Billboard’s Ann Donahue breaks down every live performance of “American Idol” Season 9, from the top 24 contestants to the last one standing.

Hanson have been striving to integrate the smooth music they grew up on — Billy Joel, Steve Winwood and classic Stax and Motown records — into their pop-rock sound, and on their upcoming fifth album Shout It Out (due June 1st) the trio of brothers push their love of soul and R&B to the next level. Michael Jackson’s horn arranger Jerry Hey and funk brother Bob Babbitt guest on the record, which they laid down in El Paso, Texas, last April and finished up in studios in Tulsa, Oklahoma, and Hollywood.

“The album title stood out early on in the record process as a phrase that helped put all those elements into one simple statement,” Taylor Hanson tells Rolling Stone. “The record is built like a lot of records from ’60s and ’70s. From the beginning of the writing process, it felt like the kind of record we could have old school horn parts on.” Working with Hey was a reunion of sorts since he’d also arranged horns on their 2004 release Underneath. But when it came time to team with Babbitt, Hanson says the band benefited from a few “lucky calls” made by industry vet/drummer Steve Jordan and former Michael Jackson music director Michael Beardon to hook them up.

Hanson says Babbitt helped the band add movement to the record, which reflected their larger goals for Shout. “I want to be able to talk about changing the world through your actions and being a generation that is aware and a force to be reckoned with — and at the same time be dancing,” Hanson says, adding that the band’s last LP — 2007’s The Walk — was tied to the band’s experiences in South Africa and its fight to raise money for AIDS awareness. “This record is more buoyant.”

To kick off Shout It Out, Hanson are performing each of their albums in chronological order over a five-night stand in New York City at the end of April. The sold-out shows will be streamed online, and Hanson says the band has locked in guest appearances from musicians who have played on previous Hanson records — a pool that includes blues guitarist Jonny Lang, Sly & the Family Stone member Rose Stone and singer-songwriter Matthew Sweet.

“By going back for a second, it creates a platform that allows you to hear the new record in perspective. In the end, you’ll hear how the songwriting and who we are has never changed,” Hanson explains. “With the new record, we’ve set forth the path we’re on and we’re really comfortable with it. We’re not trying to add anything new. For better or for worse, this is a written, performed, composed by Hanson album.”

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•

Photo: Brown/Getty

Nearly eight months after Michael Jackson died due to “acute Propofol intoxication,” the singer’s personal physician Dr. Conrad Murray has been charged with involuntary manslaughter by the Los Angeles District Attorney’s office for his role in the King of Pop’s sudden death on June 25th, 2009, CNN reports. In a press release, the D.A.’s office writes that Murray “did unlawfully, and without malice, kill Michael Joseph Jackson … in the commission of an unlawful act, not a felony; and in the commission of a lawful act which might have produced death, in an unlawful manner, and without due caution and circumspection.” If found guilty, Murray faces a maximum four-year prison sentence.

As Rolling Stone previously reported, Jackson’s death was ruled a homicide after a toxicology report discovered that the powerful sedative Propofol and other sedatives ultimately caused Jackson to go into cardiac arrest. Investigators have long accused Murray of using “gross negligence” in administering Propofol to Jackson, because the sedative is meant to be used strictly in hospital settings for patients recovering from surgery. In interviews with police, Murray admitted administering Propofol to Jackson after the singer himself requested the sedative, which he dubbed “milk” because of its cloudy white appearance, to help his insomnia.

Charges were expected to be filed last week in the case, but a conflict between the District Attorney’s office and the Los Angeles Police Department delayed the charges until today. Murray entered the Airport Court in Los Angeles to surrender to the LAPD just before 1 p.m. PST, where he was arraigned on the involuntary manslaughter charge. Murray pleaded not guilty to the charge. TMZ reports bail was set at $75,000, three times the usual bail in a case like this. Prosecutors originally sought bail of $300,000 because Murray was born outside the country and could be considered a flight risk. Murray was forced to give up his passport as part of the terms of his bail agreement. Members of Michael Jackson’s family were in attendance for the arraignment. According to the D.A.’s press release, Deputy District Attorney David Walgren will prosecute the case.

Related Stories:

• No Charges for Jackson Doctor Yet; Conrad Murray Expected to Surrender to Cops
• Source: Dr. Murray Likely to Face Manslaughter for Jackson Death
• Michael Jackson’s Death Officially Ruled Homicide

Michael Jackson’s doctor has been charged with involuntary manslaughter in the pop singer’s death.

Usher, Jennifer Hudson, Carrie Underwood, Smokey Robinson and Celine Dion will take part in the Grammy Awards’ 3-D tribute to Michael Jackson live on January 31st. The Recording Academy is honoring the King of Pop with a Lifetime Achievement Award on music’s biggest night and premiering previously unseen footage from his planned This Is It concerts that was filmed to accompany his performance of “Earth Song.” The musicians will sing along with a recording of Jackson’s vocal as the 3-D mini-movie that was meant to be the centerpiece of This Is It rolls.

Look back at Michael Jackson’s life and career, in photos.

“It was one of the most important portions of the concert tour to Michael, and when Michael saw the film for the first time at his last rehearsal, there were tears in his eyes,” Grammy co-executive producer and Jackson’s friend Ken Ehrlich said in a statement. The “Earth Song” footage, which expresses Jackson’s intense concern for the welfare of the planet, was shown in part in concert film This Is It, which is due out on DVD five days before the Grammy Awards, on January 26th. Jackson had big plans to bring 3-D to the concert experience, shooting a new “Thriller” video using the technology, as well.

CBS, the network airing the Grammys live, is teaming with Target to distribute millions of 3-D glasses so viewers can experience the Jackson tribute at home. People attending the awards live at Los Angeles’ Staples Center will also receive a pair of 3-D glasses. The event will mark the first time a sequence is broadcast three-dimensionally during an awards show.

Jackson’s career was previously celebrated at MTV’s Video Music Awards, where Madonna gave a speech about her special relationship to the King of Pop and Janet Jackson assembled an all-star crew of choreographers to pay tribute to her brother’s groundbreaking dancing. Stars also honored Jackson at the BET Awards, which took place just days after his June 25th death.

Check out all of Rolling Stone’s essential Michael Jackson coverage.

As Rolling Stone previously reported, Beyoncé, Lady Gaga, Taylor Swift, Green Day, Pink, Dave Matthews Band, Bon Jovi and the Black Eyed Peas will also perform at the 52nd Annual Grammy Awards.

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Michael Jackson will be a focal point of the Grammys, with an unprecedented posthumous tribute.

Billboard Bits serves up the best bite-sized nuggets of music news and gossip every afternoon.

Prosecutors are prepared to seek an indictment of Michael Jackson’s doctor on a charge of involuntary manslaughter in the pop star’s death, The Associated Press has learned.

Lenny Kravitz took to Twitter to “set the record straight” about a leaked version of Michael Jackson’s “Another Day,” a song he recorded with the King of Pop before his passing.

Today, January 4th, 2010, marks the 50th birthday of R.E.M. frontman and Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee Michael Stipe. The singer may not look a day over 37, but on this date in 1960 in Decatur, Georgia, the man who brought the music world Murmur, Monster and “Man on the Moon” was born. To celebrate a half-century of Stipe, we dive into the Rolling Stone archives to unearth some R.E.M.-related stories. Plus, check after the jump to watch Stipe in all his live glory.

• From Art School to the Hall of Fame: R.E.M. Give a Tour of Their Discography
• R.E.M. Look Back
• Cover Story: R.E.M.’s New Adventures
• The Rolling Stone Interview: Michael Stipe
• Cover Story: R.E.M.’s Brave New World

“What’s the Frequency, Kenneth?”

“The One I Love”

“Man on the Moon” from R.E.M.’s Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony

Michael Jackson’s “Thriller” video will rest among the nation’s treasures in the world’s largest archive of film, TV and sound recordings.

McElderry’s single, which debuted at No. 2  last week after losing out to Rage Against The Machine’s “Killing in the Name,” secured the belated top spot.

Photo: Mazur/WireImage.com

The FBI’s dossier on Michael Jackson — over 300 pages of files ranging from an alleged extortion plot against the King of Pop to documents concerning the FBI’s involvement in Jackson’s child molestation trial — were released today as part of the Freedom of Information Act, the New York Times‘ ArtsBeat blog reports.

The files reveal that in 1992, an unnamed man attempted to extort Jackson, threatening, “I will personally attempt to kill if he doesn’t pay me my money.” The man, who pleaded guilty to extortion and was sentenced to prison in 1993, also proclaimed, “I’ll commit mass murder at a Michael Jackson concert if necessary, in an attempt to murder Michael, then you will have to deal with my situation in the public eye.” Similar death threats were made to mob boss John Gotti and then-President George H.W. Bush.

As for the FBI’s documents regarding the child molestation trial, according to TMZ, local authorities in Santa Maria reached out to the FBI out of concern that the trial could be viewed as a “soft target” by terrorists, adding that the “worldwide media coverage” might appeal to terror groups. The FBI determined there was no terror threat in that case. The FBI was also involved in some regard into the investigation of Jackson’s child molestation charges, as local authorities reached out to the FBI to see if they were interested in “working a possible federal violation against Jackson concerning the transportation of a minor across state lines for immoral purposes.” Jackson was ultimately found not guilty of the charges.

When Michael Jackson died suddenly on June 25th, the stunned and saddened Rolling Stone team snapped to action and devoted a commemorative issue to the King of Pop. Now the magazine’s editors are proud to present an even bigger version of that special edition of RS: Michael, a book devoted to Jackson’s life and career that features more than 100 rare photographs from his Jackson 5 days through his troubled later years. It’s the perfect addition to any present you can find in our rock & roll gift guide.

RS contributor Jon Dolan writes about Bad, Jackson’s last truly great album, and Alan Light examines the making of Thriller, the biggest album of all time. Rob Sheffield contributes a guide to Jackson’s videos and the 25 moments that defined his career. Michael also includes tributes from Slash, Stevie Wonder, Quincy Jones and others who worked with and admired Jackson.

Order the book, and dive into our special Michael Jackson coverage right here on RollingStone.com, too:

• Michael Jackson: The Rolling Stone Covers
• Photos: Michael Jackson’s Life and Career

Michael Jackson’s “Captain EO” is moonwalking back to Disneyland.

A Michael Jackson tribute concert which was scrapped in Vienna and moved to London after top acts dropped out has been canceled after the event’s organizer closed down, the company’s liquidator said on Friday.

Michael Jackson lived on. Green Day and Bruce Bruce Springsteen rocked. Lady Gaga turned heads. Jay-Z, Beyonce and Taylor Swift triumphed. It all happened in 2009, and we’ve got the photos to prove it.

The administrators of Michael Jackson’s estate and a cadre of attorneys are seeking millions for managing the King of Pop’s affairs after death, court documents show.

As Miley Cyrus loses her Grammy nod, Michael Jackson gets one of his own.

Photo: Busacca/WireImage

Michael Jackson will be honored posthumously next month when the 52nd Annual Grammy Awards are held in Los Angeles on January 31st. The big show will be beamed live into America’s living rooms starting at 8 p.m. on CBS; the Special Merit Awards will be doled out a day before, during an invite-only ceremony, though it’s almost certain a larger Jackson tribute is in the works for the prime-time telecast. Per Contact Music, LL Cool J, who hosted the Grammy nominations concert earlier this month, says he’d like to see Chris Brown, Justin Timberlake, Usher and more stars perform “Billie Jean.”

Check out all of Rolling Stone’s Grammy coverage.

Jackson is among those who will receive the Grammy’s Lifetime Achievement Award. Other recipients of this year’s honor include Leonard Cohen, Bobby Darin, David “Honeyboy” Edwards, Loretta Lynn, André Previn and Clark Terry. Harold Bradley, who founded Castle Recording Studio, Nashville’s earliest recording studio, Florence Greenberg, the late owner of Scepter Records, and Walter C. Miller, former CMA Awards Executive Producer, will all be singled out as Trustees Award honorees, for their outstanding contributions to the industry in a non-performing capacity.

Look back at Jackson’s epic career, in photos.

In June, just days after Jackson’s death, the BET Awards scrambled together a tribute that featured New Edition singing a medley of Jackson 5 songs and a few words from a very shaken Janet Jackson. Madonna honored Jackson with a lengthy speech at the top of MTV’s Video Music Awards in September, and her talk was followed by a special performance of “Scream” by Janet accompanied by big-name choreographers who worked with and were inspired by Michael.

The King of Pop was up for five American Music Awards this year, and took home four trophies. His work was not eligible for any Grammy nods.