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.

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.

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.

Jermaine Jackson hosted a press conference earlier today to finally reveal part of the lineup for the Michael Jackson tribute he’s hosting in Vienna later this month: Mary J. Blige, Chris Brown, Akon and Natalie Cole will take the stage in Austria on September 26th. Sister Sledge, German boy band US5 and actress Angela Bassett, who portrayed Katherine Jackson in the film The Jacksons: An American Dream, will also appear at the tribute concert at Vienna’s Palace of Schönbrunn. According to Jermaine, the list of performers announced today represent only one-quarter of “The Tribute” lineup; he’ll reveal the remainder of the bill at press conferences this week in London, Berlin and Paris.

Many of the musicians, singers and dancers involved with Michael Jackson’s This Is It concerts at London’s O2 Arena will also perform at the tribute concert, including singer Judith Hill, who amazed fans with her version of “Heal the World” at the Jackson memorial concert at Los Angeles’ Staples Center in June.

Plus, thanks to the wonders of technology and video projection, Michael Jackson “will come on stage one last time” for a virtual duet with Jermaine Jackson, according to “The Tribute” Website. “Michael will return to us for one song. It will be a magic moment for all who loved his music,” Jermaine said. Michael’s mother Katherine and his three children will also reportedly attend the concert.

According to Reuters, more than half of the tickets to the Vienna tribute were sold before the performer announcement today. Chris Brown will be making his first official return to the stage since assaulting Rihanna in February. Brown, who was often dubbed “the next Michael Jackson” before that altercation, just last week professed his love of Jackson during an appearance on Larry King Live.-Rolling Stone

UPDATE

Chris Brown won’t be crooning “I’ll Be There” in honor of Michael Jackson.

The “Forever” singer has put the kibosh on any plans to perform at the M.J. tribute concert in Vienna, hours after Jermaine Jackson announced Brown would be among the headliners at the Sept. 26 show.

“Chris is not confirmed to perform or participate in any capacity for this show,” the publicist for Brown’s label tells E! News.

While we expect Brown to commence his comeback after racking up five years’ probation for beating Rihanna, we were surprised to hear his name listed with Mary J. Blige, Akon, Natalie Cole and Sister Sledge for the event. He would need court approval to head overseas and get a break from his 180 hours of community labor. Brown, 20, attended Jackson’s funeral and has cited the King of Pop as a major influence.

There was no immediate comment from organizers of the Jackson tribute, but Jermaine’s definitely got some ‘splaining to do.-E!

Jimmy Stewart, Humphrey Bogart, Clark Gable, Spencer Tracy and Walt Disney. These and others among Hollywood’s all-time A-listers are now Michael Jackson’s neighbors for eternity.

When he was laid to rest Thursday in the Great Mausoleum in the Forest Lawn Cemetery in Glendale, Calif., the King of Pop finally found company worthy of his fame – and a place grand enough for his notoriously extravagant tastes.

The huge mausoleum, once dubbed the “New World’s Westminster Abbey” by Time, is modeled on the historical Campo Santo in Genoa, Italy, famed for its gigantic Gothic cloisters. Nearby spots boast a number of replicas of works by the Renaissance master Michelangelo, two of the largest paintings in the world (“The Crucifixion” and “The Resurrection”), and rare 13th-century stained-glass windows.

But perhaps the most attractive feature is the cemetery’s reputation for protecting the privacy of the stars resting there. The cemetery, which is private, provides limited access to the public and is familiar with how to handle the attention celebrity gravesites attract. The Great Mausoleum is all but impregnable to gawkers, tourists and even dedicated fans, so those who found it hard to find peace in life – like Jackson – will certainly find it after death. -People

Seventy days after the death of Michael Jackson, the King of Pop was finally laid to rest last night, September 3rd, with a private ceremony Glendale, California’s Forest Lawn Cemetery. About 200 close friends and family members attended the evening funeral, which concluded with Jackson being entombed in Forest Lawn’s Great Mausoleum, the final resting place of Walt Disney, Clark Gable and other legendary talents.

Elizabeth Taylor, Berry Gordy, Quincy Jones, Jackson’s ex-wife Lisa Marie Presley and Macaulay Culkin attended the ceremony, along with Mila Kunis, This Is It director Kenny Ortega, Teddy Riley, Chris Tucker, Corey Feldman and Miko Brando. According to a statement from the Jackson family, Michael’s five brothers Tito, Jermaine, Randy, Marlon and Jackie all served as pallbearers. -Rolling Stone