Ozzy to be crowned living legend

Rock star Ozzy Osbourne is to be given the living legend award in the Classic Rock Roll of Honour this year.

He will pick up his award at November's Classic Rock awards, where Whitesnake, Led Zeppelin and Def Leppard are all nominated for three awards.

The list was revealed by Alice Cooper, who is a previous living legend recipient, at a press event in London.

On hearing of his award Osbourne said: "I couldn't be happier to know that Classic Rock haven't written me off!"

"Seriously, it's a great honour and I'm looking forward to going to my first Classic Rock Awards in November. Can't wait to see you there," he added.

Last year's recipient was Led Zeppelin guitarist Jimmy Page, whose broken finger was the talk of the evening.

Comeback kids

This time the band are up for event of the year, following their much-hyped reunion gig - which was temporarily delayed by that injured digit.

The comeback show, at London's O2 Arena, was the band's first gig in more than 19 years. More than a million people entered a ballot for just 9,000 pairs of tickets.

Also shortlisted in the event category are Sheffield rockers Def Leppard and David Coverdale's Whitesnake, who receive a joint nominated for their combined tour.

They go up against metal festival Hard Rock Hell, Iron Maiden's world tour and Kiss's appearance at the Download festival.

Album of the Year sees Def Leppard and Whitesnake mentioned again, alongside Black Crowes and Alice Cooper, as well as newcomers Big Linda and Stone Gods and four others.

Def Leppard, Whitesnake and Led Zeppelin also appear in the Band of the Year category, competing against facepainted rockers Kiss and Dave Grohl's Foo Fighters.

The winners will be announced at a gala ceremony on 3 November at London's Park Lane Hotel.