A public memorial for Grammy-winning artist Roberta Flack, held at the historic Abyssinian Baptist Church, featured heartfelt music and tributes from legends like Stevie Wonder, Lauryn Hill, and Wyclef Jean. Flack, who passed away at 88, was celebrated for her impactful songs like “The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face” and “Killing Me Softly.” The service included personal stories, choir performances, and reflections on Flack’s artistic genius by attendees, including Rev. Al Sharpton, who emphasized her role in uplifting Black dignity. The event was livestreamed and showcased Flack’s profound influence on music and humanity.
NEW YORK (AP) — A vibrant public memorial service filled with music featured performances from Stevie Wonder and a surprise appearance by Lauryn Hill alongside Wyclef Jean from the Fugees, celebrating the life and achievements of Grammy-winning singer and pianist Roberta Flack.
Flack, renowned for her deeply personal vocal and musical approach that made her one of the leading recording artists in the 1970s, passed away last month at the age of 88.
She is best remembered for her groundbreaking renditions of “The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face” and “Killing Me Softly With His Song,” both beautifully performed by Hill during the service held Monday afternoon at New York’s Abyssinian Baptist Church.
Wonder followed her performance, and the Rev. Al Sharpton delivered the eulogy.
Flack “provided a soundtrack to Black dignity,” Sharpton remarked.
As many shared in their tributes, Flack’s musical brilliance was evident in her effortless transitions among soul, jazz, gospel, and more.
The “Celebration of Life” memorial was broadcast live at www.RobertaFlack.com and on YouTube.
Here are some key moments:
A historic venue for a musical icon
Flack’s memorial took place at the Abyssinian Baptist Church, a historic landmark in Harlem. Established in 1808, it stands as one of the oldest Black Baptist churches in the United States.
The church was adorned with exquisite white and yellow floral arrangements. Seats filled rapidly, while a screen showcased a young Flack at the piano and highlighted her illustrious career. Later, it featured tributes from industry legends such as Clive Davis,Dionne Warwick, India.Arie, and Alicia Keys.
This location was a fitting tribute, as Flack grew up immersed in church gospel music, with her mother serving as an organist at the Lomax African Methodist Episcopal Church in Arlington, Virginia. As a teenager, she began accompanying the church choir on piano.
The ceremony deviated from the printed program given to attendees, which featured a poignant quote from Flack on the back that Arie incorporated into her speech.
“Remember: Always walk in the light,” Flack once said. “If you feel you are not walking in it, go and find it. Love the Light.”
Honoring a musical legacy through performance
“Her existence was a form of resistance,” Hill stated in her speech, holding back tears.
Hill’s unexpected attendance was fitting, as her hip-hop group the Fugees delivered a memorable rendition of Flack’s “Killing Me Softly With His Song” in the 1990s, earning them a Grammy—two decades after Flack won the record of the year for the same song.
“I adore Ms. Roberta Flack,” she proclaimed. “Roberta Flack is a legend.”
She then performed a cover of “The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face,” followed by “Killing Me Softly With His Song,” joined by Wyclef Jean and Wonder, who contributed with harmonica.
A legend who needed no introduction, but received one marked by thunderous applause, Wonder took the stage next.
“The beauty of not being able to see with your eyes is the incredible chance to see with your heart. I knew how beautiful Roberta was, not through sight, but in feeling her heart,” Wonder expressed.
He sang his song “If It’s Magic,” accompanied solely by a harpist. Then, at the piano, he performed a song he wrote for Flack, “I Can See the Sun in Late December.”
“I love you, Roberta. And I will see you,” Wonder concluded.
Earlier, songwriter and performer Valerie Simpson of Ashford & Simpson played piano and delivered an extended performance of “Ain’t Nothing Like the Real Thing,” interspersed with fond memories of their friendship.
“But that voice. Aw, she would just capture your heart. And when she played the keys, she knew how to touch the depths,” Simpson reminisced.
Simpson shared how she was approached to perform in “Chicago” for her Broadway debut in 2018, expressing her doubts about acting to Flack.
“She looked at me and said, ‘Girl, where’s the script? Bring it here. We’re going to work on this. We’re going to do this,’” Simpson recalled.
New Orleans singer and pianist Davell Crawford delivered a soulful rendition of Flack’s “Just When I Needed You,” triggering spirited cheers and celebrations.
A memorable tribute to a legendary artist
“So many of us are here today because she has touched not just our hearts but our souls,” remarked Rev. Dr. Kevin R. Johnson, the senior pastor who conducted the service.
Choir performances included a stirring version of “Amazing Grace,” interspersed with a video tribute to Flack’s life and scripture readings.
“The reason we’re gathered is that she made a difference,” Sharpton stated. “And we should all reflect on whether there will be a congregation to honor us in our time. If Roberta were here tonight, she would urge you, ‘Don’t merely praise me, emulate me.’”
Actress Phylicia Rashad recalled her first experience watching Flack perform while a student at Howard University, captivated by her gentle and steady voice.
Flack embraced her talent with humility, never needing to proclaim it to the world, according to Rashad.
“She donned her gift like a comfortable garment, focusing her life on what mattered most: music, love, and humanity,” Rashad concluded.
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Mead Gruver contributed to this report from Cheyenne, Wyoming.