Tom Waits was awarded an official key to the city of El Paso, Texas yesterday (June 25).
The legendary singer was not expecting the honour when a uniformed officer walked onstage at El Paso's Plaza Theatre, where he was performing.
"I paid all those tickets," Waits quipped when he saw the officer, adding: "She was dead when I got there."
El Paso councilwoman Susie Boyd then came onto the stage and handed Waits a plaque, which held a key to the city.
Waits, visibly moved, said,: "This is a first for me, a real first."
Waits will continue his Gloom And Doom Tour playing shows throughout the midwest before heading to Europe for a string of summer dates.
--By our Los Angeles staff.
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