The songstress, whose intimate vocal and musical style made her one of the top recording artists of the 1970s and an influential performer long after, died last month at age 88.
Flack is best known for her transformative covers of “The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face” and “Killing Me Softly With His Song.” Both were expertly handled by Hill at the ceremony held Monday afternoon at New York's Abyssinian Baptist Church.
Wonder followed the set and the Rev. Al Sharpton gave the eulogy.
Flack “put a soundtrack to Black dignity,” Sharpton said.
As many said in their tributes, Flack’s musical genius stemmed from her ability to seamlessly move between soul, jazz, gospel, and beyond.
Her “Celebration of Life” memorial was live streamed at www.RobertaFlack.com and on YouTube.
Some highlights:
For the memory of a singing legend, a historic location
Flack’s memorial was open to the public at the Abyssinian Baptist Church, a historic Harlem institution. Founded in 1808, it is one of the oldest Black Baptist churches in the U.S.
The church was decorated for the ceremony with stunning white and yellow bouquets. Seats filled quickly. At center, a screen showed a young Flack at the piano and played highlights of her career. Later, it would broadcast music industry legends paying tribute to Flack, including Clive Davis, Dionne Warwick, India.Arie, and Alicia Keys.
It was a fitting location for such a celebration: Flack grew up with church gospel and her mother played organ at the Lomax African Methodist Episcopal Church in Arlington, Virginia. As a teen, she began accompanying the church choir on piano.
The ceremony detoured from a program handed out to attendees. It featured a powerful quote from Flack on the back that Arie would include in her message.
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Panel to look at Black Church in fight for justice
Narratives about the Civil Rights Movement of the 1950s and ’60s often highlight the influence of the Black church, especially the role played by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., who co-pastored Atlanta, Georgia's Ebenezer Baptist Church with his father and later served as the minister at Montgomery, Alabama's Dexter Avenue Baptist Church.
Black church leaders call for 40-day Target Boycott over $250M DEI demands
A call for economic resistance rang out from Antioch Baptist Church, where faith leaders gathered to launch a 40-day boycott of Target.
The Knicks endeavor to survive West Coast trip without Brunson
A worst-case scenario, or close to it, happened to the Knicks last Thursday just one game into their current seven-day, five-game West Coast road trip.
'Ghosts' is haunting, exquisite theater at Lincoln Center
I just experienced an exquisite theatrical work, as I sat in the Mitzi E. Newhouse Theater at Lincoln Center and saw “Ghosts.”
Lauryn Hill, Stevie Wonder delight at Roberta Flack's 'Celebration of Life' memorial
A public memorial service bursting with music, including planned performances by Stevie Wonder and a surprise one by Lauryn Hill and Wyclef Jean of the Fugees, celebrated the life and legacy of the Grammy-winning singer and pianist Roberta Flack.
Figure skater Maé-Bérénice Méité works to grow her place in history
It took French figure skater Maé-Bérénice Méité a long time to see herself as a part of history.
‘Vibe Check’ hosts discuss their perspectives on current era
For the “Vibe Check” podcast hosts, Black history is celebrated in every episode. At the Amsterdam News, every month is Black History Month.
Nets guard Keon Johnson making the most of his opportunities
Injuries, in addition to trades and other roster fluctuations begets surprising opportunities. Arguably, no other Brooklyn Nets player has taken advantage of the aforementioned circumstances more than fourth-year guard Keon Johnson.
Bronx Health Center unveils $2.6 million renovated facility
Leadership and clinic staff of nonprofits Acacia Network and La Casa de Salud gathered in the Bronx on Feb. 19 for a ribboncutting ceremony at Clay Avenue Health Center’s $2.6 million renovated facility.
Women's inspirational stories highlight the United Airlines NYC Half
Shaunta-Mae remains determined as she makes final preparations to participate in this Saturday's United Airlines NYC Half, a New York Road Runners (NYRR) event widely recognized as the world's premier half marathon.
