Singer Roberta Flack’s life and legacy celebrated in moving memorial service

The life and legacy of Grammy-winning singer Roberta Flack have been honoured during a moving memorial service, where family, friends, and admirers gathered to celebrate her extraordinary impact on music and the world.

Flack, who passed away at the age of 88 on February 24, 2025, was remembered not just for her musical brilliance, but for the lasting impact she had on the hearts of those who knew her.

The memorial service brought together a gathering of admirers and loved ones, including musical icons Lauryn Hill and Stevie Wonder, who both paid tribute to Flack’s extraordinary life and talent. Wonder performed his heartfelt song If It’s Magic before moving to the piano to sing I Can See the Sun in Late December, a song he had written for Flack.

“The great thing about not having the ability to see with your eyes is the great opportunity of being able to even better see with your heart. And so I knew how beautiful Roberta was, not seeing her visually but being able to see and feel her heart,” Wonder said.

“I love you, Roberta. And I will see you.”

Reverend Al Sharpton delivered a powerful eulogy, reminding everyone of Flack’s incredible influence.

“The reason we’re here is because she made a difference,” Sharpton said.

“And we should all ask ourselves when it comes our time, will they pack a church for you? If Roberta were here tonight, she would tell you don’t just praise me, emulate me.”

In addition to the powerful tributes and kind words from those in attendance, the service featured a rousing rendition of Amazing Grace as well as a video tribute that celebrated Flack’s remarkable life.

Born February 10, 1937, Flack’s musical journey began when she started classical piano lessons at the age of nine.

At just 15 years of age, she was awarded a scholarship to Howard University in Washington DC where was made assistant conductor of the university choir before returning to North Carolina following her father’s death in 1959.

After returning to Washington in the 1960s, Flack began work as a school teacher and accompanied opera singers at the Tivoli opera restaurant in Georgetown, later playing various clubs in the DC area before taking a residency at Mr Henry’s.

After years spent teaching, Flack began her recording career at the age of 32, rising to stardom with The First Time I Ever Saw Your Face after the iconic actor and director Clint Eastwood used the song as the soundtrack for a love scene in his film Play Misty For Me.

The song won the Grammy for record of the year in 1973. Flack went on to win best female pop vocal performance for her hit Killing Me Softly With His Song a year later.

In recognition of her talent, Flack received the lifetime achievement award from the Recording Academy in 2020.

-with AP.