VH1 Rocks Sin City At First Annual 'VH1 Rock Honors'

Rock royalty received the ultimate form of flattery as some of today's hottest rock acts honored legendary bands KISS, QUEEN, DEF LEPPARD and JUDAS PRIEST at VH1's first annual "VH1 Rock Honors" Thursday night (May 25).

Taped at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas, "VH1 Rock Honors", which premieres Wednesday, May 31 at 9:00 p.m., saluted the ground-breaking bands of rock, the once-in-a-lifetime events and the influential people who made a lasting mark on the history of hard rock.

The night opened with rock royalty as the FOO FIGHTERS joined QUEEN's Brian May and Roger Taylor for an explosive performance of "Tie Your Mother Down". QUEEN and Paul Rodgers proved why they are the champions of rock as they performed a medley of QUEEN's hit songs "Under Pressure", "We Will Rock You" and "We Are The Champions".

GODSMACK delivered the ultimate rock smack-down with their rendition of JUDAS PRIEST's "Hell Bent For Leather", "Metal Gods", "The Hellion", "Electric Eye" and "Victim Of Changes". As JUDAS PRIEST took the stage, the crowd chanted their name and head-banged their way through the outlaw classic "Breaking The Law". They went wild when front man Rob Halford, on a motorcycle, showed the crowd why "You've Got Another Thing Coming".

THE ALL-AMERICAN REJECTS fired up the stage with their rendition of the DEF LEPPARD hit "Photograph". DEF LEPPARD had the crowd roaring with "Rock of Ages" and "Rocket".

The final performance of the night featured an all-star band tribute to KISS with surprise guest Ace Frehley, Tommy Lee, Slash, Scott Ian, Gilby Clarke and Rob Zombie performing KISS' "God Of Thunder". KISS ended the night by taking the stage in full make-up with a no holds barred performance of their ferocious hit "Detroit Rock City" and "Love Gun".

The show also included appearances by Kiefer Sutherland, Gina Gershon, Jaime Kennedy, Jim Breuer, Natasha Henstridge, Brittany Snow and Penn Jillette.

MHD: Music High-Definition channel, MTV Networks new High Definition Television channel will air "VH1 Rock Honors" on Wednesday, May 31 at 9:00 p.m., during its first-ever simulcast. VH1 Classic will also air "VH1 Rock Honors" beginning the week of June 5.

Beginning Tuesday, May 30, VSPOT, VH1's broadband channel will offer exclusive performances from "VH1 Rock Honors" honorees and tribute bands that will not be seen during the show's television broadcast. Additional VSPOT content will include exclusive interviews with "VH1 Rock Honors" honorees, presenters and performers and "Air to the Throne" air guitar performances from the red carpet. Check it all out on VSPOT at vspot.vh1.com.

On Memorial Day weekend, The VH1 Radio Network will present a "VH1 Rock Honors Special: QUEEN, JUDAS PRIEST, DEF LEPPARD and KISS Get Honors". Hosted by VH1 Classic personality Eddie Trunk, the one-hour radio special will feature music and exclusive interviews from the bands being saluted at "VH1 Rock Honors" and from musicians the honorees have inspired to rock!

The VH1 Radio Network will present a live simulcast of "VH1 Rock Honors" on Wednesday, May 31 at 9:00 p.m.

Check out pictures from the show:

Film Magic:

Backstage & Audience
Show
Red Carpet
Rehearsals

Wire Image:

Show
Rehearsals
Arrivals
Red Carpet

Getty Images:

Show
Rehearsals
Backstage & Audience
Arrivals
After-Party
Slash & Ace
Scott Ian, Slash & Tommy Lee
Slash & Ace
Scott Ian & Tommy Lee
Slash & Gilby
Ace #1
Ace #2
Ace #3