Social Distortion singer/guitarist Mike Ness was honored Wednesday (April 3) with the key to the city by his hometown of Fullerton, Calif.
Prior to the ceremony, which was held at the Downtown Fullerton Plaza at the Fullerton Museum Center on Ness' 62nd birthday, the punk rock icon took to Instagram to celebrate the event.
"If someone would've told me 40 years ago that I'd be getting the key to the city one day I would've thought you were crazy! But life happens and not always how we imagine it to," he wrote. "This is truly humbling and I have nothing but fond memories growing up there. A big thank you to the City of Fullerton for the incredible honor."
Fullerton Mayor Nick Dunlap shared his excitement about the honor prior to the event. "Mike Ness' contributions to music and our community are truly immeasurable," he said in a statement. "His songs, filled with stories of resilience and struggle, speak to the heart of what it means to be from Fullerton. It is with great pride that we celebrate his legacy with the Key to the City. This event is a testament to the power of music in bringing people together and the indelible mark Mike has left on our city and the world. Like so many of us, I grew up listening to Social Distortion, and the fact they are from our hometown made the connection deeper."
Ness started Social Distortion, one of the longest-running and most acclaimed Orange County punk bands, in 1978. The band emerged from the punk scene and eventually signed with Epic Records and scored several alternative radio hits, such as "Ball and Chain," "Story of My Life" and their cover of Johnny Cash's "Ring of Fire." Social Distortion's 1990 self-titled album was certified gold with sales of 500,000 copies.
Last year, Ness announced he was diagnosed with stage one tonsil cancer but expected to make a full recovery following surgery. The diagnosis came before the band entered the studio to record its eighth album. "I was feeling well enough to continue with recording in the studio up until the very day before surgery," Ness told SPIN. "The band and I were so inspired and excited to lay down these tracks, which by the way sound f---ing AWESOME!"
