By Robin Moyer Chung

WESTPORT — Rolling Stones guitarist, philanthropist and Weston resident Keith Richards received the first “Governor’s Award of Excellence” on Wednesday at the Westport Library.

This new award recognizes Connecticut residents “who epitomize the state’s core values: creativity, resourcefulness, passion, dynamism and generosity,” according to the announcement of the honor. 

Artists, musicians and dignitaries packed the library’s Trefz forum for the invitation-only event.

And it rocked.

The event featured one of the most famous musicians in rock history, a governor with a sense of humor and a library executive director with a penchant for rock and roll. A trifecta of whom, as an attendee stated, “I usually want them to stop talking, but today I wanted to hear more.”

William Harmer, the library’s executive director, surveying the crowd, said, “How proud are we to live in Connecticut, a place where creativity is valued and nurtured?”

Richards has forged a Rock and Roll Hall of Fame legacy that spans nearly seven decades, from being a founding member of the Rolling Stones to performing as a solo artist.

He joined Gov. Ned Lamont onstage to receive his “excellence” medallion before, well, a kerfuffle delayed the ceremonial honors. While waiting for its delivery, Lamont quipped, “So what do you think of the Beatles?”

On a more serious note, Lamont told the crowd of about 200, “I’ve been inspired by the Rolling Stones for more than 50 years, I hope you have as well.

“Keith Richards is an amazing member of our community. We’re so proud that he’s here and I’m so proud to have the opportunity to give him this award of excellence.”

The medal, designed by State Police Trooper Danny Carvallo, is sewn onto a swath of fabric designed by Connecticut fashion designer, the blue-bearded Justin Haynes.

Upon the medallion’s bestowal, Richards commented, “You kind of get lost for words with something like this around your neck.”

Fashionistas in the audience nodded approvingly.

Richards’ decades of musical relevancy and battle with drugs is a testament to his rehabilitation and agility, sending a message to others ensnared in addiction. “I’ve been through more cold turkeys than there are freezers,” he said.

“This is a great building, a wonderful library, which even I didn’t know the full extent of,” Richards told the gathering.

Harmer returned the compliment, saying, “We are proud to be an institution that provides free access to knowledge, culture and creativity for all, just as Keith described. His recognition today is a celebration not only of his music but of the values we hold dear: creativity, authenticity and the belief that art and culture have the power to change lives.”

Richards, underscoring Harmer’s remarks, commented, “Without our books, without knowing things and without their special meaning … it’s very important that we keep our books unburnt.”

And the crowd went wild.

In addition to his musical legacy, Richards was cited for supporting community organizations, including SPHERE, which assists adults with disabilities, and The Prospector Theater in Ridgefield, a movie theater offering employment opportunities for people with disabilities.

Richards is the author of several books, including a memoir, “Life,” and a children’s book, “Gus & Me: The Story of My Granddad and My First Guitar.”

He 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 other honors.