PALATINE, Ill. (AP) – Ted Nugent’s fans gathered outside a pub in this suburb of Chicago to recognize someone who left a lasting mark on the local rock scene – his mother.

Marion “Ma” Nugent was honored Wednesday at an unveiling ceremony of a 7,800-pound red granite rock with her image and a plaque. The rock sits out front of Durty Nellie’s in Palatine’s downtown.

About 250 people came to hear the “Motor City Madman” talk about his mother.

“I’m 59 years old and I’m having the time of my life because my mom and dad made me the best I can be,” Nugent said. “This public tribute is merely a physical manifestation of what I celebrate every day of my life. My mom is with me every day of my life.”

“Ma” Nugent, who lived in Palatine for more than 20 years, died in 1989. She regularly visited her son on tour during the 1970s, and became well-known locally as a columnist for Illinois Entertainer magazine. She wrote “Ma” Nugent’s Mail for eight years, responding to readers’ letters about rock ‘n’ roll and social issues.

“She was a regular fixture in a lot of the rock clubs, mostly backstage, hanging out with the bands in a very motherly fashion, in an advise-and-counsel sort of way,” said Ron Ramelli, former ad director for the magazine.

Ted Nugent said his mother encouraged musicians to avoid drugs and alcohol like he did.

“A lot of people who were facing drug pressure, they fell for the lie of peer pressure and fashion,” he said. “My mom was able to help them realize it was jive.”

Nugent told his fans to “hug your moms every day.”

The rocker spent much of his youth in Michigan, but he lived in the Chicago area for two years as a teenager and graduated from St. Viator High School in Arlington Heights.