'05 music scene full of highlights

Here are some year-end music musings.

• For Those About to Rock: Utah missed out on its first-ever chance to host Ozzfest, its first chance to see the reunited Iron Maiden and it's only chance to see the feud of the year between Ozzy's wife Sharon and Maiden's frontman Bruce Dickinson.

Nevertheless it was still a great year for rock concerts. Reunions and mega-stars ruled the arenas with such reunited acts as Motley Crue and Judas Priest making appearances, along with two of the year's highest-grossing shows — Rolling Stones and U2.

Other highlights included Green Day rocking the Delta Center with its political-punk pep rally. Billy Idol, the Offspring and My Chemical Romance took over the Utah State Fairgrounds. Sting gave Police fans the closest thing to a reunion. Twenty-five years after forming in Birmingham, England, the original five members of Duran Duran made their first-ever stop in Utah. And fan favorites Trans-Siberian Orchestra and the Australian Pink Floyd show received exceptionally warm receptions and responded with outstanding shows.

• A Little Bit Country: Rascal Flatts sold a lot of records in 2005 and played before legions of adoring fans in the Delta Center. But the real country highlights this year came from Lucinda Williams, Lyle Lovett — and Erica Hansen's return engagement as Patsy Cline at the Grand Theater.

OK, "Always . . . Patsy Cline" was more of a theater event, but there was a live band and she sang 27 songs every night (plus Saturday matinees) to perfection, which is more than can be said for some Delta Center acts in 2005.

• Viva la Peacemakers: I've long professed in this paper that you will not see a better live band for your money than Roger Clyne and the Peacemakers, and 2005 did nothing to deter that with three shows, including one acoustic, in Salt Lake City. And with a new album due next year, the Tempe, Ariz., quartet is sure to make a return visit. If you haven't heard of these guys yet, catch their next show; you'll be glad you did.

• Better Luck Next Year: Not all the concerts that rolled into Utah in 2005 were worthy of high praise. NASCAR-loving group 3 Doors Down played one of the shortest shows the Delta Center has ever hosted. And mega-group Velvet Revolver put on the year's most disappointing show in the E Center. Five great performers and one lousy sound guy made for a painful night.

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E-mail: preavy@desnews.com