It’s not every day a governor gets to honor a rock legend.

Gov. Ned Lamont awarded legendary Rolling Stones guitarist Keith Richards with the first-ever Governor’s Award of Excellence.

"I'm incredibly happy about everything, especially things like this because we don't get 'em every day. Apart from that I'd like to thank everybody,” said Richards.

The Connecticut Governor’s Award of Excellence is a prestigious new honor celebrating residents who epitomize the state’s core values: creativity, resourcefulness, passion, dynamism and generosity.

In a packed Westport Library, Gov. Lamont credited the four-time Grammy winner for his achievements within the arts, "I've been inspired by the Rolling Stones for 50 years I hope you have as well.”

Richards, a Weston resident, rolled into Connecticut in 1985 and has called it home since. In those 40 years, he has rocked the state as a community philanthropist.

"Support people in organizations like SPHERE and The Prospector Theater in Ridgefield, which provides competitive and inclusive employment opportunities for people with disabilities,” said The Westport Library’s Executive Director, William Harmer.

Additionally, Richards received a governor’s proclamation offering the “Key to the State,” and his very own Westport Library card.