THE SEVENTH ANNUAL AWARD CEREMONY CELEBRATES THE MOST INFLUENTIAL AND INSPIRING MUSICIANS IN THE WORLD

 

LIVING LEGEND AWARD WINNER JEFF BECK PLAYS A UNIQUE AND EXCLUSIVE PERFORMANCE WITH GUESTS JOSS STONE AND

CHRISSIE HYNDE

 

QUEEN, LEMMY, MANIC STREET PREACHERS, THE WHO, FOO FIGHTERS AMONGST OTHER 2011 WINNERS

 

Hosted by the irrepressible co-frontman of Kiss and all round rock legend Gene Simmons, The Orange Amplification Classic Rock Roll Of Honour in association with currencies.co.uk proved once again why it is one of the most prestigious music award ceremonies of the year, rewarding the best of the all-time best.

 

A traditionally legendary evening, the awards room collected together a gathering of some of the most successful rock musicians of all time. Between them, the winners have sold almost one billion albums to fans all over the world.

 

Now in its seventh year and taking place at the world famous Roundhouse in Camden, Lemmy, Foo Fighters, Steve Winwood, Manic Street Preachers, Queen and The Who were among the acts to receive gongs.

 

The Classic Rock Roll Of Honour is not just about sales, it’s about great music that will stand the test of time. It has become one of the most respected and highly anticipated music events of the year and is a career milestone for the lucky few. In its short history, it has celebrated the work of some of the world’s most influential and respected musicians.

 

Jeff Beck, rated as perhaps the greatest guitar player of all time, was awarded the highest accolade of the evening, The Living Legend Award. Presented by Roger Taylor from Queen, the announcement was met with a standing ovation from a room full of his peers. Previous winners of this coveted award include Rush, Alice Cooper, Ozzy Osbourne and Iggy Pop.

 

Jeff then took to the stage for an incendiary performance with guest performers including soul sensation Joss Stone and The Pretenders’ Chrissie Hynde for a unique never-to-be-seen-again performance.

 

When asked how he felt about being host of the 2011 Roll Of Honour Gene Simmons said: “A privilege and an honour wouldn’t cover it. For me this will be a memory of a lifetime. Signed by the God Of Thunder.”

 

Classic Rock magazine’s Chris Ingham had this to say about this year’s awards:

 

“In a music industry struggling to build careers, many of this year’s winners have been at the top of their game for decades through great music, creativity, breathtaking tours and staying relevant to their fans. Once again, we are honoured to have gathered together the greatest talent in music. The winners have proved themselves with long and illustrious careers, bringing pleasure to millions. And this year, we welcome the Manic Street Preachers as first time winners, proving that there are still artists who can stand the test of time and constantly innovate and create at the highest level.”

 

 

THE WINNERS:

 

The Living Legend Award (sponsored by Orange Amplification) goes to Jeff Beck, one of the finest musicians of the 1960′s generation who established the UK as a rock powerhouse. As part of The Yardbirds and as a solo artist, he has never stood still, embracing modern technology and sounds from around the world. Yet he has always returned to the guitar, the instrument that marks him out as one of the most unique artists on the planet and one of the most revered by other musicians. Jeff is still consistently winning Grammy Awards in the USA, and Classic Rock is proud to acknowledge his extraordinary career.

 

Event Of The Year is awarded to Roger Waters’ ‘The Wall Live Tour’. This worldwide trip of 185 shows was met with huge critical acclaim and has become one of the highest grossing tours of all time, playing to 1.6 million people. Pink Floyd’s The Wall album was released in 1979, demonstrating precisely the enduring appeal that marks out Classic Rock artists.

 

Breakthrough Act Of The Year (sponsored by Universal Music) was Black Country Communion. The rock supergroup only formed in 2010 with Glenn Hughes, Jason Bonham, Derek Sherinian and Joe Bonamassa. They released their second album this summer, finding chart success across the world.

 

The Spirit Of Prog (sponsored by EMI) this year goes to Jethro Tull. Having sold over 60 million albums, they broke down musical boundaries and challenged their listeners with a never-before-heard sound that incorporated classical, folk and rock. Led since their 1967 inception by Ian Anderson, they were one of the highlights of Classic Rock’s High Voltage Festival in the summer.

 

The Innovator Award (sponsored by Rimowa) goes to Deep Purple, undisputed pioneers of Heavy Metal and hard rock. With standards like Smoke On The Water, Purple pushed the genre to new heights, blending it with classical music, funk and soul, while Ian Gillan set the blueprint for a new generation of hard rock vocalists. The fact they have sold an incredible 100 million albums speaks for itself.

 

Steve Winwood is simply one of the most inspirational musicians the UK has ever produced. Known as a true musician’s musician, he was honoured by his songwriting peers and received the Musicians’ Union Maestro Award. Steve found initial success with the Spencer Davis Group at just 14 years old, translating American Blues and R&B (he backed touring blues legends while still at school) into the DNA of UK rock. Due to the early start, his career has lasted nearly 50 years, embracing other iconic bands including Traffic and super group Blind Faith, as well as finding solo success.

 

The late Steve Marriott is recognised as one of the greatest rock voices this country has ever produced. The frontman for the Small Faces and Humble Pie, he laid the foundations for great British vocalists. Classic Rock is delighted to honour this great man with the Tommy Vance Inspiration award.

 

Winning the accolade of Classic Songwriter (sponsored by Fender),the Manic Street Preachers have evolved across 10 studio albums in almost 20 years, producing huge hits known by millions around the globe, while maintaining their status as critics’ darlings. First time winners at the Classic Rock Roll of Honour they began heir career in the 1990s and celebrate their 21st anniversary this year with aptly titled National Treasures album.

 

Outstanding Contribution (sponsored by Monitor Audio) goes to Bob Ezrin. The man behind some of the greatest rock bands of the past 20 years, he has produced albums for Alice Cooper, NIN. Pink Floyd, Rod Stewart, Lou Reed and Kiss – to mention but a few. Alice calls Bob “our George Martin”: just a sample of the regard he is held in by the rock community.

 

As one of the most iconic metal bands ever, The Scorpions finally announced they were retiring in 2010 after 46 years and over 100 million sold albums, only to go back in the studio this year to start recording new material. They truly deserve the Metal GuruAward (sponsored by Mascot Label Group).

 

The Who’s ‘Quadrophenia’ was their sixth album and found huge success around the world. Described by Pete Townsend as “The best music I’ve ever written”, this album is a constant fixture in the 100 greatest albums of all time and winner of the 2011 Classic Album Award (sponsored by Ear Music).

 

Baron Wolman worked for Rolling Stone magazine from it inception as a 21 year old and there is hardly a rock star he has not taken a photo of. Responsible for untold amounts of iconic rock images, Baron has chronicled our culture and Classic Rock is delighted to honour him with its VIP Award (sponsored by currencies.co.uk).

 

Winners from five reader-voted categories were announced through the evening. Best New Band (sponsored by Kraken) went to Vintage Trouble, Album Of The Year (sponsored by Eagle Vision) went to Michael Monroe for ‘Sensory Overdrive’, rock gods Queen pick up Re-issue Of The Year (sponsored by Alchemy) for their ‘Re-Issues’ package of their five albums, The Film/DVD Award went to Lemmy for ‘Lemmy’ and Band Of The Year (sponsored by Live Nation) went to the Foo Fighters.

 

 

JEFF BECK, WINNER OF THE THE ORANGE AMPLIFICATION LIVING LEGEND AWARD, INTERVIEWED AT THE AWARDS CEREMONY:

 

Click on the link:

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zjBd6esRGWY