Billboard 2005 Year In Music
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The Year In News
It's always startling to look back at the sheer amount of daily music news Billboard.com reports during a given year. But despite that intense volume of information about the professional lives of artists as well as their activities in the public eye, there are a handful of bigger stories that for which any given year will be remembered.

Some of those touchstone events are uplifting, as is the case with the music community's response to tsunami relief efforts early in 2005 and to lend support to the Gulf Coast in a devastating hurricane season. Equally touching is the actions of artists and music fans that made the Live 8 concerts effective in pushing governments to move on global debt issues.

Some stories are less attractive, such as those surrounding the trial of Michael Jackson or the legal woes of everyone from Courtney Love to DMX to Gary Glitter. Then there is the loss of music figures throughout the year, the impact of which is immeasurable.

Music and the people who make it continue to fascinate us. As we look back at the year that was, we thank those who give us a glimpse of the creative process all the while standing in the alternately flattering and harsh celebrity spotlight.


January

With a reissue of his 1959 release, "One Night" (RCA), Elvis Presley becomes the U.K.'s 1,000th No. 1 single. Presley's "Jailhouse Rock" also debuts at No. 1 on the U.K. singles chart on the day after he would have turned 70 years old. More...

Former Roc-A-Fella Records CEO Damon Dash forms new label, Damon Dash Music Group, along with Kareem "Biggs" Burke. Both co-founded Roc-A-Fella with Jay-Z, who was earlier named President of Def Jam Records. More...

A member of Nickelback since 1998, drummer Ryan "Nik" Vikedal exits the Canadian rock act. Remaining band members issue a statement wishing him well. Vikedal followed Mitch Guindon and Brandon Krueger behind the band's kit. More...

Jermaine Dupri is named president of Virgin Records' new Urban Music division. Dupri's also brings his So So Def label to the Virgin stable. More...

Country singer George Strait kicks off his 2005 tour in Charlotte, N.C., with support from Dierks Bentley and Amber Dotson. More...

A previously unreleased tape of Bob Dylan performing folk songs in a Minneapolis apartment is donated to the Minnesota Historical Society Library. The recordings were in the possession of Minneapolis resident Cleve Pettersen since 1960. More...

Dick Clark is released from the hospital after seven weeks after suffering a minor stroke.

LEGALITIES:

Neptunes producer Pharrell Williams drops his $4 million breach-of-contract lawsuit against Reebok, regarding his Billionaire Boys Club apparel line and Ice Cream footwear collection. More...

Country singer Lynn Anderson is accused of shoplifting a "Harry Potter" DVD from a Taos, N.M., supermarket, and then punching a police officer as she is being placed into the patrol car.

A driver for the Dave Matthews Band is charged with reckless conduct for dumping human waste over the side of a bridge from a tour bus onto passengers aboard a boat on the Chicago River.

Rapper Young Buck pleads not guilty to an assault charge for allegedly stabbing a man during a brawl at the 2nd annual Vibe Awards.

R&B artist D'Angelo is charged with drunken driving and drug possession.

A woman claiming to be an ex-girlfriend of Kiss bassist Gene Simmons sues the singer for slander, saying he made her sound like a "sex-addicted nymphomaniac" on a VH-1 "rockumentary."

Los Lonely Boys drummer Ringo Garza and his wife are arrested for marijuana possession.
Billboard remembers those who passed in 2005.

> Artists
> Industry Figures

January
> Presley Scores 1000th U.K. No. 1
> Dupri Becomes Virgin Exec
> Young Buck Fights Assault Charge


February
> Charles Sweeps Grammys
> Jayhawks Disband, Blink-182 Rests
> Love Pleads No Contest To Assault


March
> U2, Guy Enter Rock Hall
> 50 Cent Notches Four Top 10 Songs
> C-Murder Loses Appeal


April
> Rubio, Juanes Win Billboard Latin Awards
> Loggins & Messina Reunite
> MTV Launches African Channel


May
> Underwood Crowned 'Idol'
> Coachella Rocks Calif. Desert
> Wonder Unveils Video For The Blind


June
> Jackson Found Not Guilty
> Corgan Pledges To Reactivate Pumpkins
> Bonnaroo Draws 80,000 To Tennessee


July
> Live 8 Concerts Held Around The World
> Crazy Frog Becomes Int'l Sensation
> Lil' Kim Sentenced To Jail


August
> Stones Kick Off 'Bigger Bang' Tour
> Eminem Enters Rehab2
> CBGB Faces Eviction


September
> Artists Respond To Hurricane Tragedy
> Korn Signs Landmark Virgin Deal
> Apple Introduces iPod Nano


October
> Voodoo Festival Returns To New Orleans
> Jay-Z, Nas Bury The Hatchet
> DMX Receives Jail Sentence


November
> Stapp, 311 Brawl In Baltimore
> Sabbath, Pistols Named To Rock Hall
> DMX Slapped With More Jail Time


December
> 50 Cent, Green Day Reap Billboard Music Awards
> Carey, Legend, West Lead Grammy Nominees
> Murder Inc. Founders Acquitted