Janet Jackson to Pay Tribute to Michael at MTV's VMAs

Janet Jackson will open this weekend's 2009 MTV Video Music Awards with a musical tribute to her late brother Michael, MTV announced yesterday after rumors of Janet's involvement began circulating. Janet, a nine-time Moonman winner herself, will honor her brother in a "special appearance" that will a look back over his life and career — a career that also helped attract viewers to MTV when the network was in its formative years. The VMAs will air live this Sunday, September 13th from New York's Radio City Music Hall.

Remember Michael Jackson's life and career, in photos.

According to TMZ, the performance will feature more than 20 backup dancers and choreography from some of the biggest names in the dance world. (Contrary to reports, however, choreographer Frank Gaston is not involved, MTV says.) Kryiss Grant, one of the dancers who will appear at the VMAs and an usher at Jackson's funeral last week, told TMZ the performance is being rehearsed almost 15 hours a day and that when all is said on done, "there won't be a dry eye in the house" after Janet is finished honoring her brother.

Look back at photos from Michael Jackson's private funeral.

As Rolling Stone previously reported, Taylor Swift, Beyoncé, Green Day, Jay-Z, Lady Gaga and Wale will also perform when MTV storms Radio City Music Hall this weekend. The festivities will once again be hosted by Forgetting Sarah Marshall star Russell Brand, and presenters include Katy Perry, Nelly Furtado and select members of the Gossip Girl crew.

And judging by what's been hinted at in recent commercials, Britney Spears is expected to appear in some capacity, leading to hopefully another Britastic VMA moment.

Rolling Stone will be on the red carpet and at the big show this weekend, so be sure to check back for our full coverage.

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Song Stories

“Smells Like Teen Spirit”

Nirvana | 1991

"Smells Like Teen Spirit," named after a brand of deodorant marketed to girls, was Kurt Cobain's attempt to "write the ultimate pop song," he said, using the soft-loud dynamic of his favorite band, the Pixies. Cobain "had that dichotomy of punk rage and alienation," the song’s producer, Butch Vig, told Rolling Stone, "but also this vulnerable pop sensibility. In 'Teen Spirit,' a lot of that vulnerability is in the tone of his voice." Sadly, by the time of Nirvana's last U.S. tour, in late '93, Cobain was tortured by the obligation to play "Teen Spirit" every night. "There are many other songs that I have written that are as good, if not better," he claimed.

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