Former SKID ROW and SAIGON KICK drummer PHIL VARONE, who later achieved fame as an adult movie performer and director, will receive the IES Rock Honors "Rock Hard" award at the Indie Entertainment Summit on August 4th (12 noon to 7 PM) at The Federal Bar (5303 Lankershim Bl., N. Hollywood) for his work with Skid Row and Saigon Kick, and now as performer and director with Vivid Entertainment. The IES takes place from August 1st - 5th and for information on artists and schedules visit this location.

Other IES Rock Honors award winners this year are GUNS N' ROSES, BLACK SABBATH, JANE'S ADDICTION, THE ROLLING STONES, SUBLIME, AC/DC, RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE, JIMI HENDRIX, MEGADETH, ALICE IN CHAINS and PINK FLOYD.

"Congratulations to Phil! He is a hard working guy who loves and is extremely passionate about his work. There is no question that he will be as successful in the adult world as he's been in rock 'n roll," said Steven Hirsch, founder and co-CEO of Vivid Entertainment, which distributed Varone's first adult movie, Phil Varone's Secret Sex Stash and the current best seller, Swinging American Style, Texas F**k 'Em under the Vivid Celeb imprint.

IES Co-Executive Director Jay Warsinske noted, "Phil personifies the freedom of a rocker's life and his crossover into porn is a natural step for him. We applaud his move and believe that he is very deserving of the Rock Hard Award – in more ways than one."

"Cultural Ambassador to the Sunset Strip", WILLIE BASE (BUDDY MILES, BLACK SHEEP) will present the award to Varone who began playing in various local bands while still in high school in Fort Lauderdale. In 1988, he helped form Saigon Kick, which signed a recording contract with Atlantic Records and earned a Gold Record for the album, The Lizard, as well as a Billboard top 10 single for the song, 'Love is On the Way'. After the band dissolved, Varone joined multi-platinum recording artists Skid Row and in 2003, Varone played drums for VINCE NEIL of MÖTLEY CRÜE on his solo tour. Varone was reported to have had sex with more, than 3,000 women during his rock career.