Generally outside of the pop courts, but filling the tabloids nonetheless, were Guns N Roses, who returned to the stage in 2006, even though we still didn't get to hear long long awaited comeback album 'Chinese Democracy'. Nevertheless, Axl Rose kept himself in the headlines, whether it be through brawls in Swedish hotels or public feuds with support acts or by publicly sacking his manager.
Madonna courted more controversy, firstly by writhing around on a large crucifix as part of her Confessions Tour show, a routine that caused outrage amongst various Christian groups, though Madge kept it in the show, despite protests and, in Germany, the threat of criminal charges. And then by adopting a young sort-of orphan from Malawi - a move that led to criticism partly because of the speed with which the adoption seemed to have been arranged, and also because the 'orphan' actually had a dad. Said dad, of course, was in favour of the adoption, despite some confusion as to what exactly 'adoption' means, though groups that oppose the adoption in Malawi continue to fight it through the courts.
Michael Jackson continued to create tabloid interest in 2006, despite staying out of the public eye in the main. Though his custody battle with ex-wife Debbie Rowe continued, and there was talk of Jacko being back in the studio, much tabloid interest in Jackson was in his financial affairs. As it was revealed Neverland employees were going unpaid, and that employee liability insurance there was no longer valid, there was much speculation as to if and how Jackson could pay off his much reported debts. In the end a deal with Sony - his business partners in the Sony/ATV music publishing empire - seemingly put things back into order, for the time being at least, and the Neverland staff were paid and the liability insurance renewed, though the workforce at his former home was downsized. After that Jacko stories centered on the star setting up and then seemingly closing down a new record label, on the never ending wait for that post-Hurricane Katrina charity record, and on his somewhat bizarre performance at the World Music Awards in London.
Guns N Roses, Madonna and Michael Jackson, not to mention George Michael's 'asleep at the wheel' and 'found on the Heath' incidents. Was it all old timers in the pop tabloids this year? Well, not all. Keane's Tom Chaplin and The Darkness' Justin Hawkins joined Doherty in rehab, which created quite a few headlines, and led to the cancellation of the former's tour, and pretty much the end of the latter's band. Meanwhile, with a greatest hits album to promote, the Gallaghers returned, ready to badmouth pretty much anyone bar new mates Kasabian, though you often didn't notice because fans of pop bitching were too busy waiting to see who new-on-the-scene Lily Allen would slag off next.
And of course, when it came to bitching, Girls Aloud, also with a greatest hits album to promote, were always good for a quote. Especially about reformed-this-year rivals All Saints - who the Girls Aloud unfairly accused of nicking their sound, although given how lack lustre the All Saints reunion turned out to be, at least that got Shaznay et al in the papers.
Take That's return to the stage, and record, however was a huge success, encouraging of all sorts of teen bands of old to have another go, even East 17, albeit for a one off gig. Four of 5ive also announced a reunion though we haven't heard much since that announcement. And of course five former boy/teenband stars took part in MTV's Totally Boyband to create a new uber-boyband, the dreadfully named Upper Street. Not sure what happened to them - the four of the five that made it to the end of the series seemed very enthusiastic with their new venture, though their debut single didn't exactly top the charts, so I don't know if we'll hear from them again in 2007.