The city of Beckley will hold a dedication ceremony to unveil the new plaza and statue.
Beckley, West Virginia, will honour legendary singer and songwriter Bill Withers with two new awards. The acclaimed musician, who was born in nearby Slab Fork, will have a new statue and plaza dedicated to him.
According to WV News, the city will also hold a dedication ceremony to unveil the statue and plaza on March 28. A 7-foot-tall statue of the singer will be displayed inside Bill Wither Plaza, which is located in Beckley’s downtown area.
The ceremony will also feature guest speakers and performances, including a rendition of Withers’ hit song “Lean On Me” performed by students and staff from a nearby middle school.
The plaza will feature interpretive signs, musical playground instruments, and public art installations to commemorate Withers’ contributions to the arts and music. His wife, Marcia Withers, is also expected to attend the statue’s dedication.
The Bill Withers Statue committee completed the installment. Members hope that the statue and accompanying plaza will attract tourists as they commemorate one of the area’s legendary figures.
Although Withers was born in Slab Fork, his mother raised him in the nearby city of Beckley. After graduating from Stratton High School, he served in the Navy. After nearly a decade in the military, Withers relocated to Los Angeles to pursue his musical ambitions.
He went on to release classics like “Ain’t No Sunshine,” “Lovely Day,” and “Just The Two Of Us” with Grover Washington Jr. The multi-Grammy winner’s contributions earned him induction into the Songwriters Hall of Fame and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
Wither achieved success outside of Beckley, but he remained connected to the city that raised him. Prior to his death in 2020, he returned frequently for high school reunions. He also purchased another home just outside the town.
Withers was posthumously honoured with the Hometown Legend award at a county Gala in 2024. At the event, a family friend recited what Withers once said about the potential of young people from small towns.
“The challenge is to get young people who grow up in places like West Virginia to take the limits off of themselves, and realise there’s no magic in the world that somebody else has that they don’t,” said Michael Lipton, as reported by The Real WV. “They’re just people – and man, that’s a lot.”
The city has also held a Bill Withers Memorial Festival since 2021. The festival, which celebrates his life and music, will continue in June, with the plaza serving as its permanent location. The musical festival will also feature live performances by local artists who are inspired by Withers’ timeless artistry.
