Rolling Stone Wood wins rock gong

By Tim Masters
Entertainment correspondent, BBC News

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Classic rockers say they will never quit

Rolling Stones star Ronnie Wood won the outstanding contribution honour at the Classic Rock Awards- and revealed that it was his first ever accolade.

"It means a lot," said the musician. "It's about time - I've never had one just for myself."

Wood - who has also played with The Faces - was rewarded for his "ageless presence on the scene".

Other stars at the London event included former Guns N' Roses guitarist Slash and Aerosmith's Joe Perry.

Ronnie Wood was presented with his award by The Who's Pete Townshend

Musical recognition was also given to the late Led Zeppelin drummer John Bonham, Cream's drummer Ginger Baker and the punk pioneer Iggy Pop, who was named a living legend.

AC/DC's Black Ice, which charted at number one in 29 countries, was voted album of the year by readers of Classic Rock magazine.

Iron Maiden, who won band of the year, revealed they had already started writing songs for their 15th studio album.

"We're going to Paris for three weeks to work on some new stuff," guitarist Janick Gers told the BBC.

"The most important thing for a band is to create new music, otherwise you're not valid - you become a parody."

Cowboy stomp

DVD/film of the year went to the documentary Anvil! The Story of Anvil - which has led to renewed popularity for the Canadian metal band, who formed in the late 70s.

Frontman Steve "Lips" Kudlow said: "I'm a guy who's worked my whole life for this, and it's the most rewarding moment I've ever had."

He also revealed that a big-screen sequel was likely.

"Everybody wants to know what the outcome is. I would say there is a very good chance there will be a follow-up to this."

Guitarist Joe Perry accepted the classic album award for Aerosmith's 1976 album Rocks.

Everybody wants to know what the outcome is. I would say there is a very good chance there will be a follow-up Anvil's Steve Kudlow (centre) on the chances of a sequel to their hit rockumentary

Asked for a memory from the recording sessions, he said: "I remember we taped tambourines to Steven Tyler's cowboy boots and had him stomp on pieces of plywood to get that sound."

Perry, who had just flown in from an Aerosmith gig in Dubai, said that the band was now "on vacation, on sabbatical".

"It's indefinite right now," he added, "all I plan to do is tour with the Joe Perry Project every minute that I can."

Keyboard hero Rick Wakeman presented the spirit of prog award to American progressive metal band Dream Theater.

Dream Theater's Mike Portnoy said: "We spent our first 15 years enduring tough reviews and we've been fortunate to see things turn round."

Name-checking bands like Radiohead, Mastodon and The Mars Volta, he added: "In the last 10 years this kind of music, the spirit of prog, has been more embraced than criticised - which is amazing."