The saying really is true: “The Third Time’s a Charm.” After auditioning two previous times for American Idol and getting cut, 23-year old Caleb Johnson of Asheville, North Carolina emerged as the Season 13 winner, beating out 17-year old Jena Irene. t
American Idol has had an interesting relationship with rockers. Previous contestants like Chris Daughtry and Constantine Maroulis came close to becoming the first rock singer to win but later on went to pursue much more successful careers that they could’ve ever imagined.
Johnson was clearly the strongest singer throughout the competition, covering songs like Whitesnake’s “In The Still of the Night,” Led Zeppelin’s “Dazed And Confused,” Aerosmith’s “Dream On” and occasionally mixed it up with Paul McCartney’s “Maybe I’m Amazed” and Adele’s “Skyfall.”
Runner-up Jena Irene was more pop-oriented, as she proved tonight when she sang alongside her favorite band Paramore to “Ain’t It Fun.”
Both singers opened up the night with a medley of Queen’s “We Will Rock You,” No Doubt’s “Just a Girl” and Bryan Adams and Tina Turner’s “It’s Only Love.”
Among other performances included John Legend, Jason Mraz, Aloe Blacc, Darius Rucker, Lady Antebellum, Season 11 winner Phillip Phillips and KISS whom performed with Johnson.
The judges Jennifer Lopez, Harry Connick Jr. and Keith Urban came together to perform a medley of “True Colors” by Cyndi Lauper and “Go Your Own Way” by Fleetwood Mac.
Perhaps more surprising than the judges performance was American Idol host Ryan Seacrest singing “Right Here Waiting For You” with Richard Marx.
Johnson closed out the season by singing “As Long As You Love Me” which will appear on his upcoming debut album.
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