Ozzy named living legend at rock awards

Prince of Darkness Ozzy Osbourne was tonight named a living legend at the Marshall Classic Rock Roll of Honour awards.

Mon, 03 Nov, 2008 - 22:45

Prince of Darkness Ozzy Osbourne was tonight named a living legend at the Marshall Classic Rock Roll of Honour awards.

The Black Sabbath frontman, who has also enjoyed solo success, was handed the award by guitar legend Slash at the gathering of rock glitterati in London.

Past recipients include Alice Cooper, Lemmy and Jimmy Page.

Slash, the former Guns N’ Roses guitarist, received the Marshall “11” award “for his services to balls-out guns-blazing rock n’ roll”.

Led Zeppelin won event of the year prize for their return to the live circuit last December for their one-off London 02 show and album of the year went to Whitesnake for 'Good To Be Bad'.

The event also celebrated the 10th anniversary of 'Classic Rock' magazine.

Editor-in-chief Scott Rowley said: “Ten years ago people said a magazine like 'Classic Rock' couldn’t last...

“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 Roll Of Honour is a celebration of rock music as the most vital and vibrant genre of music.”

Dave Grohl sent in an acceptance speech thanking Classic Rock readers after Foo Fighters were named band of the year.

Kiss’s guitarist Paul Stanley received the showman award.

Australian rockers Airbourne picked up best new band, while their rock influences AC/DC, won DVD of the year for 'Plug Me In'.

Metallica, who have announced a UK and European tour, won the gong for re-issue of the year for their first three albums.

The award was picked up by the producer of 'Kill ’Em All', 'Ride The Lightning' and 'Master of Puppets', Flemming Rassmussen.

Jeff Beck was honoured for outstanding contribution and Fleetwood Mac’s Peter Green picked up classic songwriter.

Sharon Osbourne presented the Armand de Brignac VIP award to music promoter Harvey Goldsmith.

Wayne Kramer from MC5 was named metal guru and Jack Bruce picked up classic album for Cream’s 'Disraeli Gears'.

Pink Floyd’s Syd Barrett was posthumously awarded the Tommy Vance inspiration award, collected by his sister Rosemary.

The Classic Rock Childline award went to Canadian rocker Bryan Adams.

The event was hosted by Planet Rock DJ Nicky Horne.

Awards were voted for by fans as well as a magazine panel.

Osbourne joked about his award saying: “I hope I don’t die on the way home.”

Wearing a black velvet jacket and round purple-tinted glasses he was asked what the secret of his marriage was and replied: “Get a good crash helmet.”

Asked by one female journalist which male actor had the sexiest chest Osbourne replied: “How the f*** do I know?”

He hugged wife Sharon who was wearing a huge poppy.

Slash also wore a poppy in his trademark top hat.

Comedian Jon Culshaw also attended the event. He said that he and Ozzy Osbourne had worked together on a few sketches over the years.

Culshaw said he played him “quite affectionately”.

Speaking about the BBC’s prank calls row he said he could imagine Jonathan Ross and Russell Brand getting “a bit competitive”. He said it seemed that a sense of judgment had been lost and “they got carpeted for it. That should be it now”.

He said about his own comedy that it had to be funny rather than shocking just for the sake of it.

Here is the Marshall Classic Rock Roll of Honour winners list:

::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