At the end of 2002, let us reflect on the pop/rock music biz during the year:
— Rush reunited with its original members, after debating whether or not to disband.
— Veteran punk-rock act X reunited with its original members — albeit temporarily.
— Rock legend the Who reunited, and when bassist John Entwistle died of a heart attack just before the tour, he was replaced so the tour could begin two days later.
— Eminem made his big-screen movie debut playing a troubled rapper whose mouth gets him into trouble . . . talk about type-casting!
— Nirvana fans emerged as winners when Courtney Love, widow of Nirvana leader Kurt Cobain, settled with the surviving band members to released a new tune, ironically titled "You Know You're Right."
— Britney Spears took a hiatus — but most of us blinked and missed it.
— Shania Twain returned with a No. 1 album, "Up," after taking a three-year break.
— Celine Dion is back singing after she allegedly took time off to be with her husband.
There were also some good things in the music world during the year:
— The Roots released a new album, "Phrenology."
— The Flaming Lips and Beck toured together.
— Former Metallica bassist Jason Newsted formed a new band called Echobrain, and he was slapped with a lawsuit by a band called Echodrain.
— Newsted is now the official bassist for Voivod.
This year's music scene was full of ups and downs . . . and everything in between. Highlights of the last 361 days:
Best Delta Center concert: Rush (Aug. 23)
Best E Center concert: Tom Petty & the Heart Breakers (Nov. 5)
Best Abravanel Hall concert: Dave Brubeck (Aug. 21)
Best Kingsbury Hall concert: Keb' Mo' (Nov. 2)
Best Saltair concert: Tenacious D (April 23)
Best outdoor concert: Jamgrass, featuring David Grisman, Sam Bush, etc. (Deer Valley)
Best club concert: X, Club X Scape (Nov. 21)
The Finally Playing a Concert Award: Creed in the Delta Center on Dec. 10, after postponing two shows (May 8 and Oct. 19) due to lead singer Scott Stapp's involvement in a fender-bender and coming down with laryngitis, respectively.
The Scott Stapp Award For Not Showing Up: Guns N' Roses lead singer Axl Rose, who canceled his band's Philadelphia gig on Dec. 6 — at 11:15 p.m., after opening band CKY and DJ Mix Master Mike had already completed their sets — due to "an illness."
Worst Axl Rose impersonation: Scott Stapp and Creed would refuse to allow photographers (even those with credentials) to take photos during a Salt Lake City concert.
Funniest thing said during a concert: "I looked like Britney Spears," by Barry Manilow in the Delta Center on June 27, as he described the long blonde hair, bell bottoms and satin shirt he sported during the '70s.
Dumbest things said during a concert: "I was born in 1985," by Enrique Iglesias during his Oct. 26 concert in the Delta Center, as he gave a heartfelt rundown of his life; he was actually born in 1975.
Second-dumbest thing said during a concert: "It's great to be in Salt Lake on a Friday night," by X bass guitarist John Doe during the band's Nov. 21 Club X Scape show . . . on Thursday.
Dumbest request: Former Rolling Stones bassist Bill Wyman threatening lawsuit in an attempt to force Atlanta Journal-Constitution writer Bill Wyman to change his name.
Best response to dumbest request: Atlanta Journal-Constitution's Bill Wyman telling Rolling Stone's Bill Wyman he had the name first. (The real name of the Stone's Wyman is William Perks.)
Most overrated artist: Sum 41
Most underrated artist: Las Ketchup
A big welcome back: Rush, No Doubt, Jethro Tull, Barry Manilow, Tool, Art Garfunkel, KMFDM, Phil Collins, Public Enemy, Dag Nasty and Beck.
Most anticipated new song: Nirvana's "You Know You're Right."
Most anticipated rock album: (Tie) Paul McCartney's "Back in the U.S." and George Harrison's "Brainwashed."
Most anticipated collaboration: Audioslave — former Soundgarden vocalist Chris Cornell with what's left of Rage Against the Machine, after Zack de la Rocha's departure.
Most anticipated collaboration, until we heard the ballads: See above entry.
Most disheartening return: The Who going on tour with only two original members (Pete Townshend and Roger Daltrey) two days after original bassist John Entwistle died.
Most anticipated return (for country fans): Shania Twain
Most anticipated rap album: Jay -Z "The Blueprint 2"
Quietest return: Phil Collins
Anti-Establishment-Turned-Respectable-Artist Award: Eminem
Hot new body: Missy "Misdemeanor" Elliott
Cold skanky body: Christina Aguilera
Best excuse for accidental exposure: Shakira's Miami concert and after-concert club party on Dec. 2.
Worst excuse for deliberate exposure: Christina Aguilera in her video "Dirrty" (yes, it's spelled right).
Best trend: Video game soundtracks: "Grand Theft Auto: Vice City" (Playstation 2), "Halo" (X-Box) and "Animal Crossing" (Nintendo Gamecube)
Worst trend: Boy-band and girl-band solo artists: Justin Timberlake, Nick Carter, Beyonce Knowles.
How Can We Miss You If You Won't Go Away Awards: L.A. Guns, Warrant, Mariah Carey, Courtney Love, Christina Aguilera.
Go Away, But Leave Your Music Award: Michael Jackson
Just Go Away Award: "The Osbournes"
Come Back and Visit Award: Larry Pattis
You Will Be Missed Awards: Jam Master Jay (Run D.M.C.), Dee Dee Ramone (the Ramones), John Entwistle (the Who), Layne Staley (Alice in Chains), Joe Strummer (the Clash), Lisa "Left Eye" Lopes (TLC), Ray Brown, Michael Houser (Widespread Panic), Lionel Hampton, Derek Bell (the Chieftains), Randy Castillo (Motley Crue), Peggy Lee, Esquivel, Waylon Jennings, Ray Coniff, Rosemary Clooney and Howard "Happy" Goodman (Goodman Family).
E-MAIL: scott@desnews.com
E-MAIL: jeff@desnews.com