U2 Win Top Touring Honor at 2011 Billboard Music Awards

U2 received the award for Top Touring Artist of the Year at the Billboard Music Awards tonight in Las Vegas. The band was honored for its ongoing 360 Tour, which has become the highest grossing trek of all time.

After an introduction by Black Eyed Peas singer will.i.am, and a video montage that featured interviews with the band and various members of their tour crew, U2 took the stage to receive the honor.

Following a standing ovation, singer Bono spoke first, saying, "Some of the greatest music is made so quietly. You can make classic albums in your bedroom and you can play the greatest show of your life on a one-string guitar but we just don't do that."

Drummer Larry Mullen Jr. thanked the people behind the scenes of their tour, remarking, "I'd like to thank our crew. I am embarrassed to say that I don't know all of them, don't know their names. But our crew leave their homes and families to tear down and put up our spaceship, our claw, and we want to thank them for that."

The Edge closed out the band's acceptance speech by thanking U2's fans. "My favorite part of the show every night is when they turn all the s--t off and we get to feel like we're alone surrounded completely by our audience," said the Edge. "And it's just the most magical moment. They're really spectacular."

U2 just kicked off the final North American leg of their 360 tour. Click here to see the band's full itinerary.