(Originally ran Feb. 1, 2008)

The halftime entertainment at Super Bowl XX in 1986 was Up With People.

Yeah, that’s right. Roll that one around in your brain-pan for a while. Let it soak in good.

Now try to imagine next year’s Super Bowl crowd getting pumped up for that wholesome celebration of humanness.

Rock has ruled at the Super Bowl the past few years, with Aerosmith, U2, Paul McCartney, The Rolling Stones and this year Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers headlining at halftime.

Hard to believe that prior to 2001 hardly any rock acts had participated in halftime events (notable exception: ZZ Top in 1997, with the Blues Brothers and James Brown).

Then again, prior to Nike’s infamous use of The Beatles’ “Revolution” in a TV commercial, I don’t recall rock music being prevalent in advertising. Now it’s standard for just about any spot aimed at an audience younger than 60.

It’s not hard to figure why. Baby boomers and all generations hence were raised on rock, so it’s hardly surprising marketers took note.

What’s lost, of course, is any sense of rock ‘n’ roll as outlaw music, as a badge of rebellion.

If Dad grew up on Iron Maiden, how effective a weapon is Avenged Sevenfold in the generational wars?

If Johnny Rotten lends his voice to a Mountain Dew commercial that plays in prime time - and he did - doesn’t that diminish the threat of “Never Mind the Bollocks, Here’s the Sex Pistols”?

Put it this way - if loud guitar chords and pounding drums are just another element in the white noise of life, does the idea of rock ‘n’ roll mean anything anymore?

Rock once was a rallying cry for the freaks, the weirdos, the bohos and the outcasts. Friendships were born and broken over favorite bands. Authority figures didn’t like it.

Authority figures such as teachers, preachers, parents and football coaches.

Rock ‘n’ roll at the Super Bowl? Vince Lombardi must be rolling over in his grave.