Guitar great Jeff Beck to receive Living Legend award

Jeff Beck--or as we like to call him, "the world's greatest living guitarist"--has been chosen to receive the Living Legend award at this year's Classic Rock Roll of Honour.

The event--which is sponsored by Classic Rock magazine and takes place November 9 at the Roundhouse in London, England--will be hosted by the equally famous (though not so wickedly talented) Gene Simmons.

Beck--who plays a sold out show in Vancouver next month--had this to say about the award, which has been won in the past by Jimmy Page, Alice Cooper, Iggy Pop, Ozzy Osbourne, and Lemmy Kilmister:

"The Classic Rock Roll of Honour has always been about great music that inspires and excites others. To be named as a 'Living Legend' amongst so many fantastic musicians is an honor.

"When I was a six-year-old boy, I heard Les Paul's 'How High the Moon' over the radio and from that moment on I knew that I wanted to play the guitar and make music. That moment has led me to where I am today.

"Rock music continues to evolve and it's great how established acts inspire the upcoming bands and vice versa, producing more and more great music. I am proud to be a small part of this."

Simmons--whose never been known to hold his reptilian tongue when he's got a gig to promote--chimed in on the event. "On that momentous occasion, the planets will align, living legends will gather to honour their own, and London will become the center of the rock and roll universe."

Well said, I suppose. But who else thinks Ace Frehley would have been a better choice for host?

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