Metallica
The nominations for the 2009 Classic Rock Roll Of Honour were exclusively unveiled today by legends of rock parody Spinal Tap.
The band took time out of rehearsals for their show at Wembley Arena on 30 June to announce the shortlists for the 6 public voted categories at a media launch in Hard Rock Cafe’s backstage Hard Rock Calling VIP garden in Hyde Park, London. The winners will be announced at the gala ceremony, which takes place Monday 2 November at the Park Lane Hotel.
In support of a tremendous return to the world stage, AC/DC are nominated for three awards – Album Of The Year, for Black Ice, which made history debuting at #1 on album charts in 29 countries upon its release in October 2008, Band Of The Year, and Event Of The Year, which puts them in direct competition with the Nominations Launch hosts Spinal Tap.
Seemingly never off the road, the inimitable force of Iron Maiden gives them an equal amount of nominations, up against AC/DC for Band Of The Year (and also Metallica, Faith No More and Kings Of Leon), and taking on KISS, The Rolling Stones, Neil Young, Anvil and the Woodstock festival for DVD / Film Of The Year (for Flight 666). Bruce Dickinson and Co. also compete for Event Of The Year for picking up a BRIT Award in February.
Newcomers to the classic rock scene The Parlor Mob do well with two nominations, the first for Best New Band, up against Chickenfoot, Diagonal, fellow label mates Steadlür, Crippled Black Phoenix and New Device, and for the prestigious Album Of The Year category. As always, competition is fierce in this category, with opposition from not only AC/DC and Metallica, but also Guns ‘N’ Roses, Heaven and Hell, Dream Theater, Black Stone Cherry, Joe Bonamassa, The Answer and The Raconteurs.
Metallica compete for Album Of The Year (for Death Magnetic) and Band Of The Year whereas Anvil, after an emotional return to rock, are this year nominated for DVD/Film of the Year and Event Of The Year for their ‘resurrection’.
Reissue Of The Year sees ZZ Top, Def Leppard and Motorhead lock horns with The Who, Pearl Jam, Black Sabbath, The Kinks, Deep Purple and The Move.
Public voting on all of these categories kicks off tonight online and in Classic Rock Magazine from 22 July. Other awards to be presented on the night include The Classic Rock Living Legend Award, Classic Songwriter, Showman Award, Tommy Vance Inspiration Award, Outstanding Contribution, Classic Album, Metal Guru, and VIP Award.
“Now in their fifth year, our Awards have established themselves as the most prestigious event on the classic rock calendar. With Classic Rock magazine enjoying its highest ever circulation, and with rock giants such as AC/DC, Metallica and Iron Maiden heading our list of nominations, the music that we embrace in the pages of our magazine is in fine fettle. Everyone tells you the record industry is in dire straits but to be honest there’s never been a better time for classic rock music.”, Geoff Barton, Editor-At-Large, Classic Rock