(HARTFORD, CT) – Governor Ned Lamont today announced that legendary guitarist, longtime Connecticut resident, founding member of the world-renowned rock band the Rolling Stones, and community philanthropist Keith Richards will be the first recipient of the Connecticut Governor’s Award of Excellence – a prestigious new honor celebrating Connecticut residents who epitomize the state’s core values of creativity, resourcefulness, passion, dynamism, and generosity.
Established in 2025, the Governor’s Award of Excellence celebrates individuals whose contributions enrich Connecticut’s cultural and civic life. The award consists of a custom-designed medallion — crafted by Connecticut State Trooper Danny Carvalho and manufactured by the Connecticut Center for Advanced Technology (CCAT) — along with a ribbon designed and sewn by Enfield-based fashion designer Justin Haynes. In addition to the award, Governor Lamont will present Richards with a proclamation offering him the “Key to the State.”
The honor will be presented to Richards during a ceremony that will be held at The Westport Library on Wednesday, March 5, 2025, at 4:00 p.m. Due to the space limitations of the intimate venue and anticipated interest, this event is open to invited guests and media only. The library will be closed from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. to accommodate the ceremony.
“Connecticut has long been home to some of the world’s most innovative minds, boldest artists, and most generous hearts,” said Governor Lamont.
“This award was created to honor those whose creativity, resourcefulness, and passion have made a lasting impact on our state and beyond," said Governor Lamont. "Keith Richards is the epitome of these values — not only as one of the most influential musicians of all time but as a dedicated supporter of the arts, education, and community causes right here in Connecticut.”
A Connecticut resident since 1985, Richards is being honored for his deep commitment to supporting the local community. 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. Richards has also been an advocate for arts, education, and accessibility initiatives throughout the state, further exemplifying his dedication to making a lasting impact.
“When you are growing up there are two institutional places that affect you most powerfully: the church, which belongs to God, and the public library, which belongs to you,” Richards said. “The public library is the great equalizer.”
“The Westport Library is beyond thrilled to host this momentous occasion honoring Keith Richards, a true cultural icon whose influence transcends generations,” Bill Harmer, executive director of The Westport Library, said. “As a library that celebrates creativity, storytelling, and the transformative power of the arts, we couldn’t imagine a more fitting place for this historic event. Keith’s legacy is woven into the fabric of music history, and we are honored to provide the stage where Connecticut will recognize his immeasurable contributions. This is not just a celebration of an artist, but of a life lived boldly, authentically, and with an undeniable passion for inspiring others.”
Richards is regarded as one of the greatest guitarists in the history of music. His career with the Rolling Stones dates back over seven decades, to the early 1960s, and his songwriting partnership with Stones front man Mick Jagger is heralded as one of the most successful and prolific in rock history. Among his signature songs are “Jumpin’ Jack Flash,” “Satisfaction,” “Ruby Tuesday,” “Start Me Up,” “Happy,” “Miss You,” “Brown Sugar,” “Gimme Shelter,” “Wild Horses,” “It’s Only Rock n’ Roll (But I Like it),” and “As Tears Go By,” to name a few.
"What an honor it is to be part of creating the inaugural Connecticut Governor’s Award of Excellence, incorporating Additive Manufacturing—an exciting and transformative technology—into its design, said CCAT's Additive Technician Oscar Montanez. "This award is 3D printed using photopolymer resin with SLA technology, enabling intricate details and exceptional precision, showcasing the capabilities of modern manufacturing."
“Just as Keith has pushed the boundaries of music, we’re pushing the boundaries of manufacturing—merging art and innovation to create something truly special," said Oscar Montanez.
Richards has also scored great success as a solo artist, with albums including “Talk Is Cheap,” “Live at the Hollywood Palladium,” “Main Offender,” and “Cross-eyed Heart,” and hits such as “Take It So Hard,” “You Don’t Move Me,” “Wicked as It Seems,” and “Eileen.”
Onscreen, Richards played a solider in the 1969 film “Man on Horseback,” himself on “The Simpsons” in 2002, and appeared in two “Pirates of the Caribbean” films as Captain Teague, the father of main character Jack Sparrow, who was notably loosely based off Richards. In 2015, he released his Netflix documentary, “Keith Richards: Under The Influence,” which was partially filmed in Connecticut.
Richards has also penned two books. He released his memoir “Life” to critical acclaim in 2010, and later released a children’s book, “Gus & Me: The Story of My Granddad and My First Guitar,” in 2014.
Richards was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1989, the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 1993, and the UK Music Hall of Fame in 2004, among his many honors.
--
We offer this 3D printers on loan to manufacturers as part of our Additive QuickStart Program. Learn more here.
