Rolling Stones' Keith Richards Gets Unexpected Honor Audio Ink Radio

Rolling Stones’ Keith Richards Gets Unexpected Honor

2025-03-09

Rolling Stones guitarist Keith Richards has received a unique honor, and he’s the first to get an honor of this kind. – Author: Cat Badra, Photo via RCPMK

Rolling Stones guitarist Keith Richards is known for being one of the best six-stringers in rock ‘n’ roll with plenty of stories to tell. He helped shape the rock genre with the Stones, and they remain one of the most influential hard rock bands in the history of music. But, Richards is apparently also a do-gooder.

The famed guitarist is receiving the first-ever type of special medal, awarded in Connecticut.

Keith Richards Gets Honored in Connecticut

Richards was born in the U.K., and the Stones are known as a U.K. band. But, some may not know that Richards has actually resided in Connecticut for the past four decades, living in the small town of Weston. The city is about an hour and a half away from New York City, so even though it’s a small town it’s close to the biggest city in America.

Now, Richards is being honored as the first Governor’s Award of Excellence, which is a brand new award established this year. Richards received the away at an intimate ceremony in Westport at a local library. Side note: Can you imagine going to your local library and just happening to run into Keith Richards there?

Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont created this award to honor and celebrate Connecticut residents who show “creativity, resourcefulness, passion, dynamism and generosity.”

So, what makes Richards the prefect fit for this award? Per a press release send out from Lamont, Keith has dedicated much of his time giving back to Connecticut and making it a great place.

“As one of the most influential musicians of all time and literally a living legend, he’s a dedicated and active supporter of the arts, education, and community causes across Connecticut,” Lamond stated. “Through his generosity and dedication to organizations like SPHERE, which enhances the lives of adults with disabilities, and The Prospector Theater, which provides meaningful employment through the magic of film, Richards has used his influence to uplift and empower others.”

Lamond added that the famed guitarist “has also been an advocate for arts, education, and accessibility initiatives throughout the state, further exemplifying his dedication to making a lasting impact.”

Keith Richards Has Loads of Honors

The release goes on to explain that Richards, of course, is one of the best guitarist of all time.

“His career with the Rolling Stones dates back over seven decades, to the early 1960s, and his songwriting partnership with Stones frontman Mick Jagger is heralded as one of the most successful and prolific in rock history,” it adds, highlighting the band’s key hits, such as “Jumpin’ Jack Flash,” “Satisfaction,” “Ruby Tuesday,” Gimme Shelter,” “Wild Horses” and more.

Richards has won plenty of awards over the years, and he was officially inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1989. He was also inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 1993 and the U.K. Music Hall of Fame in 2004. He has also written two books: his memoir “Life” in 2010 and a children’s book, “Gus & Me: The Story of My Granddad and My First Guitar,” in 2014.

Congratulations to Richards for this major honor. He certainly deserves it.

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Cat Badra

Meet the expert - Cat Badra is a music writer for Audio Ink Radio and a range of other music, sports and lifestyle publications. She's a graduate of Michigan State University with a master's degree in theater and speech. Contact her at cat@audioinkradio.com.

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