Michael Jackson - Music hits 2005 witnessed some extraordinary moments in entertainment history. From Live 8 concerts to increase awareness to global poverty to the acquittal of Michael Jackson on all charges of child molestation, the year was filled with high drama and unprecedented coverage. The largest entertainment venue, by far, was Live 8. Led by former Boomtown Rats singer-turned-activist, Bob Geldof, the concert series - which kicked off on July 2 in London, Berlin, Paris, Rome, Paris, Tokyo, Moscow and Johannesburg - coincided with the 20th anniversary of the original Live Aid concert as well as the G8 conference and summit held in Scotland. The "Make Poverty History" strategy was to pressure world leaders to reduce or cancel the debt to the world's poorest nations - a topic near and dear to U2 front man, Bono. Some of original acts who performed in 1985 returned for an encore performance including Sir Paul McCartney, U2 and Madonna. The "trial of the century," as dubbed by the media and legal analysts alike was that of the self-proclaimed King of Pop, Michael Jackson. Two years in the making, including a grand jury investigation, the trial finally began in February 2005. Jackson, who was originally arrested in 2003, was charged on ten criminal counts including committing lewd acts with a minor, serving alcohol to a minor with intent to commit a lewd act and conspiring to hold the child and his family against their will. Salacious and graphic testimony by the prosecution team combined with celebrity defence witnesses, including Macaulay Culkin, became a regular part of the daily news for most of the Western world. Jackson's daily arrival to the courthouse proved to be as dramatic as what was going on inside closed doors. After arriving an hour late and wearing pyjama bottoms, the judge issued a warrant for Jackson's arrest; however, the defence team announced that their client had just returned from the emergency ward at a local hospital and the judge revolved his earlier decision. But on June 14, 2005, everything came to abrupt end as the jury announced they had come to a decision. Jackson fans, some who had travelled from Japan and Australia to show their support, screamed and wept for joy as the verdict was read out. Jackson was cleared of all charges and wrongdoing. Another pop music icon, Madonna, took no prisoners as she released her latest album, "Confession On A Dance Floor" with the hit single, "Hung Up" dominating the music charts in the U.S. and the U.K. "Hung Up" The song, which samples ABBA's 1979 hit, "Gimme, Gimme, Gimme" has re-established Madonna's position of power in the ever fickle world of pop culture. In an exclusive interview with Madonna at the MTV Awards in Lisbon, Portugal, Madonna expressed relief that she could perform following an accident while horseback riding. "Well, after falling off my horse it was amazing to be able to just get up and dance and perform again. I didn't know after I fell off that I was going to be able to do that, and also to be able to perform my single, and I'm just so grateful and happy right now. I had an amazing time and was over like that. Too fast, too fast." Other artists that have returned to the music charts with a vengeance includes R&B singer, Mariah Carey and U2. Formerly of No Doubt, Gwen Stefani goes platinum with her first solo album, "Love Angel, Music, Baby", rapper Keane West and actor Jamie Foxx sing about "Gold Diggers" and punk group, Green Day come out swinging with their latest album, "American Idiot.". Some new faces, animated ones, hits the charts, as well, including the Gorillaz with their album, "Demon Days", the annoying but addictive song by Crazy Frog and from Germany, a four-year old's recording of "Schnappi the Crocodile" went number one. Although Eminem hasn't said his good-byes, a recent trip to rehab for dependency on sleeping pills appears to have made the controversial rapper re-think his career as Slim Shady. In his latest single, "When I'm Gone", the rapper sings about his addiction and need to end his alter-ego. In a recent interview at a Detroit, Michigan radio station, Eminem, also known as Marshall Mathers, said he has reconciled with his ex-wife and unsure as to his future. Another star unsure as to her future is Australian pop star Kylie Minogue, who kicked off her world tour in London earlier in the year, was forced to cancel so she could be treated for breast cancer. To date, is unclear if or when she'll return to the spotlight. Sir Paul McCartney received an honour that's out of this world - literally - as he performed live for the astronauts en route to the International Space Station.
Michael Jackson - Music hits 2005 witnessed some extraordinary moments in entertainment history. Fro...
