New Michael Jackson music is in the works, Jessica Simpson is in talks to judge “Idol,” Rihanna talks “Love the Way You Lie” and more. 

Levi Johnston will make his music video debut as a lover whose romance is thwarted by his girlfriend’s disapproving mother, according to a Universal Music Group record label and Johnston’s attorney.

Indie giants Pavement ended the fest under strings of twinkling lights, while Big Boi’s set doubled as a victory lap for his just-released solo debut “Sir Lucius Left Foot.” 

The Chicago fest’s second day was capped by headliners LCD Soundsystem, who offered a thrilling, career-spanning set.

As sweltering temperatures gave way to a cool summer night, the progressive rap and Swedish pop of the afternoon were followed by guitar-heavy sets from Modest Mouse and Broken Social Scene.

It's been almost 40 years since Bryan Ferry has recorded music with his Roxy Music bandmates but the group is gearing up for a reunion for Ferry's solo album Olympia. The album — due out October 25th — is the first LP to feature Ferry playing alongside guitarist Phil Manzanera, …

Published reports suggest the event was called off due to security concerns.

Alberta Cross showed impressive stage polish and maturity during their June 2 show at Brooklyn’s Music Hall of Williamsburg, one of four remaining stops on the band’s first headlining U.S. tour. 

Watching guys run up walls and fling themselves from crazy high places and land on their feet is undeniably sick. Seeing it happen live is even sicker. If you’re not watching “MTV’s Ultimate Parkour Challenge,” live Thursdays at 10:30/9:30c on MTV, then get involved. It’s like skateboarding without the skateboard. Except it’s on top of buildings.

Check out the premiere episode of “MTV’s Ultimate Parkour Challenge” in the video below and download the show’s theme song, “Jackie Come Lately,” by Los Angeles band Heavy Young Heathens. You know what? While you’re at it, download their entire Make Room for the Youth EP. And don’t miss the all-new episode tonight at 10:30!

Musician and producer Butch Walker is “about halfway done” with a memoir that he says will offer some insight into a career of making music, both on his own and for other, more celebrated friends.

On tonight’s “True Life: I Hate My Plastic Surgery,” you’ll meet two young people who’ve gone under the knife and come out from the experience mired in regret. It’s serious decisions met with serious consequences. All of the songs you’ll hear in “True Life: I Hate My Plastic Surgery” — which takes an in-depth look at life-altering changes — are by Austin alt-rock band Alpha Rev. And all of Alpha Rev’s emotional, moving music perfectly matches the somber tones of the episode.

Even if you haven’t experienced plastic surgery you wish you could undo, Alpha Rev’s lead singer-songwriter Casey McPherson explains how anyone can relate to the band’s music and the story of the two people who’ve chosen to share their story with “True Life.”

“All our songs are about the human experience, and our journey to become free,” McPherson explained. “Life throws us all kinds of curveballs, and sometimes we just need to understand that it’s all going to be OK and we’re beautiful just the way we are made. Music has brought me that connection, and I hope our songs do the same for others.”

Watch two videos by Alpha Rev — “Colder Months” and “New Morning” — and a live performance of “When Did I Wake Up.” Plus, watch a sneak preview of “True Life: I Hate My Plastic Surgery.” Then watch the show tonight at 10/9c.

After gazing upon the delightful new video for “Heartbeat Song,” the new single from the English power-pop quartet The Futureheads (taken from their excellent album, The Chaos), I was struck with a feeling of déjà vu: the video is set at an undetermined point in the past, on a game show that loosely references “The Family Feud,” complete with a cheesy, over-the-top host, chintzy set, and old-school TV film stock. I’ve seen this video before! Of course I had. Bands have repeatedly defaulted to the retro TV music video setting. Allow me to illustrate five such examples!

1.) Nirvana, “In Bloom”
For the video for this classic off of Nevermind, Nirvana paid homage/lampooned the legendary appearance of The Beatles on “The Ed Sullivan Show,” complete with hysterical screaming fans.

2.) Weezer, “Buddy Holly”
Weezer and Spike Jonze ingeniously inserted the band’s performance into an episode of “Happy Days,” with attention paid to the smallest detail, right down to the film stock.” Sit on it!”

3.) Outkast, “Hey Ya”
For Andre 3000’s hip-hop-power-pop anthem, the Atliens also used an “Ed Sullivan Show”-type of setting, albeit a show hosted by Ryan Phillppe of all people. However, unlike Nirvana’s clip, “Hey Ya,” is set in London during the Mod heyday.

4.) The Strokes, “Last Nite”
In this Roman Coppola-directed clip, the New York band performs their classic single on a ’70s-era live performance show, not unlike “Don Kirshner’s Rock Concert.”

5.) The Futureheads, “Heartbeat Song”
The latest in a crop of retro TV fake-outs!

Fresh off a European tour, Mexican guitar duo Rodrigo y Gabriela brought foot-tapping Latin rhythms and metal energy to the Radio City Music Hall stage last Friday (Apr. 29), joined by surprise guest Robert Trujillo of Metallica.

Growing online buzz and speculation came to a head this past weekend when it was revealed that country artist Chely Wright, 39, would announce that she is gay in this week’s People Magazine.

Iconic Indian film score composer A.R. Rahman says he’s looking forward to bringing East and West together with his upcoming “The A.R. Rahamn Jai Ho Concert: The Journey Home World Tour.”

If this whole music thing doesn’t pan out (knock on wood), Jordan Witzigreuter can always fall back on comedy. Over the last couple of weeks The Ready Set front-dude has been releasing a series of really funny sketch comedy clips, mocking the superficial nature of the music industry (and his own paltry athletic skills). And today we’ve got another one.

This video, titled “Marketing,” finds Witzigreuter reunited with his label boss and comedy co-conspirator Pete Wentz. It seems the Decaydance chief has discovered the fact that lots of stuff (music) is available for free on the Internet. His measured, appropriate response? Start merchandising and marketing everything to make up for the loss of sales.

Witzigreuter wants to sell hoodies. Wentz wants him to sell…his kidneys. You can see where this is going. Check out the new video, as well as the other two sketches, below for the hilarity.

Aventura, the urban bachata group from the Bronx that has re-energized the tropical music scene, was the big winner at the 2010 Billboard Latin Music Awards, snaring nine trophies, including Latin album and digital album of the year for “The Last” (Premium).

Before she was Lady Gaga, international pop icon, Lady Gaga was just another struggling artist, down and out on New York City’s Lower East Side, trying to make ends meet. So it’s only natural, now that she’s “kind of like a big deal,” that we’re starting to get a peek into her past life.

One of the most amusing things that’s popped up so far is, “The Portal In The Park,” a children’s audio book by Cricket Casey, with music by hip-hop legend Melle Mel.

“Portal…” is about a boy named Scott who, “accidentally falls through a portal and takes a scary journey into another dimension inhabited by creatures who attempt to destroy his spirit.” Sounds kind of like how one feels watching one of Gaga’s videos!

The Lady added vocals to with Melle Mel’s music on the audio book, and the vocals are unmistakably Ms. Germanotta’s. Of course the most hilarious thing here is, given the outrage from some sectors over Gaga’s “Telephone” video and the detrimental effect some believe it could have on children, Lady Gaga has quite a long history affecting the minds of little ones. Who knows, maybe one day they’ll start watching “Telephone” instead of “Dora The Explorer.” Or maybe not.

+ Listen to a clip of Lady Gaga’s “Portal In The Park” children’s book song.

In honor of Earth Day (April 22), Billboard, in conjunction with PlanetGreen.com, asked musicians, executives, experts and its readers to send along useful tips on how the music industry can help protect the environment. Happy planet saving!

Yesterday we told you all about the San Diego rock band The Soft Pack. And as if our ringing endorsement weren’t enough, the cast of the highly-anticipated film “Kick Ass“ went and made their own video to The Soft Pack’s song, “Answer To Yourself.”

“Kick Ass,” which follows a rogue band of outsider teens who invent superhero alter egos and beat up bullies is adapted from the much-beloved Mark Millar (“Wanted”) comic. It stars Christopher Mintz-Plasse (“Superbad”), Clark Duke (“Hot Tub Time Machine”) and Chloe Moretz, along with Nicolas Cage and Aaron Johnson).

Duke, Mintz-Plasse and Moretz are the stars of this Mean Video directed by Kashy Khaledi. The video turns The Soft Pack’s droning anthem on its head as the “Kick Ass” stars reference their film characters and get involved in the kind of food fight where heavy weaponry, martial arts, milk and flaming Twinkies are all fair game.

“Kick Ass” is in theaters April 16th. Read more about The Soft Pack here. Check out the kick-ass version of “Answer To Yourself” below, and check out photos of the “Kick Ass” cast on the “Answer to Yourself” video set.