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John Paul Jones and |Jimmy Page were in both attendance at the sixth annual Marshall Classic Rock Roll Of Honour Awards staged at London’s Roundhouse last night.

Following sets by The Union and Alter Bridge (the latter featured guest guitarist Slash), the awards got underway with Alice Cooper as master of ceremonies along with co presenter Sarah Cawood.

Ronnie Wood accepted the Reissue of the Year award for The Rolling Stones Exile On Main Street, Julian Temple made the evening’s longest speech in accepting the Best DVD/Film award for his Dr Feelgood documentary Oil City Confidential. It was good to see Glenn Hughes honoured with the Childline Rocks award.

In a poignant moment, tribute was paid to the late Ronnie James Dio with the Tommy Vance Inspiration award being accepted by his widow Wendy who made a moving speech.

Oher winners included The Union (Best New Band – ‘’I’m 50 years old and in the best new band!’’ laughed Luke Morley) Rick Wakeman (Spirit Of Prog), Journey Don’t Stop Believing (Event of the Year) Slash (Album of the Year)  AC/DC (Band of the Year), Geezer Butler (Metal Guru), Imelda May (Breakthrough Act), Roy Wood (Classic Songwriter),  Cheap Trick (Classic Album), Michael Schenker (Marshall 11 award)  John Jackson (VIP award) and Rush (Living Legends award accepted by Geddy Lee)

Before introducing Jimmy Page to the stage, Alice Cooper explained how he first met him when the Alice Cooper band had shared the bill with Jimmy’s band .’’The didn’t know who we were and we didn’t know who they were but the guitarist had been in the Yardbirds and we all loved them. The band were Led Zeppelin’’. Jimmy then took to the stage and gave a short speech about Jaz Coleman and Killing Joke before presenting their Innovator award.

‘’I was introduced to this guy by a mutual friend and he came round to my house and he immediately seemed a wacky eccentric guy. I’d go to see his band –  well THE band because everyone in it was well happening.  The guy I’m talking abut is Jaz Coleman and Geordie the guitar player had one of the most incredible guitar sounds of the 80s.  I’ve got to say that what they created with their band was running out of stream with all those keyboard bands that were taking over. They were doing some really intense and dense stuff. I’m pleased to give this award to some real innovators and it’s Killing Joke.’’

John Paul Jones appearance was preceded by an excellent compilation video clip compiled by Sam Rapallo of his life in music. The soundtrack included Donovan’s Mellow Yellow, Kashmir, No Quarter, REM’s Everybody Hurts cut to various footage from his early work through Zeppelin to Them Crooked Vultures.

Introduced by Alice Cooper as ‘’The indestructible John Paul Jones’’, John took to the stage to accept the Outstanding Contribution award to a tremendous reception.

”Thank you Classic Rock.  Great to see the new bands doing the old school stuff . The Union, Alter Bridge…re assuring to see nothing much has changed -no light on the bass player or the drummer (laughter and applause).

When I was a young boy of 14 and I was clambering to play bass guitar. I’d just heard Shakin’ All Over coming out of the seaside juke box and of course we all wanted to be Jet Harris in those days. I said to my dad who was a pianist  ”I really want to learn the bass guitar.’’

My father said to me ‘’Son, the bass guitar’s a novelty instrument – in two years time you’ll never hear of it. Take up the saxophone and you will always work.’’  Sorry Dad…

Of course you can’t do this  sort of thing alone espcially if you’re bass player… I’d just like to thank so many people. My wife of 45 years and my family (applause). All the band members, Jet Harris, Tony Meehan, Zeppelin, Jimmy, the other group I’ve just been playing around the world with the Vultures. I’d also like to say what an honour it was to be part of a John Bonham rhythm section – this is for him too.” (mass applause)

After the main presentations, Cheap Trick played a well received set. I had a quick chat with the ever affable Glenn Hughes who said he was very much looking forward to the Black Country Communion dates in late December. He also filled me in on the night’s Premier league football results  being slightly aggrieved that Wolves had slumped to a 2-0 defeat at home to Arsenal.

I also caught up with John who showed me the very grand looking Classic Rock Outstanding Contribution trophy.   ‘’Along with the Gold Badge award that’s two in a month’’ he laughed. He revealed that he has ambitious plans to write his own opera, a project that will unfold over the next year or so working in conjunction with theatre director Gerald Thomas.  John will also be contributing to the opera Anna Nicole which is being performed at the Royal Opera House next February. More on this in the next TBL magazine.

From Jet Harris to the Royal Opera House is some journey. In between there have been many moments of immense musical invention that has rightly earned John Paul Jones this Classic Rock Outstanding Contribution award.

It was an absolute privilege to be in attendance to see him receive it.

Dave Lewis – November 11th 2010