Bobby Brown learned the shocking news of ex-wife Whitney Houston's death while on a reunion tour in Memphis with his R&B group New Edition. The 43-year-old singer found out just hours after Houston's death, and set about calling friends and family with the devastating news immediately, but he did not cancel his performance that night on Feburary 11, 2012. Brown has made no official commentabout Houston's death, but one of his relatives told People, "[Brown and Houston] didn't hate each other. In fact, there was a lot of respect. So this has hit Bobby really hard. He is devastated. He loved her very much. This is a very sad time for him."

Bobby broke down multiple times after the announcement of Houston's death. He reportedly sobbed backstage before Saturday night's performance with New Edition — and he did not go on to perform the opening song (He did go on stage for the second song, "Hit Me Off"). A source tells People that Brown is "shattered and beyond devastated."

After one performance, a concertgoer said Brown blew a kiss into the air and shouted, "I love you, Whitney!" Then during the performance of his 1988 hit, "Tenderoni," Brown sobbed on stage and asked the crowd to sing along. 

Brown and Houston were married for 15 years, from 1992-2007. The couple has a 19-year-old daughter, Bobbi Kristina.

Source: People, Us Weekly

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