It was one of those rare nights when the performances eclipsed the awards themselves -- not that U2's after-party will be any less loud, of course.
Christina Aguilera was accompanied by the legendary jazz pianist Herbie Hancock on Song for you, and was spectacular.
Mariah Carey sang to a huge gospel choir. And even Kanye West faced off against Jaime Foxx in a unique marching-band-style segment.
And 63-year-old Paul McCartney raised the decibels with a raw, metallic version of The Beatles classic Helter skelter.
Humour intact, McCartney announced that this was his first Grammy performance, and quoted an old line by his late bandmate John Lennon: 'I finally passed the audition.'
The festivities wrapped up with a tribute to the victims of Hurricane Katrina, with artists including Bonnie Raitt, Elvis Costello, Bruce Springsteen and U2's The Edge, plus New Orleans natives Dr John, Allen Toussaint and Irma Thomas taking the stage.
Their plea: Save music. Go to New Orleans.