The night of February 13, 2005, will be a night to remember. Hosted by Queen Latifah and featuring live performances by artists such as Green Day, Usher and the Black Eyed Peas, the 2005 Grammys—the most prestigious award in the music business—could be described as no less than lively.

The show opened with explosive performances by the Black Eyed Peas, Gwen Stefani, the Los Lonely Boys, Maroon 5 and Franz Ferdinand. Then they all joined together for a medley of each of their songs to receive a standing ovation from the crowd at the end.

The first award, presented by Steven Tyler, Christina Milian and John Travolta, was the best Pop Group orDuo with Vocals, which went to the Los Lonely Boys for their single “Heaven.” The next performancer was Alicia Keys, who was nominated for eight awards and who won five in 2002. Then Quincy Jones and Jamie Foxx joined her in a tribute to Ray Charles.

Adam Sandler and Nelly were the next presenters, handing out the award for Best Male R&B Vocal Performance, which went to Prince for his single “Call My Name."

U2 mellowed out the crowd next with their performance. Best Rock Album was awarded to Green Day, the grownup punks from California, for their ‘punk opera’ album American Idiot.

Possibly the steamiest performance of the night was when recently married couple Jennifer Lopez and Marc Anthony performed their Spanish duet.

The highlight of the night was a performance by Tim McGraw, Keith Urban and Gretchen Wilson, who joined remaining members of Lynard Skynard. They opened with country princess Gretchen Wilson performed “Free Bird,” followed by Keith Urban lending his vocal and guitar talents to “Fooled Around and Fell in Love” and a rendition of “Ramblin’ Man” performed by Tim McGraw. The set ended with the entire group singing “Sweet Home Alabama,” the ultimate southern rock anthem.

Ellen DeGeneras introduced Queen Latifah, the night’s hostess, who performed her jazzy new single. Hoobastank and model Tyra Banks presented the award for Best New Artist, one of the night’s biggest awards, which went to rock group Maroon 5. Film director Quentin Tarenteno introduced Green Day, who performed their smash hit “American Idiot” from the album with the same title. Best R&B Album was the next award given out, which went to songbird and piano player Alicia Keys.

There was a tribute to gospel that featured Kayne West, John Legend and the Blind Boys of Alabama. Kayne West then took the Grammy for Best Rap Album from Ludacris and Kevin Bacon, who were also up for the award.

Legend Janis Joplin was awarded the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award and was honored with performances by Best New Artists nominee Joss Stone and Melissa Ethridge, sporting a newly-shaved head. Actor Billy Bob Thorton presented Eddie Arnold with a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award and introduced Tim McGraw, who gave a moving performance of his song “Live Like you Were Dying.”

T. Bone Bernett, Allison Krauss and Amy Lee of Evanescence presented the Carter family with a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award and also presented the Grammy for Best Country Album, which went to Loretta Lyn for her album Van Lear Rose.

The first ever President’s American Industry Icon Award was awarded to Ahmet Ertegun, the founder of Atlantic Records. John Mayer followed, performing his song “Daughters,” which would later earn him the Grammy for Song of the Year. The Grammy for Best Rock Duo or Group with Vocals went to “Vertigo” by U2.

The biggest moment of the night came when a large group of artists joined together to perform a version of the Beatles’ “Across the Universe” to aid in the tsunami relief effort. The single can be downloaded at iTunes.com and the proceeds will go to the Red Cross’s relief aid. You can also hear the single at CBS.com, with an option to donate.

Usher, who was nominated for eight Grammys, exploded onto the stage, performing a duet with the Godfather of Soul himself, James Brown. Lance Armstrong and Sheryl Crow presented the Record of the Year, one of the biggest awards of the night. This award went to Ray Charles and Norah Jones for Here We Go Again. Norah Jones and Ray Charles’ manager Joe Adams accepted the award.

Neil Portnow, of the Recording Academy, addressed the audience regarding the tsunami tragedy and explained that music has played a part in the relief effort, then announced that Brian Wilson as the Academy’s Person of the Year.

A brief tribute was played to the musicians and actors who died in the previous year, including Johnny Ramone, Ray Charles, Jerry Goldsmith, Rodney Dangerfield and Johnny Carson. This was followed by a tribute to Ray Charles featuring Bonnie Rait.

The night ended when Ray Charles was awarded Album of the Year, the night’s biggest award, for the album Genius Loves Company. Again, accepting on his behalf was his manager Joe Adams.

If you missed this year’s Grammy Awards, you can check out a list of all the winners at grammy.com.