Las Vegas Weekly

August 20, 2010 · 1:39 PM

Vegas Rocks! Magazine Awards honors legendary rockers

By Robin Leach

Dee Snider and Lita Ford sing during I Wanna Rock! at the Las Vegas Hilton on March 27, 2010.

Photo: Tom Donoghue/www.donoghuephotography.com

It will be the “I Wanna Rock” all-star jam when Vegas Rocks! Magazine publisher Sally Steele hands out trophies Sunday night for her first Rock Awards at the Las Vegas Hilton and commemorates the sixth anniversary of her magazine.

Dee Snider of Twisted Sister fame is expected to rock the one-time Elvis Presley showroom with a performance to end the show, and advance word is that guitar goddess Lita Ford will join in the onstage party with rap royal Flavor Flav.

“We’ve been fighting for six years to keep rock and roll in the mainstream media,” Sally said. “I wanted to bring Las Vegas its own true rock awards. We’re not here to keep up with the flavor of the month. We’re here to celebrate rock and roll whether the artist had a hit 10 years ago or are on the charts today. It doesn’t matter. They have a place in Vegas Rocks! and at this event.”

The ceremony will be preceded by a Grand Rock and Roll Royal Red Carpet with appearances from stars and rock music legends including Lemmy Kilmister of Motorhead, James Kottak of The Scorpions, Glenn Hughes of Deep Purple, Paul Shortino of Quiet Riot, Jake E. Lee from Ozzy Osborne’s band, Jimmy Crespo of Aerosmith, Chris Frazier of Whitesnake, Vinnie Appice of Black Sabbath, Keri Kelli from Alice Cooper and our pals Zowie Bowie, rock and roll celebrity chef Kerry Simon and tattoo titan Mario Barth.

Dee is set to receive the Savior Award, Lemmy will be presented with the Lifetime Legend Award, Glenn gets the Inspirational Icon Award, and Flavor Flav will be handed the Best Rock Clock in the Universe Award.

Sally summed up: “Really it’s about recognition for the artists I love. They don’t always get it, so I’m here to fight for it. I was taking photos of Black Sabbath and Deep Purple when I was 13. I’ve dedicated my life to being a fan, and I started the magazine to keep the music I care about alive and loud.”

Robin Leach has been a journalist for more than 50 years and has spent the past decade giving readers the inside scoop on Las Vegas, the world’s premier platinum playground.

Follow Robin Leach on Twitter at Twitter.com/Robin_Leach.

Follow Vegas DeLuxe on Twitter at Twitter.com/vegasdeluxe.

Follow VDLX Editor Don Chareunsy on Twitter at Twitter.com/VDLXEditorDon.

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