The R&B professional singer-songwriter, Ms Roberta Flack, best known for the hits “The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face” and “Killing Me Softly With His Song”, passed away peacefully at her home this morning, February 24th 2025, surrounded by her loving family, while in her 89th year.
Ms Flack (February 10, 1937 – February 24, 2025) had previously announced in 2022 that she had amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (motor neurone disease), and could no longer continue to sing.
Born in North Carolina and raised in Arlington, Virginia, USA, the musician started out as a classical pianist. She gained a full school scholarship to Howard University when aged just 15 years old; thus making her one of the youngest students ever to enrol there.
Her classical training led her into teaching piano, but at night she’d accompany opera singers on piano, while singing pop standards during the breaks.
Her Atlantic recordings did not sell particularly well, until actor/director Clint Eastwood chose a song from her first album “First Take”, using the lyrics written by Ewan MacColl, “The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face” for the sound track of his directorial debut “Play Misty for Me”. The song became the biggest hit of the year for 1972, spending six consecutive weeks at No. 1 and earning Ms Flack a million-selling Gold disc.
The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face.
The first time ever I saw your face,
I thought the sun rose in your eyes,
And the moon and the stars were the gifts you gave,
To the dark and the endless skies, my love,
To the dark and the endless skies.
And the first time ever I kissed your mouth,
I felt the earth move in my hand,
Like the trembling heart of a captive bird.
That was there at my command, my love,
That was there at my command, my love.
And the first time ever I lay with you,
I felt your heart so close to mine,
And I knew our joy it would fill the earth,
And last ’til the end of time, my love,
And it would last ’til the end of time,
The first time ever I saw your face.
Your face, your face, your face.
END
In 1966, Ms Flack married jazz musician Steve Novosel. The couple divorced in 1972. They had no children.
In 2010, she established “The Roberta Flack Foundation”, which promoted animal welfare and music education.
Ms Flack would go on to became the first artist ever to win a Grammy Award for ‘Record of the Year’ in two consecutive years; 1973 and 1974.
In 2020 Ms Flack won a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award.
Ms Flack was predeceased in 2022, by her godson and former music director, funk and jazz keyboardist Bernard Wright, latter who died in an accident.
Rest in Perfect peace, Ms Flack, your legacy will live long.
In ár gcroíthe go deo.
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