Black Eyed Peas set to bring sport anthems to Super Bowl

By Steve Keating

DALLAS (Reuters) - With a set-list packed with sport stadium anthems, the Black Eyed Peas will take their place as the NFL's unofficial house band with a high-energy halftime performance at Super Bowl XLV on February 6 in Dallas.

"Playing at the Super Bowl it seems so surreal," said group leader Will.I.Am. "As a kid I would watch halftime shows, watch Super Bowls ... I used to dream to play football until I got a concussion and then didn't want to play football anymore."

The hugely popular quartet has also played at NFL season opening festivities while front woman Fergie is a minority owner of the Miami Dolphins.

With a potential viewing audience of over a billion people, the massive stage will not overwhelm the platinum selling group, who also performed in the kickoff concert for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.

The group's hits including "Let's Get it Started", "I Gotta Feeling" and "Boom Boom Pow" are staples of sports teams and stadiums around the world and while Fergie would not reveal which of their hits they would play on Sunday she did promise their performance would be packed with energy.

"We do a lot sports anthem type songs," Fergie told a press conference packed with over 65 television cameras and hundreds of media. "We all like to party have a good time.

"My father was a high school and college quarterback and I am a limited owner in the Miami Dolphins, so this is very special for me.

"Sunday football is a serious day in our home."

The Black Eyed Peas join a list of musical greats who have played the Super Bowl including Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band, The Who, Paul McCartney, the Rolling Stones, Michael Jackson and Janet Jackson, whose wardrobe malfunction at the 2004 Super Bowl caused an uproar.

The notorious incident that saw Jackson's breast bared on stage in front of millions of viewers prompted the NFL to turn to older, safer acts for their halftime shows.

But after six years of playing it safe, the NFL has decided once again turn to the hip-hop scene injecting a youthful, fresh vibe into the halftime showcase.

"Even though football is an American tradition and an unofficial holiday we're taking football places where it is not part of their culture but this is part of our culture and I am so proud," Will.I.Am. "It's a dream come true for us."

(Editing by Frank Pingue)