It has taken Neil Diamond an awfully long time to become hip. But last night The Sex Pistols, Led Zeppelin and Motörhead all hailed the resurgent crooner at the Mojo magazine Roll of Honour awards.

Diamond, 67, was the star attraction at a unique gathering of rock’s legends and cult heroes, held appropriately enough, at a disused brewery in East London.

Newcomers Duffy and The Last Shadow Puppets, the side-project of Arctic Monkeys frontman Alex Turner, were both recognised in votes from the publication’s readers.

However it was Diamond, the “Jewish Elvis”, who had winners including Genesis, the hell-raising Lemmmy from Motorhead and John Lydon, queuing up for an audience.

Diamond’s latest album Home Before Dark, a collection of brooding ballads, has topped the charts on both sides of the Atlantic.

Produced by Rick Rubin, who revived Johnny Cash’s career, Diamond’s recent records have helped him shake off a “cheesy” image and encouraged a new generation of fans to rediscover classic hits such as Sweet Caroline.

Yorkshire crooner Richard Hawley presented the Classic Songwriter award to Diamond, who currently has three albums in the top eleven places in the UK chart.

Tribal feuds were set aside as The Sex Pistols, on their third lucrative reformation, shared a stage with Genesis, titans of the progressive rock scene which the punk movement sought to destroy in the late Seventies.

Jimmy Page, accepting the best live act award for Led Zeppelin’s comeback concert, joined those acknowledging the important cultural contribution of Motörhead, the ear-shredding heavy metal trio.

Phil Alexander, Mojo Editor, said: “They continue to astound us with the sheer volume of their performances. They’ve influenced everyone from Metallica to Primal Scream. There’s simply no better way to go deaf than by listening to Motörhead.”

Mr Alexander sought to persuade The Specials, the chart-topping ska band who have not shared a stage in their originial incarnation since 1981, to collect the Hall of Fame award. Singer Terry Hall agreed to accept the award.

Mr Alexander said: “Not only was their music terrific but they stood for something in terms of what they had to say. In four short years they united subcultures and made a lasting impact.”

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