Classic Rock Awards 2016 to Air on AXS TV

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Jimmy Page at the Classic Rock Awards 2016. (Photo: Michiko Yamamoto; used with permission)

The Classic Rock Awards 2016 will air on AXS TV on February 19, at 8 p.m. Eastern/5 p.m. Pacific. Filmed live on November 11, 2016 at Ryogoku Stadium in Tokyo, Japan, the hour-long special is a celebration of all things rock and metal—honoring up-and-coming acts and established legends alike, for their contributions throughout the year.

The evening was hosted by Megadeth frontman Dave Mustaine, and featured such highlights as [Spoiler Alert… !] Jeff Beck presented with the Icon award by Led Zeppelin guitarist Jimmy Page; Scorpions axe man Rudolf Schenker presenting Richie Sambora with the Classic Songwriter award; Def Leppard winning Album of the Year for their late 2015 self-titled release; and appearances and performances by Johnny Depp, Joe Perry, and Cheap Trick, among others.

Said Page of his pleasure in honoring Beck: “Jeff and I go back so far that even we don’t whether it was when we were 11 or 12 or 13. We both had homemade guitars when we were introduced… That’s going back some.”

The night’s winners were selected by Classic Rock Magazine, as well as by listeners of U.S. classic rock radio stations. 2016 marked the first time that the event had been held in Japan, after previous stints in London and Los Angeles.

Watch some behind-the-scenes footage from the event…