At the annual Classic Rock & Roll Of Honour Awards held on Monday night at the Park Lane Hotel in London, John Bonham was awarded the Tommy Vance Inspiration Award. The award is in recognition of John’s continued inspiration to the world of rock music and was fittingly presented to John’s sister Debbie and mother Joan. The evening was a star studded affair attended by Jimmy Page, Pete Townshend, Ron Wood , Brian May , Joe Perry , Jeff Beck, Paul Rodgers, Iggy Pop, Slash, Tony Iommi , Ginger Baker, Chrissie Hynde , Carl Palmer of ELP and members of Iron Maiden, Anthrax, Anvil, Marillion, ZZ Top, Uriah Heep and Mott the Hoople.

The full list of winners lined up as follows:

* Best New Band: Chickenfoot
* Album of the Year: “Black Ice” AC/DC
* Band of the Year: Iron Maiden
* Best Reissue: “Reissues” Black Sabbath
* DVD/Film of the Year: “Anvil! The Story of Anvil” Anvil
* Event of the Year: Download Festival
* Outstanding Contribution: Ronnie Wood
* Tommy Vance Inspiration Award: John Bonham
* Innovator: Ginger Baker
* VIP Award: Doc McGhee
* Metal Guru: Biff Byford
* Spirit of the Prog: Dream Theater
* Marshall 11 Award: Billy Gibbons
* Childline Rocks Award: Steve Harley
* Classic Songwriter: Paul Rodgers
* Classic Album: “Rocks” Aerosmith
* Breakthrough: Joe Bonamassa
* Comeback of the Year: Mott the Hoople
* Living Legend: Iggy Pop