Al Green Performs in Chris Brown, Rihanna's Absence

Chris Brown's and Rihanna's absence threw a wrench in the Recording Academy's plans for the 51st Grammy Awards, but luckily Al Green and Justin Timberlake were near their phones.

"We just had two hours and 40 minutes," Green told the BoomBox. "They said, 'Whatever you have, just throw it on and come down.' They didn't tell us why; they just said, 'Come on.'"

According to earlier reports, Brown is under investigation for alleged domestic violence felony battery and skipped the awards ceremony. It was also announced that Brown's girlfriend, pop/R&B diva Rihanna, also would miss the show.

Green and Timberlake performed the soul legend's 1971 classic 'Let's Stay Together' in the couple's absence. According to Rihanna's rep, the singer "is well" despite her absence. The Recording Academy confirmed/acknowledged Brown's absence with this statement mid-telecast: "We have just been informed that Chris Brown will not be attending tonight's 51st Annual Grammy Awards. We're sorry he is unable to join us this evening."

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