Erica Banas // Rock Music Reporter
February 12th
Super Bowl commercials are part of the pageantry of Super Bowl Sunday. These commercials are often the most bombastic displays from various companies every year. There’s never really a general theme for these ads. However, we couldn’t help but notice the rock world was highlighted in a number of these spots. (The fact they were often funny was a bonus.)
Here are eight rock moments from the 2023 Super Bowl commercials.
Rainbow’s “Since You Been Gone” soundtracked the epic new trailer for Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3. The film is the final one in the Guardians franchise and hits theaters on May 5.
Dave Grohl stars in Crown Royal’s Super Bowl ad, which serves as an ode to Canada’s many unique contributions. Among the things shouted out are Rush (obviously), the ironing board, the paint roller, the whoopee cushion and even football. (“Yeah! Look it up!” says Grohl to the latter item.)
Elton John upstages rapper Jack Harlow in this ad for Doritos that imagines a world where the triangle was a phenomenon across the globe.
If you’re doing your taxes this year using Turbo Tax, we dare you to try not to think about Men Without Hats’ “Safety Dance.” Decades later, it’s still a quality earworm.
Michelob ULTRA went retro with this tribute to Caddyshack complete with the Kenny Loggins hit “I’m Alright.” If only we had the gopher and some reference to Rodney Dangerfield’s classic closing line to the iconic comedy.
Ozzy Osbourne, Joan Jett, Gary Clark Jr., Paul Stanley and Billy Idol take offense to the term “rockstar” being so popular in the corporate
NASCAR has an ad during the Super Bowl for the upcoming Daytona 500 taking place on February 19. The spot was soundtracked by “Lux Æterna,” the lead single off Metallica’s new album 72 Seasons due out April 14.
Did you catch that last #SuperBowlLVII commercial??
— Metallica (@Metallica) February 12, 2023
Next Sunday, it’s full speed or nothing.
Catch the 65th running of the Daytona 500 - February 19 on @FOXTV.@NASCARONFOX @FOXSports #Daytona500onFOX pic.twitter.com/JSUvnlAPZK
If you looked very closely, you might have spotted guitarist Nuno Bettencourt as part of Rihanna’s backing band during her Super Bowl Halftime performance. The Extreme guitarist has been the lead guitarist in the singer’s touring band since 2009. In case you missed Rihanna’s performance or want to rewatch it, it can be viewed in its entirety on the NFL’s YouTube channel.
