Certain years leap out at you because so many significant, and in some cases history-making, things happened during those 12 months. 2008 was not one of those years, at least not in show business. It is, in fact, most noteworthy for the downturn in the economy which, directly or indirectly, affected everything. 

But on the plus side, the United States proved that it is making progress both in terms of ethics and common sense by electing the intelligent, insightful, classy and smooth Barack Obama president of the United States. It is to just about everyone’s advantage that he won. 

But there was “entertainment” during the long campaign. What could have been more “entertaining” than the bizarre and unentionally comical Sarah Palin? Tina Fey repeatedly lampooning Palin on “Saturday Night Live” was on target. 

We have clearly entered a new era. 

MAXWELL, who had been out of sight though not necessarily out of mind for a long time, suddenly began performing again, even doing a concert tour. Ticket sales were brisk, even though the long awaited album, oddly titled “Black Summers’ Night,” had not been released. It is to be a trilogy released over a three-year period, starting in 2009. During his hiatus, Maxwell, who by the way, keeps his full name secret, said he enjoyed living a regular life. 

It again became evident that time does indeed fly when three pop music icons, Prince, Madonna and Michael Jackson, reached the big 5-O. 

Ending months of speculation, rumors, gossip and blog entries, Beyonce Knowles and Jay-Z were married in April. However, talk continued, focused on Beyonce supposedly expecting. The megastar was not and is not “with child.” She recently said on national television that “people want me to be pregnant.” She chalked it up to being the type of thing celebrities have to deal with. As for advising women on getting married, she said, “Have a life of your own before you get married.” 

Patti LaBelle, Nona Hendryx and Sarah Dash, who were so hot in the ’70s, reunited in 2009. The album is titled “Back to Now” and features a stunning rendition of the quirky Cole Porter composition “Miss Otis Regrets.” 

Unfortunately, we had to say goodbye to a lot of people, including Eartha Kitt, Isaac Hayes, Bo Diddley, Heath Ledger, record producer Jerry Wexler, Bernie Mac, Levi Stubbs, Detroit vocalist Nathaniel Mayer, Odetta, Dee Dee Warwick, George Carlin, Ivan Dixon, Pervis Jackson of the Spinners, Sean Levert, Miriam Makeba, Buddy Miles, Paul Newman, former Motown president Jheryl Busby, producer/songwriter Norman Whitfield and Fantastic Four member Joseph Pruitt. It could be said that they moved on to whatever comes next...”changed addresses,” so to speak. In our hearts, they will always be here. 

Deborah Smith Pollard, educator and Detroit radio personality, wrote an intriguing book about gospel music with an unusual title, “When the Church Becomes Your Party.” 

ARETHA FRANKLIN overreacted when Beyonce introduced Tina Turner as “the queen” on a televised awards tribute. (Beyonce had just included Franklin in a salute to some of the greatest ladies in Black music history.) Aretha, who was in the audience, felt this was a dilberate insult. Beyonce never said “queen of soul.” If she had, that would have been something entirely different. Tina Turner is indeed a queen, as are Diana Ross, Gladys Knight, Lena Horne, Dionne Warwick, Patti LaBelle, Nancy Wilson and a select few others. Aretha Franklin is much too intelligent a woman to engage in such wasteful negativity. Clearly, no harm was intended. 

And speaking of conflict, Wendy Williams and Omarosa had a nasty enchange of words on Williams’ TV show. 

Just when we all got settled into DVDs, along comes Blu-ray. True, it is part of natural progress, but such innovations are also to make people spend more money. DVDs are just fine for me and a lot of other people. We are not buying a Blu-ray player. 

The super-talented Lawrence Fishburne joined the cast of “CSI: Crime Scene Investigation.” 

Without question, the worst tragedy of the year was the murder of Oscar-winning actress/ singer Jennifer Hudson’s mother, sister and nephew. There is just no logic in such a horrendous thing happening, and Hudson will, understandably, never be the same again. This happened right when she was reaching new peaks in her career, including the release of her long-awaited debut album, which has been certified Gold for sales in excess of one million units and is a sure bet to go Platinum (one million). 

Terrence Howard, the great actor, made an album. So did TV personality Wayne Brady. 

Mariah Carey and actor/music star Nick Cannon surprised everyone by becoming a serious couple and, later, getting married. Whether justified or not, Carey has a reputation for being a somewhat superficial diva, but she is showing a different, more human side of herself, especially now that she is expecting.

Natalie Cole is facing a very serious health challenge, and she is in our thoughts and prayers. 

Keith Sweat and Donna Summer both made an album following a long absence from the recording studio. Summer’s sales got a boost from an appearance on the much-watched “American Idol.” And Michelle Williams, formerly of Destiny’s Child, made a dance/party album titled “Unexpected.” That title was chosen because her first two solo album were contemporary gospel. Williams says loving to party has nothing to do with her faith, and she is correct.