YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (WKBN) — Ahead of the Alice Cooper concert at the Covelli Centre in Youngstown Saturday, Mahoning County commissioners will designate the day as Alice Cooper Day with an event.

Commissioners Mahoning County Commissioners Anthony Traficanti and Dave Ditzler surprised the “Godfather of Shock Rock” with the proclamation ahead of his sold-out show at the Covelli Center early Saturday night.

The proclamation is in honor of Cooper’s musical history “rocking the Youngstown area” since the start of his career more than 50 years ago.

Y-103 personalities presented Cooper with a trashcan that was custom-painted by artist Keith Sturgeon, whose work is collected by celebrities in the auto customizing world, including Jay Leno.

Y-103 afternoon host Fast Freddie interviewed Cooper in the past and explained his popularity in “gritty industrial towns” like Youngstown is that the Midwest is the hard rock capital.

“All around the mid-section of America, the audience wants hard rock,” Cooper said. “They don’t put up with, ‘Gosh, I hope you like us.’ They want to be shaken.”

First News Anchor Lindsey Watson had the chance to quickly talk with the rocker. He told her it’s always an honor to come to Youngstown, and he’ll definitely keep coming back for more.