Rumors Fly About Star Performers as "American Idol" Finale Nears

Tomorrow night, the battle of Adam Lambert versus Kris Allen will keep millions of American Idol fans glued to their TVs (and dialing furiously). While a bunch of Web chatter has been devoted to which three songs the two finalists will sing, the Idol nation is also abuzz over rumors about which big-name stars will guest on Wednesday's finale when the Season Eight winner is crowned. Here's a guide separating confirmed performers from the pipe-dreams:

The Definites: Season Four winner Carrie Underwood, arguably the biggest star the show has ever produced, will perform her cover of Mötley Crüe's "Home Sweet Home," which has been used as this season's farewell song. Jason Mraz confirmed on his Website that he will perform on the show.

The Definitely Maybes: According to the AP, the Black Eyed Peas, Cyndi Lauper, Lionel Richie, Keith Urban, Carlos Santana, Queen Latifah and last year's Idol champ David Cook will all appear on the finale. CMT reports Urban will duet with Kris Allen, while Idol fansite MJ's Big Blog says Lauper will sing with the equally rambunctious Alison Iraheta, who finished fourth this season.

The Maybes: We're really hoping this rumor is true, especially since our sister mag first reported it: Kiss will appear on the Season Eight finale, US Weekly reports in their new issue. The make-up-heavy rockers would serve as a perfect backup band for Adam Lambert — who RS's Rob Sheffield thinks single-handedly saved Idol — but apparently AI producers have other plans for their glam hero. In the most outlandish and fantastic rumor of the Season Eight finale, MJ's Big Blog says that producers are trying to lure David Bowie, who has not performed live since 2006, to duet with Lambert on Wednesday night. Seems far-fetched, but what better way to announce your return to the stage than with a performance in front of millions of viewers.

The special guests and our new American Idol will be revealed on Wednesday's finale. But first, come back tomorrow when Rob Sheffield live-blogs the performance show. And stay on top of all of all our Season Eight coverage in one spot.

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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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