Classic Rock Roll of Honour Award Winners 2012 check out our interviews

Hosted by Guns ‘n’ Roses, Velvet Revolver and Loaded’s Duff McKagan, The Orange Amplification Classic Rock Roll Of Honour in association with currencies.co.uk was once again the highlight of the awards calendar, gathering the great and good of the rock world to celebrate this year’s winners.

The evening’s guests of honour, and recipients of the coveted Living Legend Award were ZZ Top, and they picked up their trophy from arguably the greatest guitar player of all time − and 2011 Living Legend recipient − Jeff Beck. ZZ Top join a select and honoured few who have previously received the accolade, including Jimmy Page, Alice Cooper and Iggy Pop

This year's event provided the usual high octane rock n roll entertainment. Now in its eighth year and returning to Camden’s Roundhouse, The Classic Rock Roll of Honour rewarded Rush, Pink Floyd, Status Quo and Anthrax in front of a venue rammed with rock royalty.

The Classic Rock Roll Of Honour celebrates the world’s biggest-selling artists alongside newcomers to the scene, and this November has been a month of rock like no other, with some of the world’s greatest acts taking to the road or releasing albums, films and DVDs.

Roxy Music founding member and guitarist Phil Manzanera picked up the Musicians Union Maestro Award. Rival Sons were the winners of Breakthrough Act Of The Year following the recent release of their second album ‘Head Down’. The late Jon Lord, best known for his work with Deep Purple, was awarded the Tommy Vance Inspiration Award. Russ Ballard picked up the award for Classic Songwriter in recognition to his outstanding catalogue of hits that include ‘Since You’ve Been Gone’ and ‘God Gave Rock ‘n’ Roll To You’

It was a good night for English rock bands Status Quo, The Damned and Family who picked up Classic Album Award, Outstanding Contribution and Spirit Of Prog Award respectively. Critic and fan favourite Anthrax added another trophy to their cabinet, winning the Metal Guru Award.

Respected music manager Tony Smith was recognised with the VIP Award. Motley Crue founder and bassist Nikki Sixx, who recorded his radio show Sixx Sense from the awards, fittingly won Showman of the Year.

Winners from the five reader-voted categories were also announced through the evening. Best New Band went to Tracer. Album Of The Year went to ‘Clockwork Angels’ by Rush, who also won Band Of The Year. Rock legends Pink Floyd were also multiple winners picking up Re-issue Of The Year for ‘Immersions’ and the Film/DVD Award for ‘The Story Of Wish You Were Here’.

The awards show was broken up with a performance from newcomers Saint Jude and was topped off with a staggering performance from winners of the Comeback Award, Lynyrd Skynyrd. Comebacks don’t come any bigger than Skynyrd, who have endured more than most but this year returned with one of the best albums of their career.

The Winners:

The Living Legend Award (Sponsored by Orange Amplification) - ZZ Top
Event Of The Year (Sponsored by Roadrunner) – Ginger Raises £250k
Breakthrough Act Of The Year (sponsored by Olympus) - Rival Sons
The Musicians’ Union Maestro Award - Phil Manzanera
Tommy Vance Inspiration Award (Sponsored by Lewis Leathers) - Jon Lord
Classic Songwriter Award (Sponsored by Sennheiser) - Russ Ballard
Outstanding Contribution (sponsored by Monitor Audio) - The Damned
Classic Album Award (sponsored by Eagle Rock) - Status Quo ‘Live!’
V.I.P. Award (sponsored by currencies.co.uk) - Tony Smith
Metal Guru Award (sponsored by Mascot Label Group) - Anthrax
Best New Band (sponsored by Kraken) - Tracer
Album Of The Year – Rush ‘Clockwork Angels’
Reissue Of The Year (sponsored by Alchemy) - Pink Floyd’s ‘Immersion’
Film/DVD Award - Pink Floyd ‘The Story Of Wish You Were Here’
Band Of The Year (sponsored by Live Nation) - Rush
Spirit Of Prog Award (sponsored by USM / UMC) - Family
Showman Of The Year (sponsored by Rimowa) - Nikki Sixx
Comeback Award (Sponsored by Jeffery West) - Lynyrd Skynyrd

Music-News.com was on the red carpet and winners room to speak with all the stars, see the videos below.









And check out the uncut red carpet action and see how many rock icons you can spot!