Grammys Add Rihanna, Underwood, Blige to Performance Lineup

After avoiding the wrath of the Writers Strike, the Grammys announced today what musicians will perform at their picket-free awards ceremony February 10th. Confirmed performers include the previously announced Foo Fighters, who will play "The Pretender" with My Grammy Moment winner and an orchestra conducted by Led Zeppelin's John Paul Jones, and Beyoncé, who may or may not duet with Tina Turner. Also taking to the Grammy stage will be Carrie Underwood, Mary J. Blige & Aretha Franklin as part of a gospel tribute, and Rihanna, who will be backed by a reunited the Time (of Purple Rain fame). Left off the current lineup is Amy Winehouse, who was rumored to perform in some capacity (a duet with Kanye?) before today's rehab announcement question marked her presence at the ceremony.

Related Stories:
• Amy Winehouse Goes To Rehab, Hopes to Get Clean in Time for Grammys
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Song Stories

“Time to Pretend”

MGMT | 2008

Listening to MGMT’s breakthrough song, one might interpret it as being about the excesses of rock stardom, but it’s actually about the duo’s pet praying mantis. Ben Goldwasser and Andrew VanWyngarden told Rolling Stone they got the idea from the insect's jerky movements. The mantis died, but the two bandmates kept the egg sack and allowed the hundreds of eggs to hatch. “We tried to name them all, but they died after a day,” said Goldwasser, with VanWyngarden chiming in, “But the praying mantis dance inspired us.”

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