Dream Theater paid tribute to Radiohead and The Mars Volta during their acceptance speech at the Classic Rock Awards in London last night (November 2).

Mike Portnoy from the Long Island group was presented with Spirit Of Prog Award at the Park Hotel ceremony by Yes keyboardist Rick Wakeman.

The drummer then launched into a speech about the changing attitudes towards prog music, saying "We spent our first 15 years enduring tough reviews and we've been fortunate to see things turn round."

He then cited Radiohead, The Mars Volta and Mastodon as bands who have embraced the prog spirit, before adding:

"In the last 10 years this kind of music, the spirit of prog, has been more embraced than criticised - which is amazing."

(by Scott Colothan)