Scotty McCreery Wins Idol During Surprise Appearance Filled Finale

Other highlights from the finale included a surprise appearance by metal gods Judas Priest who performed two of their classics with finalist James Durbin.

Aerosmith were rumored to join their frontman and American Idol judge Steven Tyler for the finale but last week guitarist Joe Perry informed fans that they would not be appearing.

Instead Tyler took the stage with brothers Robert and Dean DeLeo of Stone Temple Pilots to perform a cut-down rendition of Aerosmith's classic "Dream On."

Contrary to a public denial on their website, AP reports that U2's Bono and The Edge performed with Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark star Reeve Carney. The U2 duo penned the music for the troubled Broadway musical.

As for the Idol contestants, Scott McCreery teamed up with Tim McGraw for "Live Like You Were Dying," and former Idol winner Carrie Underwood joined runner up Lauren Alaina on "Before He Cheats."