The life and legacy of legendary singer-songwriter Roberta Flack will be honored at a celebration of life on Monday, March 10, at Abyssinian Baptist Church in Harlem. Rev. Al Sharpton, the prominent civil rights leader, WBLS talent, and founder of the National Action Network (NAN), will deliver the eulogy, recognizing Flack’s contributions to music and activism.
The service is open to the public and will also be streamed live on www.RobertaFlack.com, allowing fans from around the globe to participate in honoring a true music legend. Among those sharing heartfelt remarks will be Valerie Simpson, famed singer-songwriter and longtime friend of Flack.
“She was also a freedom fighter and activist.”
Rev. Sharpton reflected on Flack’s impact both as an artist and an advocate for social justice. “I was deeply saddened by the news of the death of Roberta Flack, one of the greatest musicians and songsters of all time,” Sharpton said. “Her voice and music brought American and Afro American culture and music to another level. She was also a freedom fighter and activist. I first met her when I was 12 years old at a rally for Operation Breadbasket. She was a huge supporter of Operation Breadbasket and Rev. Jesse Jackson. In the last 25 years, she always supported and was present for events of National Action Network. May she rest in peace and power; her music will last forever. I’m looking forward to a celebration of life that truly honors someone whose immense accomplishments and impact on the world deserve the highest tribute.”
Flack, who passed away on February 24 at the age of 88, was a pioneering vocalist, pianist, and songwriter whose soulful ballads captivated audiences worldwide. Her hits, including “The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face” and “Killing Me Softly with His Song,” earned her multiple Grammy Awards and cemented her place in music history.
Flack became an overnight star after Clint Eastwood used “The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face” as the soundtrack for one of cinema’s more memorable and explicit love scenes, between the actor and Donna Mills in his 1971 film “Play Misty for Me.” The hushed, hymn-like ballad, with Flack’s graceful soprano afloat on a bed of soft strings and piano, topped the Billboard pop chart in 1972 and received a Grammy for record of the year.
The memorial service will take place at Abyssinian Baptist Church, located at 132 West 138th Street in Harlem, at 4 p.m. EST. The service will also be live-streamed at www.RobertaFlack.com.