We’re closing out Black History Month with a sad tribute, a memorial induction….
From Billboard:
Roberta Flack, the beloved, Grammy-winning 1970s singer best known for such hits as “The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face” and “Killing Me Softly” died on Monday (Feb. 24, 2025) at 88. At press time a statement from Flack’s spokesperson revealed that she died peacefully, with no official cause of death available.
“We are heartbroken that the glorious Roberta Flack passed away this morning, Feb. 24, 2025,” read the statement. “She died peacefully surrounded by her family. Roberta broke boundaries and records. She was also a proud educator.”
A master of the “quiet storm” style, Flack’s effortless, soothing vocals soon became a staple of R&B and pop radio, leading to a two-decade run of chart hits.
An activist and philanthropist, Flack remained a teacher at heart. She established the Roberta Flack Foundation in 2010 to help young people fulfill their dreams through education and mentorship.
From Wikipedia:
Roberta Cleopatra Flack (February 10, 1937 – February 24, 2025) was an American singer and pianist known for her emotive, genre-blending ballads that spanned R&B, jazz, folk, and pop and contributed to the birth of quiet storm. Her commercial success included the Billboard Hot 100 chart-topping singles "The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face", "Killing Me Softly with His Song", and "Feel Like Makin' Love". She became the first artist to win the Grammy Award for Record of the Year in consecutive years.
Flack frequently collaborated with Donny Hathaway, with whom she recorded several hit duets, including "Where Is the Love" and "The Closer I Get to You". As one of the defining voices of 1970s popular music, she remained active in the industry, later finding success with duets such as "Tonight, I Celebrate My Love" with Peabo Bryson (1983) and "Set the Night to Music" with Maxi Priest (1991). Across her decades-long career, she interpreted works by songwriters such as Leonard Cohen and members of the Beatles. In 2020, Flack received the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award.
O’Bservation:
I can’t say if I would have thought of checking her credits on IMDb had she not died. But it would likely have happened because I’m always afraid I won’t have enough candidates for the February Induction berth in years to come (which hopefully I have.) At the same time, she probably would have come to mind because she fits the kind of cameo appearance of a celebrity in soap operas – a singer who comes to whatever fictional town which is the location of the series, in order to perform at some kind of gala.
Here are the appearances which qualified her inclusion into the TVXOHOF. I’m sorry I didn’t think of inducting her while she was still here, not that I’m deluding myself that any of the actors & celebrities honored here ever learn of it.
We’ll start this off with an appearance she made on THE late night talk show, one which is a member of the TVXOHOF.
(Seen here July, 1978)
O'Bservation:
Between 1970-1984, Ms. Flack appeared on the talk show nine times.
ANOTHER WORLD
1] EPISODE NOVEMBER 17 (1983)
Louise Mandrell & Roberta Flack entertain at a fund-raiser for Abel Marsh's eye clinic held at the Warehouse Club.
“Making Love”
Written by Carole Bayer Sager, Burt Bacharach and Bruce Roberts
Performed by Roberta Flack
2] EPISODE NOVEMBER 18 (1983)
Conclusion of Louise Mandrell & Roberta Flack entertaining at a fund-raiser for Abel Marsh's eye clinic.
“I'm the One”
Written by William Eaton, Ralph MacDonald and William Salter
Performed by Roberta Flack
THE MACY’S THANKSGIVING DAY PARADE (1988)
From the Macy's Parade Wiki:
Flack sang "Oasis" from her first solo album at the 62nd Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade while riding Macy's own Watering Can.
O’Bservation:
I’m adding this because the parade will be inducted later this year….
EPISODE MAY 1, 1992 (1992)
“The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face”
Written by Ewan MacColl
Performed by Roberta Flack
LOVING
EPISODE 1.2516 (1993)
A mob hit man's widow poses as a police officer to carry out a murder of a fellow crook in Williams and Torres' precinct.
“Killing Me Softly”
Music by Charles Fox and lyrics by Norman Gimbel
Performed by Roberta Flack
Good night and may God bless, Ms. Flack.
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