NEW YORK, Dec. 21 (UPI) -- U.S. comedian Stephen Colbert won the "Rock & Awe" guitar competition against rocker Chris Funk with a little assistance from guitarist Peter Frampton.
The highly anticipated competition, whose title was bestowed upon it by the Comedy Central star, took place Wednesday and found Colbert edging The Decemberists star by having Frampton act as his stand-in, Editor & Publisher reported.
The musical grudge match had sprung from a challenge issued by Colbert claiming the band had copied a "green screen" video concept he once used for one of its music videos.
After "60 Minutes" journalist Morley Safer introduced the two original competitors, the "Colbert Report" comedian gave up the floor to Frampton, claiming that he had hurt his hand on his five-necked guitar.
Editor & Publisher said that since the event's judges were deadlocked regarding the two sides of the guitar battle, the ultimate decision came down to the audience members. That was when Colbert's star shone as the audience overwhelming gave him the victory.
