Events in 2005
- Brandon Flowers, lead singer of The Killers, married his longtime girlfriend, Tana Mundkowsky, in a small private ceremony in Hawaii. Members of the band, along with family and friends, attended the ceremony.
- Status Quo filmed a cameo appearance for the British television series Coronation Street, where they were set to play themselves in three episodes.
- Melissa Etheridge announced that she had been cancer-free for nine months.
- American blues singer and guitarist Little Milton died at the age of 70 after suffering a brain aneurysm on July 25, followed by a stroke and a coma.
- Apple launched the iTunes Music Store in Japan with a catalog of one million songs.
- Yahoo! launched a beta version of Yahoo! Audio Search, allowing users to search more than 50 million audio files, including music, podcasts, and spoken-word content.
- Bob Dylan's song “Like a Rolling Stone” won an Uncut magazine poll of the music, films, television shows and books that changed the world.
- A survey of 560 British funeral homes found that grieving families were increasingly favoring popular music over traditional religious hymns at funerals. Among the most requested songs were “Wind Beneath My Wings” by Bette Midler, “Angels” by Robbie Williams, “I Will Always Love You” by Whitney Houston and “Candle in the Wind” by Elton John.
- Carlo Little, The Rolling Stones' original drummer from 1962 to 1963, died in Cleadon, Tyne and Wear, England, at the age of 66 from lung cancer.
- The nineteenth U.S. installment of the “Now That's What I Call Music!” series reached No. 1 on the U.S. chart. The compilation featured songs by artists including Gwen Stefani, Eminem, Shakira, Coldplay, Destiny's Child and Gorillaz.
- Crazy Frog reached No. 1 on the Australian singles chart with “Axel F”.
- James Blunt was at No. 1 on the UK singles chart with “You're Beautiful”. Mariah Carey was at No. 1 on the U.S. singles chart with “We Belong Together”.
- Singer-songwriter Marc Cohn was shot in the head during an attempted carjacking in Denver, Colorado, and recovered from his injuries.
- Mariah Carey was at No. 1 on the U.S. singles chart with “We Belong Together”.
- The TV series “Weeds” premiered on Showtime, featuring Malvina Reynolds' “Little Boxes” as its theme song.
- Two jurors who voted to acquit Michael Jackson of charges involving child sexual abuse and other offenses later said on NBC's Today show that they regretted their decision.
- Nickelback released “Photograph”, the first single from the album “All The Right Reasons”.
- Marc Cohn survived being shot in the head during an attempted carjacking after a concert in Denver, Colorado. The bullet struck him in the temple but did not penetrate his skull.
- The Magic Numbers walked out of a performance on the British music television show “Top of the Pops” after presenter Richard Bacon made derogatory comments about the group. The band left the studio in protest.
- James Blunt was at No. 1 on the UK singles chart with “You're Beautiful”.
- The Rolling Stones held a surprise warm-up concert at the Phoenix Concert Theatre in Toronto ahead of the A Bigger Bang tour. Tickets cost $10 and the club had a capacity of approximately 1,000 people.
- Francine Barker, the original singer of Peaches & Herb known as “Peaches”, died at the age of 58.
- She was at number one on the US chart with the album Fireflies, her third consecutive album to debut at number one on both the country and Billboard album charts.
- He spent his fifth consecutive week at number one on the UK singles chart with “You’re Beautiful” and was also at number one on the album chart with Back to Bedlam. Celine Dion was the last artist to achieve the same feat, in 1995.
- The Babyshambles frontman was subjected to a full-body search at Gardermoen Airport in Norway after customs officials detained him for three hours to check whether he was carrying drugs.
- After twelve years away from the public eye, he appeared at the Knitting Factory in Los Angeles, where he watched his sister Vet perform with Phunk Phamily Affair, a band playing the repertoire of Sly and the Family Stone.
- P. Diddy announced on the US television program Today that he was dropping the "P." from his stage name and would use the name Diddy. The change also led to a dispute with London DJ Richard "Diddy" Dearlove.
- Madonna suffered three broken ribs, a broken collarbone and a broken arm in a fall from a horse at her country estate, Ashcombe House. The accident occurred on her 47th birthday.
- Country and bluegrass fiddler Vassar Clements, known among other things for his work with Bill Monroe's Bluegrass Boys, died in Jamestown, New York, from lung cancer at the age of 77.
- A life-size bronze statue of Thin Lizzy frontman Phil Lynott, created by Paul Daly, was unveiled on Harry Street in Dublin, Ireland. His former bandmates Gary Moore, Brian Robertson and Scott Gorham attended the unveiling. Lynott died in 1986 at the age of 36 and became famous for a number of hits including “Whiskey in the Jar”, “The Boys Are Back in Town”, “Jailbreak” and “Waiting for an Alibi”.
- Country singer Faith Hill scored her third U.S. No. 1 album when “Fireflies” reached the top. The single “Like We Never Loved at All” won a Grammy for Best Country Collaboration.
- On the day Phil Lynott would have celebrated his 56th birthday, a concert was held in Dublin featuring Thin Lizzy members Brian Downey, Scott Gorham and Brian Robertson. Eric Bell, Thin Lizzy's original lead guitarist, and Gary Moore shared lead vocals and guitar on the famous song “Whiskey In The Jar”.
- Robert A. Moog, American engineer, inventor, pioneer of electronic music and inventor of the Moog synthesizer, died in Asheville, North Carolina, at the age of 71, four months after being diagnosed with brain cancer. At the age of 14, he built his first electronic instrument, a theremin, and in 1970 created the portable MiniMoog, described as the first compact and easy-to-use synthesizer. His first commercial synthesizer was launched in 1964 and had a major influence on and changed the music industry. In 2001, he received the Swedish Polar Music Prize. Wendy Carlos's 1968 Grammy-winning album “Switched-On Bach” played a major role in bringing him wider recognition. His instruments, particularly the MiniMoog, became essential tools for many artists, including The Beatles, Stevie Wonder and Pink Floyd.
- The Rolling Stones began their A Bigger Bang tour with a concert at Fenway Park in Boston. They had previously played a warm-up concert at a theater in Toronto on August 10. The tour lasted more than two years and grossed more than $558 million from 144 concerts, setting a record that was later surpassed by U2's 360° Tour, which ended in 2011.
- 50 Cent sued American car dealer Gary Barbera Enterprises over the alleged unauthorized use of his name and photograph in an advertisement. In the lawsuit, he described himself as an exceptionally successful artist known for his appearance, gangster image, and hard life story. He sought more than $1 million over an advertisement for the Dodge Magnum with the slogan “Just Like 50 Says”.
- Bay City Rollers singer Les McKeown appeared in court in London on charges of possessing and distributing cocaine. At the age of 49, he was charged with conspiracy to supply cocaine along with four other people, including the band's drummer Pat McGlynn. McKeown was arrested in June in Dalston, East London, as part of a major police operation. In February 2006, he was acquitted of intending to distribute the drugs.
- The woman whose son accused Michael Jackson of sexual abuse was charged with welfare fraud for allegedly obtaining nearly $19,000 illegally. In November 2006, she pleaded guilty without admitting liability and was ordered to pay restitution and complete 150 hours of community service.
- Hal Kalin of The Kalin Twins died at the age of 71 from injuries sustained in a car accident in Charles County, Maryland.
- Justin Timberlake accepted a libel settlement over a fabricated article alleging an affair with model Lucy Clarkson behind the back of his then-girlfriend Cameron Diaz. He donated the settlement to charity.
- Former Guns N' Roses members Slash and Duff McKagan sued singer Axl Rose over claims that he had taken exclusive control of the band's copyrights. They claimed that Rose was no longer willing to recognize the contributions of his former bandmates.
- Green Day were named the world's best band at the 12th Kerrang! Rock Awards and also won the award for Best Live Act. Funeral For A Friend won Best British Band, My Chemical Romance won Best Album and Best Video, Iron Maiden were inducted into the Kerrang! Hall of Fame and Marilyn Manson received the Icon Award. Foo Fighters' “Best of You” was named Best Single, Trivium were named Best International Newcomer, Trent Reznor of Nine Inch Nails received the Classic Songwriter award, and Killing Joke received the Lifetime Achievement Award.
- Kanye West called for an end to homophobia in the hip-hop world.
- A post office near the Los Angeles studio where Ray Charles recorded much of his music was renamed in his honor. The federal bill renaming the post office was signed by US President George W. Bush.
- John Duff Lowe and Colin Hanton of The Quarrymen unveiled a plaque at the site where the group that later became The Beatles made their first recordings. John Lennon, Paul McCartney and George Harrison recorded Buddy Holly's “That'll Be The Day” and the Lennon-Harrison song “In Spite Of All The Danger” there as The Quarrymen in 1958.
- McFly reached No. 1 on the UK singles chart with “I'll Be OK”. It was their fourth UK chart-topper.
- Staind reached No. 1 on the US album chart with their fifth studio album “Chapter V”. It was their third album to reach the top of the chart.
- The Gap company hired seven artists to sing their favorite songs in an advertisement for its new fall denim collection. The commercial aired during the MTV Video Music Awards. Alanis Morissette sang Seal’s “Crazy”, while Keith Urban, Joss Stone, Michelle Williams of Destiny’s Child, Jason Mraz, John Legend, and Incubus frontman Brandon Boyd also took part.
- Art Garfunkel, who had admitted to possessing marijuana in upstate New York the previous year, was charged again after a marijuana cigarette was allegedly found in the ashtray of his car. In September 2005, a judge ordered him to give two motivational speeches to local high school students.
- Green Day won seven awards at the MTV Video Music Awards in Miami, including Video of the Year for “Boulevard of Broken Dreams” and the Viewer’s Choice Award. Gwen Stefani won Best Choreography for “Hollaback Girl”, while Gorillaz won Breakthrough Video for “Feel Good Inc.” Kanye West won Best Male Video for “Jesus Walks”. The ceremony took place despite concerns about Hurricane Katrina and a shooting at a pre-awards party.
- Oasis reached No. 1 on the UK singles chart with “The Importance Of Being Idle”. It was their eighth No. 1 single and the song came from their sixth album “Don’t Believe the Truth”.
- Rap producer Marion “Suge” Knight was hospitalized after being shot in the leg. The incident occurred at a party at a club in Miami, Florida, held in connection with that year’s MTV Video Music Awards and also as a party for Kanye West.
- 77-year-old Fats Domino was rescued from the flooding in New Orleans caused by Hurricane Katrina after being rescued from his home in the Ninth Ward. Beforehand, he had told his agent that despite the evacuation order, he planned to remain at home, mainly because his wife Rosemary was in poor health and traveling was difficult for her. After being rescued by boat, Domino and his family were taken to an emergency shelter on the LSU campus.
- Hurricane Katrina devastated New Orleans and caused extensive damage to the local music community.
- Josh Homme of Queens of the Stone Age collapsed from exhaustion during a concert in Hamburg, Germany.
- Journey released the album "Generations", one of the albums commemorated as part of the musical anniversaries for August 29.
- Eric Clapton released the album “Back Home”, his first album of original material since the 2001 album “Reptile”. Guests on the album included his former Blind Faith bandmate Steve Winwood and Billy Preston. Clapton also included “Love Comes to Everyone” by his late friend George Harrison.
- Kanye West released his second studio album “Late Registration”.
- At the age of 17, Rihanna released her debut album “Music Of The Sun”. Its first single was the successful song “Pon De Replay”, which drew on her Bajan heritage and used Caribbean rhythms.
- Toby Keith announced that he was founding his own record company, Show Dog Nashville Records.
- Barry Cowsill, bassist for The Cowsills, died at the age of 51 in New Orleans due to drowning during the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. His final phone messages to his family were left around Sept 1–2; his body was discovered on December 28, 2005, at a wharf and identified via dental records on January 3, 2006.
- Kanye West criticized President George W. Bush’s response to Hurricane Katrina during a televised benefit concert in New York. The concert was raising funds to help victims of the disaster, and West made a controversial statement during the live broadcast about the president and his relationship with the Black community. The statement was broadcast live on the US East Coast, but was removed from the edited version for the West Coast.
- Mariah Carey became only the fifth artist or group in history to simultaneously occupy the top two positions on the US singles chart. “We Belong Together” had been at number one on the Billboard Hot 100 for ten consecutive weeks, while “Shake It Off” moved to number two.
- Fats Domino was rescued from New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina struck the city, following several days during which he was reported missing.
- Hilary Duff began a two-week run at No. 1 on the US chart with her first compilation album Most Wanted. The album also reached No. 1 in Canada and the Top 3 in Japan and Australia.
- The Rolling Stones released A Bigger Bang, their first studio album of new material in eight years and the last album of original songs recorded entirely with drummer Charlie Watts. The album reached number three in the US and was certified platinum.
- Sir Bob Geldof was granted honorary citizenship of his native Dublin after the city council approved the honor in recognition of his campaign against global poverty and for debt relief in Africa.
- The Rolling Stones released their 24th studio album, "A Bigger Bang", through Virgin Records. The album reached the Top 3 in both the UK and U.S. and No. 1 in ten countries. One million copies were sold in the U.S., relatively low by the band's standards, but the accompanying tour set a concert-tour revenue record by grossing $558 million.
- Aretha Franklin received the Lady of Soul Award for lifetime achievement at the Pasadena Civic Auditorium.
- Kanye West debuted at No. 1 on the album chart with Late Registration.
- Paul Wall reached No. 1 on the US album chart with his second studio album, “The Peoples Champ”.
- Pete Doherty was arrested during a police drug operation in Shrewsbury, where his band Babyshambles was performing. Police said that a man and a woman were arrested for possession of Class A drugs, while another 17 people were searched. A subsequent Babyshambles concert in Norwich was canceled.
- Fiona Apple released her third album, Extraordinary Machine, her first album since 1999's When The Pawn.... The album had been completed and ready for release as early as 2003, but Apple changed her mind and postponed its release. After a leaked version appeared online in 2005, she re-recorded the songs and eventually released the album.
- Sony BMG Strategic Marketing Group released Hit Story, a three-CD collection containing 80 Elvis Presley hits.
- Exodus released their seventh studio album, Shovel Headed Kill Machine.
- Little Big Town released their second studio album, The Road to Here. The album produced four singles that reached the Top 20 of the country chart: “Boondocks,” “Bring It On Home,” “Good as Gone,” and “A Little More You.”
- Welsh musician and Badfinger drummer Michael “Mike” Gibbins died in his sleep on October 4, 2005, at the age of 56 at his home in Oviedo, Florida. He was known for the band's hits Come And Get It, No Matter What, and Day After Day; Badfinger also had the hit Baby Blue, and members of the group worked with George Harrison on the album All Things Must Pass and The Concert for Bangladesh. Contemporary reports said the cause of death was unknown at the time, while some later sources described it as a natural death.
- Nickelback released their fifth album, All The Right Reasons, featuring the hits “Photograph,” “Far Away,” and “Rockstar.” The album reached number one in both Canada and the US, where it sold more than 10 million copies.
- The Rolling Stones' concert at the University of Virginia's Scott Stadium was interrupted after eight songs because of a bomb threat directed at the stage. Police conducted a 45-minute search, found nothing suspicious and the band completed the concert.
- The Rolling Stones concert at Scott Stadium at the University of Virginia in Charlottesville was interrupted after eight songs because of a bomb threat directed at the stage. Police conducted an approximately 45-minute search using dogs and found nothing suspicious. The group then returned to the stage and completed the concert as part of the A Bigger Bang tour.
- Boy George was arrested in New York after falsely reporting a burglary at his Manhattan apartment. Police discovered more than 3.5 grams of cocaine during a search. The drug charges were later dropped, while George pleaded guilty to filing a false report and was fined and sentenced to five days of community service cleaning streets.
- Gwen Stefani's “Hollaback Girl” became the first song certified for sales of one million digital downloads, primarily through the iTunes Store, where it was available for 99 cents. It was also the first single to have more downloads than CD sales.
- Disturbed's album “Ten Thousand Fists” reached No. 1 on the U.S. album chart.
- A silver 1974 Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow that belonged to Freddie Mercury was offered for sale on eBay by his sister and heir, Kashmira Cooke. The car had not been seen publicly since 2002, when it transported the Bulsara family to the premiere of Queen's musical We Will Rock You. A box of Kleenex Mansize tissues that Mercury had reportedly left inside was said to still be there.
- Singer and Live Aid co-founder Midge Ure receives an honorary degree from the University of Abertay in Dundee. He says he never expected such an honor after leaving school at age 15.
- Mötley Crüe drummer Tommy Lee suffers minor burns in a pyrotechnics accident during a concert in Casper, Wyoming. At the time, he is suspended about 30 feet above the stage.