The Foo Fighters were crowned Band of the Year at last night’s Marshall Classic Rock n' Roll of Honour awards (sponsored by Armand de Brignac (03.11.08).
The band’s frontman Dave Grohl accepted the prize in a video acceptance speech screened at the London ceremony, which marked the 10th anniversary of the event.Ozzy Osbourne was presented with the Living Legend award by former Guns N' Roses guitarist Slash - who was also honoured with the Marshall '11’ award for his 'services to balls-out guns-blazing rock n' roll" - while veteran rockers Whitesnake collected the Best Album award for 'Good To Be Bad’.
The Outstanding Contribution award was presented to guitar legend Jeff Beck by Rolling Stones guitarist Ronnie Wood.
Led Zeppelin - who recently announced plans to tour without original singer Robert Plant - scooped the Event of the Year prize for their tribute concert to late Atlantic Records boss Ahmet Ertegun at The O2 in London last December.
Kiss guitarist Paul Stanley was awarded Showman of the Year and Australian band Airbourne were named Best New Band. Scott Rowley, editor-in-chief of Classic Rock magazine, praised rock’s return to the mainstream.
He said: "Ozzy's a household name and bands like AC/DC, Led Zeppelin, Metallica and Guns N' Roses are getting more headlines and front covers than ever, breaking box office records and topping the charts.
"The Classic Rock Roll of Honour is a celebration of rock music as the most vital and vibrant genre of music."
Former Pink Floyd member Syd Barrett - who died in 2006 - was posthumously honoured with the Inspiration Award. The winners are voted for by readers of Classic Rock magazine.
The Marshall Classic Rock Roll of Honour 2008 list of winners:
Album of the Year sponsored by Universal Music Catalogue/Lost Tunes: Whitesnake - 'Good To Be Bad’
Band of the Year sponsored by Live Nation: Foo Fighters
Re-issue of the Year sponsored by Rock Radio: Metallica - First three albums: Vinyl re-issues
DVD of the Year sponsored by Play.com: AC/DC - 'Plug Me In’
Event of the Year sponsored by Music Live: Led Zeppelin at the 02 arena
Best New Band sponsored by Provogue: Airbourne
Classic Songwriter sponsored by 'Guitar Hero’: Peter Green (Fleetwood Mac) Showman Award sponsored by Guinness: Paul Stanley (Kiss)
The Armand de Brignac VIP Award: Harvey Goldsmith
Gibson presents the Tommy Vance Inspiration Award: Syd Barrett
Classic Album sponsored by Eagle Rock: Cream - 'Disraeli Gears’ Metal Guru sponsored by Plastic Head Distribution: Wayne Kramer (MC5) Classic Rock/Childline award: Bryan Adams
Outstanding Contribution sponsored by Monitor Audio: Jeff Beck
Marshall '11’ Award: Slash
Living Legend sponsored by Marshall: Ozzy Osbourne
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