February 2005 - Platinum Europe Awards

March 3, 2005

There may be rumours of retirement but George Michael reigns in February's list of album sales as Older scoops its fifth Platinum Europe Award.

Achieving their first Platinum Europe Award, Scottish rock quartet Franz Ferdinand took their name from an archduke whose assassination sparked World War 1. Apt, as the release of their critically acclaimed self-titled debut album Franz Ferdinand has galvanised the domestic music press. Their success followed them across the pond, earning them an MTV Music Video Award. Back home Franz Ferdinand walked away with two Brit Awards, winning Best Rock Act and Best British Band, and received Best International Group and Album at Meteor Ireland Music Awards 2005.

Sealing the division between pop and classical music the band Il Divo formed after a world-wide search which took more than two years. The quartet, hailing from US, Switzerland, France and Spain, reflect their multi-nationalities in their singing, a mixture of Spanish, English and Italian. The album Il Divo gains a Platinum Europe Award.

Absolution, the third studio album by Muse, gained a Platinum Europe Award for sales of one million across Europe earning the band their first Platinum recognition. The English rock trio were also winners of Best Alternative and Best UK & Ireland act at 2004's MTV Europe Awards, and won awards for best live act at this year's Brits and NME Awards ceremonies.

Rammstein assembled in 1993 from a group of factory-weary workers in East Germany. Named after the location of a German tragedy where 80 people were killed as a result of a crash during an American Air Force flight show, the band's reputation was built on their live performance. One-time Olympic swimmer, vocalist Till Lindemann would sing entire songs engulfed in fire from head to foot. Herzeleid, the group's debut album achieved its first Platinum Europe Award in February.

Confessions reached double Platinum Europe Award for Usher in this month's awards. It has been over ten years since the artist first made his mark on the R&B scene, and four albums later he is now an established artist with his album selling gold and platinum in 11 countries across Europe.

After a six year hiatus, George Michael released his third solo album Older in 1996. In February 2005, Older reached the 5 x Platinum Europe mark, gaining George Michael 10 Platinum Europe Awards in total. The album has also reached national platinum sales status in 18 European countries.

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