Harry Weber Sculpture

U. City won't stop installation of Chuck Berry statue

University City

The controversy over a statue for rock 'n' roll legend Chuck Berry ended at a City Council meeting Monday night with reference to a quiet Beatles' ballad: "Let It Be."

Near the end of long speeches on both sides by residents and city officials, Councilman Arthur Sharpe Jr. brought up the Beatles' famous song. The council did not vote on the statue, and Mayor Shelley Welsch said: "I believe this council should move off this issue."

Loop entrepreneur Joe Edwards and KMOX radio host Charles Brennan have led a fundraising drive for the 8-foot bronze statue, which will be part of a larger installation at Ackert Plaza along Delmar Boulevard across from Edwards' Blueberry Hill restaurant and bar.

The sculpture by artist Harry Weber is expected to be installed Thursday or Friday, Edwards said. A formal dedication for the public will be on July 29, at the same time Great Rivers Greenway officially opens the Centennial bicycle and walking trail. The statue will be along the trail.

Edwards said he expected the statue would be a great tourism draw for University City and the region. "It could have been placed downtown or in front of the Pageant in the St. Louis part of the Loop, but this is where it belongs." Edwards pointed out that the site is across the street from Berry's star in the St. Louis Walk of Fame and from Blueberry Hill, where he has performed more than 160 concerts.

Welsch said: "The installation of the statue of Chuck Berry in the Loop is appropriate, will be positive for our community and will be one more reason why people who love and respect rock 'n' roll will choose to come to University City."

Controversy over the statute began a few months ago when former councilwoman and lifelong resident Elsie Glickert raised objections to placing it on city-owned land. She and others recently collected the signatures of more than 100 residents on petitions.

Glickert said that the City Council should have been able to vote, and she was upset that the Ackert Arch, a tribute to a former mayor, had been torn down. Glickert also criticized Berry's personal life and time he had served in jail.

On Monday night, her son, Councilman Michael Glickert and Councilman Lynn Ricci, asked that a discussion be placed on the agenda on the appropriateness of having the statue on city property and whether proper approvals had been followed. Critics said the city should not be stuck with the bill for maintenance of the statue which shows Berry doing his famous duck walk and playing his guitar.

But fans said a statue in honor of Berry, 84, was overdue. They said he had created a music and cultural revolution around the world with songs such as "Johnny B. Goode" and "Maybellene."

"He is the father of rock 'n' roll, and his music is known all over the world," said resident Richard Dockett.