Former Mormon Youth Symphony and chorus founder Jay Evard Welch, folk singer Odetta, drummer Munetaka Higuchi of the Japanese metal band Loudness, harpsichord maker William Dowd, Jimi Hendrix Experience drummer Mitch Mitchell, the Four Tops' Levi Stubbs, "Batman" and "The Odd Couple" music composer Neil Hefti, Pink Floyd keyboardist Rick Wright, country music pioneer Charlie Walker, country singer Jerry Reed, the Replacements drummer Steve Foley, Louis Teicher of the piano duo Ferrante & Teicher, the Dixie Hummingbirds' Ira Tucker, rock and blues pioneer Bo Diddley, Rush's original drummer John Rutsey, singer Paul Davis, singer Al Wilson, the E Street Band keyboardist Danny Frederici, singer Sean Levert, reggae pioneer Mikey Dread, guitarist Chuck Day, "Do You Hear What I Hear" writer Gloria Shayne Baker, bluesman Jeff Healey, singer/drummer Buddy Miles, Void drummer Sean Finnegan, the Kingston Trio's John Stewart and Dave Matthews Band saxophonist Leroi Moore were a few of the notables that passed away in 2008.

So, in tribute to 2008, here are some specific laughs, cheers and jeers:

Best family oriented concert at the EnergySolutions Arena: Neil Diamond

Best family-oriented concert at the E Center: Jonas Brothers

Coolest solo artist E Center Concert: Jason Mraz

Loudest concert: Metallica at the EnergySolutions Arena.

Worth the wait: Coldplay at the EnergySolutions Arena.

Most nostalgic: (tie) The Police at USANA Amphitheatre and ABC, Belinda Carlisle, Naked Eyes and Human League at the Depot.

Most nostalgic to women ages 30-40: New Kids on the Block at the E Center.

Most musically straightforward concert: Mark Knopfler at Abravanel Hall.

Most versatile musician: Mike Shinoda of Linkin Park. The man played keys, emceed and sang at an E Center show.

Concert that ran the latest in a major venue: Kanye West. The show ended around midnight because one of his touring semis broke down.

A rescheduling that caused a great deal of controversy (at least in Utah): An ailing Celine Dion moving her show from Friday, Nov. 21, to Sunday, Feb. 22, 2009.

Fond farewell: Ministry (Jorgy, you rule)

Big welcome back: Metallica, Joe Cocker, Guns N' Roses

Most likely to break down in 2009: Britney Spears

Also, here's my Top 10 best CDs of 2008:

1. "Viva la Vida," Coldplay

2. "Death Magnetic," Metallica

3. "Paper Trail," T.I.

4. "Raising Sand," Robert Plant & Alison Krauss

5. "Lenka," Lenka

6. "Black Ice," AC/DC

7. "Home Before Dark," Neil Diamond

8. "808s & Heartbreak," Kanye West

9. "We Sing, We Dance, We Steal Things," Jason Mraz

10. "A Lovely Way to Spend Christmas," Kristin Chenoweth

Here's to next year. May it be better than 2008.

E-mail: scott@desnews.com