SLADE MONUMENT - WOLVERHAMPTON

Aim

We are raising money to fund the installation of a permanent tribute to Black Country legends SLADE, in Wolverhampton city centre.

Executive Summary
Wolverhampton Music Heritage CIC is commissioning renowned Black Country sculptor Luke Perry to create a striking, modern public monument celebrating Wolverhampton’s most iconic cultural export: the legendary glam rock band, Slade. To be permanently installed in a prominent, high-footfall Wolverhampton city centre location, this £31,000 landmark will celebrate the band's massive global impact while actively driving music tourism, civic pride, and economic vitality in the heart of the city.

Why Slade? Why Wolverhampton?
In the 1970s, Slade dominated the global charts, scoring six UK number-one singles and inspiring generations of rock musicians worldwide. They remain entirely synonymous with the raw, working-class, industrial grit of Wolverhampton. As our city undergoes major cultural regeneration there is no better time to anchor this musical heritage in their Spiritual Home. This monument is not just a tribute to four local lads who changed rock history; it is a permanent reminder that global success can start right here.

The Vision and the Artist
To bring this vision to life, Wolverhampton Music Heritage CIC has partnered with Luke Perry, a celebrated local artist with an unmatched track record of translating Black Country identity into breath-taking public art. Known for his monumental steel fabrications—including Wolverhampton's Windrush Monument, the Honved tribute at Molineux, and the Saragarhi monument in Wednesfield—Luke’s industrial aesthetic is uniquely suited to capture the energy, glamour, and uncompromising foundations of Slade.

Community and Economic Impact
This monument will be designed through a collaborative process, engaging music fans and community groups to share stories and shape the final artwork. Once installed in the city centre, it will serve as:

• A Tourism Magnet: Creating a central focal point for the thousands of dedicated music fans who visit the city annually for events like the Slade Fans Convention.
• A Civic Catalyst: Enhancing the public realm and supporting city centre retail and hospitality footfall by creating a highly photographable landmark.
• An Inspiring Legacy: Fostering community cohesion and inspiring the next generation of creative talent in the Black Country.

Funding Strategy
We are raising a total of £31,000 to cover all material, fabrication, community engagement, legal and installation costs. Wolverhampton Music Heritage CIC is assembling a mosaic of funding, local municipal support, regional business sponsorships, and a global fan-led crowdfunding campaign. By investing in this project, you are helping to build a lasting monument to Wolverhampton's greatest rock legacy.

Phase 1 of the project will be to raise the funds to cover the design, commissioning and deposits. Phase 2 will be to raise the funds to carry out the manufacture of the artwork, and Phase 3 will be to fund the installation of the project.

Funding method

Keep what you raise – this project will receive all pledges made by 14th December 2026 at 10:11am