Rosalie Trombley Commemorative Sculpture
The Rosalie Trombley Commemorative Sculpture pays tribute to a pioneer in radio broadcasting. The sculpture was conceived of, designed and created by artist Donna Jean Mayne, and unveiled in 2023.
Rosalie Trombley (September 18, 1939 to November 23, 2021) is one of Windsor’s most famous and influential women. Trombley was the legendary music director of famed CKLW The Big 8, a giant of the AM pop airwaves in the 1960s and 70s. A pioneer in music radio broadcasting, Trombley was best known for her unique ability to discover songs that would later become smash hits. This talent earned her the title of “girl with the golden ear”, and made her one of the most influential individuals in radio history.
The City of Windsor selected the intersection of Riverside Drive and McDougall Street as the location of the statue, intending to see Rosalie positioned with southwest Windsor at her back, looking out over the Riverfront Festival Plaza – a site of many music festivals – and across the Detroit River, at the nearby City of Detroit. In this way, Rosalie will stand forever, linking two cities and two countries, in a proud legacy of shaping the music and culture of Canada and the US in truly extraordinary ways.
