Beckley – Bill Withers was and is a central figure in the worldwide music scene as the singer of songs like Lean On Me, Ain’t No Sunshine When She’s Gone, Lovely Day, and Just The Two Of Us.
For as big and well known as the Beckley, West Virginia native is there are no monuments to him in the state. One artist is working to rectify that glaring void by raising the funds to finish his sculpt of the seminal musical figure.
From the website of the Beckley Area Foundation:
The Bill Withers sculpture was created by Pastor Frederick Hightower and will be the focal point of downtown Beckley, on the soon to be named, “Bill Withers Plaza” and will celebrate Bill’s inspiration to our national community for years to come.
The Foundation, along with other groups including the Bill Withers Memorial Foundation, is working to promote their need for funding to complete this project. You can go to their website to see more about the full scope of the project and how you can support the effort to turn this long overdue idea into a reality.
“The City of Beckley, in partnership with the Bill Withers Memorial Foundation, the Withers Family, the Beckley-Raleigh County Chamber of Commerce and Beckley Area Foundation (BAF) proudly announce a long overdue recognition and historical landmark to celebrate West Virginia’s biggest star, Bill Withers. A sculpture to commemorate this rock and roll hall of famer will be the focal point of downtown Beckley, on the soon to be named, “Bill Withers Plaza” and will celebrate Bill’s inspiration to our national community for years to come. Sculptor, Pastor Frederick Hightower, finished the clay model which will now be cast in bronze to complete the sculpture and ensure its longevity.
Donations to this fund will be used to pay for the sculpture. The statue is to be enlarged to 9 feet. The total cost will be done in three installments. Each installment costs $71,240 to complete. The remaining money will be used for installation, etc.” – Beckley Area Foundation Website
