5:01 p.m.: Here we go, opening the 2009 with a Grammy preview of 2010. U2's performing “Get On Your Boots." How many noms are U2 up for? That's right, none.
Radiohead, or even Coldplay, should have opened the show. Let one of the album of the year artists start the Grammys. Instead, Bono is singining with the lyrics to to song blasted on the screen behind him -- it's all set for inclusion in Rock Band or Guitar Hero.
4:49 p.m.: A minute or two from showtime. Updates on the Rihanna/Chris Brown situation will be posted as we have them. In the meantime, the live-blogging of the Grammys will begin now . . .
4:26 p.m.: Official statement from the Recording Academy regarding Rihanna:
“We have just been informed that Rihanna will not be attending tonight's 51st Annual GRAMMY Awards. We're sorry she is unable to join us this evening."
4:23 p.m. Official statement from the Los Angeles Police Department regarding Chris Brown:
Around 12:30 a.m. on February 8, 2009, an alleged domestic violence felony battery involving R & B singer Chris Brown and a woman occurred.
Brown and the woman were in a vehicle on North June street in the Hancock Park area of Los Angeles when, according to the victim, they became involved in an argument. After stopping his car, Brown and the woman got out and the argument escalated. The woman suffered visible injuries and identified Brown as her attacker.
The Los Angeles Police Department received a 911 call reporting the disturbance. When officers arrived they found the victim, but Brown had already left the scene. The LAPD is conducting an investigation into the incident.
Pop & Hiss has requested a comment from a Chris Brown rep.
4:12 p.m.: As for the awards: Robert Plant and Alison Krauss were among the big winners in the pre-show, taking the award for best country collaboration with vocals and best contemporary folk/American album. The two are up for album of the year, and will compete against Radiohead, Coldplay, Lil Wayne and Ne-Yo in the category. All the aforementioned artists won in the pre-show.
Radiohead's “In Rainbows" took best alternative album, Lil Wayne's “Lollipop" won for best rap song and Ne-Yo's “Miss Independent" won two awards -- best male R&B/vocal performance and best R&B song. Lil Wayne's “A Milli" won best rap solo performance, and he was also honored as part of “Swagga Like Us," an all-star collaboration that also includes Jay-Z, T.I. and Kanye West.
Best new artist nominee Adele won best female pop vocal performance for her “Chasing Pavements," and Coldplay's “Viva la Vida" won best pop performance by a duo or group with vocals. Daft Punk swept the dance/electronic categories, taking best electronic/dance album ("Alive 2007") and best dance recording ("Harder Better Faster Stronger").
George Strait's “Troubadour" took best country album. Also in the country field, Carrie Underwood won for best female country vocal performance.
4:02 p.m.: It's an hour away from showtime, and the biggest news right now is not who won, but who won't be performing. Entertainment Weekly reports that Rihanna and Chris Brown have been “involved in a car accident," and will not be appearing on tonight's Grammy telecast. There's still not too many details on the incident, but the EW report notes that the artists are “well."
