan's "All Along the Watchtower," Queen's "We Will Rock You" and Foo Fighters' "Next to You" with his own stellar songs. His guitar solo on "Purple Rain" was an epic moment.

• Bruno Mars, 2014: Mars' booking symbolized an NFL effort to recruit acts at their peak. Many people thought Mars didn't have the star power, but from his opening drum solo on "Locked Out of Heaven" and his collaboration with the Red Hot Chili Peppers to the lovely "Just the Way You Are," he bristled with energy and presence.

­- David Bauder, Associated Press

Michael Jackson's 1993 performance established halftime at the Super Bowl as something more than an afterthought. Associated Press
U2's 2002 Super Bowl appearance acknowledged the victims of Sept. 11. Associated Press
Bruno Mars' 2014 Super Bowl booking signaled planners eager to book a star at his peak. Associated Press
Bruno Mars' 2014 Super Bowl booking signaled planners eager to book a star at his peak. Associated Press
Prince performs at Super Bowl XLI in 2007. The halftime show has become one of the year's top cultural moments. Associated Press
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