The second annual Ultimate Classic Rock Awards are underway, and we start by showcasing nominees for the 2012 Tour of the Year. It's been a stellar year on the concert stage, with a number of top rockers packing up the buses, planes and vans and bringing their dynamic shows to audiences around the world.

There were a number of great package tours. Kiss and Motley Crue united for a hard rock fan's dream double-bill that they simply dubbed 'The Tour.' Aerosmith also picked a powerful band to team up with as Cheap Trick joined them on the 'Global Warming' tour. With the film 'Rock of Ages' hitting theaters, Def Leppard teamed up with Poison and Lita Ford to bring back the feel of late '80s Hollywood hard rock while promoting the movie. And there was also the Midwestern rock triple bill of Ted Nugent, REO Speedwagon and Styx to keep fans rocking over the summer months.

Guns N' Roses had one of the more headline-making tours of the year, to say the least. Meanwhile, the band's former guitar great Slash got things rolling live with his new band fronted by Myles Kennedy.

Rush returned to the road with their new album 'Clockwork Angels' to support and a real-live string section in tow. Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band delivered their usual epic performances, this year bolstered by a number of guest appearances.

Two other major tours found classic rock artists revisiting classic albums as a whole. Roger Waters was the year's top earner at the midpoint for his world tour based around 'The Wall' album. Meanwhile, late in the year, the Who got the ball rolling on the 'Quadrophenia + More' trek.

That's a lot of great shows to take in -- and we didn't even mention big treks by Journey, Van Halen and the Rolling Stones' December mini-tour --  and here's your chance to tell us which touring act had the best year on the concert stage. You can vote for the 2012 Tour of the Year between now and Jan. 15 at 11:59PM. The winner in this category, as well as all of our other Ultimate Classic Rock Awards categories, will be revealed on Jan. 16, 2013.

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