Fantastic article. Definitely a great year for music, not least becuase of Live Aid as you mentioned. If I could go back in time!

Also worth noting A View To A Kill by Duran Duran, which is still, to this day, the only Bond theme to reach number one in America.

Personally, I have always been fond of 1984 and I think if I had to pick one year of that incredible decade as the best year, it would probably be that one, but you've made an excellent case for 85! Well done.