Rocking it ‘old-school style’ in L.A.

The Black Eyed Peas-hosted tsunami relief benefit at the Avalon on Friday was a two-hour-plus homage to music’s elders. Among those honored were the R&B; group Earth, Wind & Fire, which received a loud ovation as it “rocked it, old-school style,” with the ‘70s hit “Shining Star,” and Carlos Santana, who joined Peas frontman Will.I.Am on the Latin-flavored rap track “I Am Somebody,” which the pair wrote together, and laid down some mean guitar on the Santana classic “Evil Ways.”

But the man of the hour (a very late hour, since the show didn’t begin until around 11:30 p.m., three hours after the doors opened) was James Brown. Taking the stage shortly after 1 a.m., Brown was greeted with a hero’s welcome as he showed off his trademark dance moves and electrified the crowd with the charisma that has earned him his place as one of the great showmen in pop music history. He was joined by Justin Timberlake and Will.I.Am for his classic “Papa’s Got a Brand New Bag.”

Although Brown’s appearance amounted to little more than a cameo, it was unquestionably the high point of a night that featured an abundance of highlights: Macy Gray and the Peas cranking out “Hey D.J.,” Timberlake’s keyboard-propelled “Hey Senorita,” the Peas’ energetic version of the ubiquitous hit “Let’s Get It Started,” and India.Arie leading a moving, all-star rendition of Bob Marley’s “Redemption Song,” in honor of what would have been the reggae star’s 60th birthday last week.

A perfect way to end a night that was all about respecting music’s history.