Latest news with #KillingMeSoftlyWithHisSong
Los Angeles Times
11-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Los Angeles Times
This momentous LACMA exhibition called for a group portrait — to the tune of Roberta Flack
Artists gathered at LACMA for a portrait commemorating their inclusion in 'Imagining Black Diasporas: 21st-Century Art and Poetics,' on view through July 27. During the photo shoot, there was a special request to listen to Roberta Flack (the singer had died two days earlier). The entire group sang along as 'Killing Me Softly With His Song' echoed through the galleries. The exhibition introduces 42 new acquisitions for LACMA as part of the museum's ongoing work to expand its program and collection of art by African-descendant artists. It's been an honor to bring this exhibition to life with the work of 60 multigenerational artists based around the world. At the opening, artists caught up and met for the first time, potentially creating new diasporic networks of exchange and connectivity. —Dhyandra Lawson, Andy Song associate curator of Contemporary Art at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art
Yahoo
11-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Stevie Wonder, Ms. Lauryn Hill Honor Roberta Flack At Celebration Of Life
In a fitting tribute to her lasting influence, Roberta Flack's memorial service featured performances from musicians whom she'd inspired. According to Billboard, both Stevie Wonder, Wyclef Jean, and Ms. Lauryn Hill performed at the acclaimed singer's celebration of life on Monday (March 10) at Abyssinian Baptist Church in Harlem, New York. A clip shared on social media highlighted the moment Ms. Lauryn Hill performed an emotional tribute to Flack. Taking the microphone, the singer delivered a live rendition of 'The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face.' Billboard reported that Hill and Jean also performed The Fugees 'Killing Me Softly With His Song,' with Stevie Wonder playing the harmonica. 'We weren't formally asked to do this because I think they were a little shy in asking us to attend,' Hill explained, per Billboard 'So we kind of bum-rushed the service because it really wouldn't be possible for us to just stand by and not participate… The artistry of Ms. Roberta Flack was beyond trailblazing.' Ms. Hill's speech continued, 'Like Nina Simone, she carved out for me a pathway of soulful Black intellectual sublime beauty that not only spoke to Black resistance directly in lyric and statement, but was Black resistance in in to racism, bigotry and limitations by virtue of its existence… She didn't just write about the beauty; she was the beauty. She didn't just write about resistance; her existence was a form of resistance. She wrote our stories in forms the established authorities of the time could not deny; compositions wrapped with graceful classical forms and nuances that would not nor could not be dismissed… I thank my parents for introducing me to her masterful music. Thank you to our Father in Heaven, to our God on high for blessing and enriching all of our lives with her presence and undeniable gifts. Roberta Flack is legend.' Stevie Wonder also shared touching words before singing to an emotional crowd. He sang 'If It's Magic' for his late friend, as well as 'I Can See the Sun.' 'The great thing about not having the ability to see with your eyes is the great opportunity in being able to see even better with your heart,' the 74-year-old elaborated. 'So I knew how beautiful Roberta was. I celebrate that because I see that so much of the world and yes, this nation too, must be blind at this point… and it breaks my heart. And Roberta, I want to just say to you in spirit, I thank you for letting me hear your voice, letting me know your spirit, letting me know your heart and letting me be able to share with you songs that I was writing.' Towards the end of the program, video clips dedicated with the life and career of Roberta Flack were played with words from Clive Davis, Oprah Winfrey, Alicia Keys, Peabo Bryson, Dionne Warwick, Les McCann and Yoko Ono. Additionally, Letters from former Vice President Kamala Harris and Recording Academy CEO Harvey Mason Jr. were read as well. Rev. Al Sharpton delivered the eulogy; presiding over the memorial service was Abyssinian's Rev. Dr. Kevin Johnson. Roberta Flack passed away last month. According to a statement, the North Carolina native 'died peacefully, surrounded by her family.' In 2022, Flack revealed she was diagnosed with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), a condition commonly known as Lou Gehrig's disease. According to the New York Times, Flack died en route to the hospital, with the official cause of death named cardiac arrest. More from Lauryn Hill Co-Signs Doechii During Recent Performance: Watch Ms. Lauryn Hill Honors Roberta Flack's "Delicate Power" In Touching Tribute Roberta Flack, Grammy Award-Winning Singer, Passes Away At 88
Euronews
11-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Euronews
Lauryn Hill and Stevie Wonder perform at Roberta Flack's 'Celebration of Life' musical memorial
The incredibly moving service held at New York's Abyssinian Baptist Church featured musical performances and speeches. "Roberta Flack is legend," said a visibly moved Lauryn Hill. ADVERTISEMENT 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. Flack died last month aged 88 and is remembered for her ability to seamlessly move between soul, jazz and gospel, as evidenced by her transformative covers of 'The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face' and 'Killing Me Softly With His Song'. The ceremony, 'Celebration of Life', was held Monday afternoon at New York's Abyssinian Baptist Church, a historic Harlem institution and one of the oldest Black Baptist churces in the US. It was open to the public and livestreamed on the late artist's website and on YouTube. People attend a ceremony in celebration of Roberta Flack's life at The Abyssinian Baptist Church - Monday 10 March 2025 AP Photo American civil rights activist Al Sharpton gave the eulogy, saying that Flack "put a soundtrack to Black dignity,' adding: 'The reason we're here is because she made a difference. 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.'" Al Sharpton speaks during a ceremony in celebration of Roberta Flack's life at The Abyssinian Baptist Church - Monday 10 March 2025 AP Photo 'Her existence was a form of resistance,' Lauryn Hill said in her speech, holding back tears. 'I adore Ms. Roberta Flack. Roberta Flack is legend.' The Fugees did a masterful take on Flack's cover 'Killing Me Softly With His Song', which won the group a Grammy. Hill performed a cover of 'The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face' followed by 'Killing Me Softly With His Song' with the Fugees' Wyclef Jean — with Stevie Wonder joining in on harmonica. '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. He performed his song 'If It's Magic', accompanied only by a harpist, before singing a song he wrote for Flack: 'I Can See the Sun in Late December'. Here are some pictures from the moving ceremony: Senior Pastor of The Abyssinian Baptist Church, Reverend Dr. Kevin R. Johnson speaks during the ceremony AP Photo A choir performs during a ceremony in celebration of Roberta Flack's life AP Photo Lauryn Hill of the Fugees performs during a ceremony in celebration of Roberta Flack's life AP Photo Wyclef Jean, left, and Lauryn Hill of the Fugees perform during the ceremony AP Photo The Nebulous String Quartet from Berklee College of Music performs during the ceremony AP Photo Stevie Wonder attends the ceremony AP Photo Stevie Wonder performs during the ceremony AP Photo 'Many of us are here today because she has touched not just our hearts but she also touched our souls,' said Rev. Dr. Kevin R. Johnson, the senior church pastor who led the service. Roberta Flack AP Photo Roberta Flack. 1937 - 2025. Rest In Peace.
Euronews
11-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Euronews
In Pictures: Roberta Flack's 'Celebration of Life' musical memorial
The incredibly moving service held at New York's Abyssinian Baptist Church featured musical performances and speeches. "Roberta Flack is legend," said a visibly moved Lauryn Hill. ADVERTISEMENT 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. Flack died last month aged 88 and is remembered for her ability to seamlessly move between soul, jazz and gospel, as evidenced by her transformative covers of 'The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face' and 'Killing Me Softly With His Song'. The ceremony, 'Celebration of Life', was held Monday afternoon at New York's Abyssinian Baptist Church, a historic Harlem institution and one of the oldest Black Baptist churces in the US. It was open to the public and livestreamed on the late artist's website and on YouTube. American civil rights activist Al Sharpton gave the eulogy, saying that Flack "put a soundtrack to Black dignity,' adding: 'The reason we're here is because she made a difference. 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.'" 'Her existence was a form of resistance,' Lauryn Hill said in her speech, holding back tears. 'I adore Ms. Roberta Flack. Roberta Flack is legend.' The Fugees did a masterful take on Flack's cover 'Killing Me Softly With His Song', which won the group a Grammy. Hill performed a cover of 'The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face' followed by 'Killing Me Softly With His Song' with the Fugees' Wyclef Jean — with Stevie Wonder joining in on harmonica. '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. He performed his song 'If It's Magic', accompanied only by a harpist, before singing a song he wrote for Flack: 'I Can See the Sun in Late December'. Here are some pictures from the moving ceremony: 'Many of us are here today because she has touched not just our hearts but she also touched our souls,' said Rev. Dr. Kevin R. Johnson, the senior church pastor who led the service. Roberta Flack. 1937 - 2025. Rest In Peace.
Yahoo
11-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Lauryn Hill and Stevie Wonder delight at Roberta Flack's 'Celebration of Life' musical memorial
NEW YORK (AP) — 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. Flack, 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. She's 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. See for yourself — The Yodel is the go-to source for daily news, entertainment and feel-good stories. By signing up, you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy. 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 livestreamed at and on YouTube. Here are 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, 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. 'Remember: Always walk in the light,' Flack once said. 'If you feel like you're not walking in it, go find it. Love the Light.' Celebrating a life in music — through music 'Her existence was a form of resistance,' Hill said in her speech, holding back tears. Hill's appearance was unexpected but fitting. In the 1990s, her hip-hop trio the Fugees did a masterful take on Flack's cover 'Killing Me Softly With His Song." It won the group a Grammy, two decades after Flack took home the record of the year trophy for the song. 'I adore Ms. Roberta Flack,' she said. 'Roberta Flack is legend.' She then launched into a cover of 'The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face' followed by 'Killing Me Softly With His Song' with the Fugees' Wyclef Jean — and Wonder joining in on harmonica. A legend who needed no introduction but certainly received one with roaring applause, Wonder followed up. '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. He performed his song 'If It's Magic,' accompanied only by a harpist. Then he sat at the piano to sing with the harpist a song he wrote for Flack, 'I Can See the Sun in Late December.' 'I love you, Roberta. And I will see you,' Wonder said at the end. Earlier, songwriter and performer Valerie Simpson of Ashford & Simpson played piano and sang an extended take of 'Ain't Nothing Like the Real Thing' interspersed with recollections of her friend. 'But that voice. Aw, she'd just grab you in the heart. And then when she touched the keys, she knew how to dig down deep,' Simpson said. Simpson recalled being tapped to perform in 'Chicago' for her 2018 Broadway debut and how she told Flack she wasn't sure if she could act. 'She looked at me and said, 'Girl, where's the script? Bring it over here. We're going to work on this thing. We're going to do this,'' remembered Simpson. New Orleans singer and piano player Davell Crawford performed a soulful version of Flack's song 'Just When I Needed You' to celebratory shouts and cheers. A legendary artist remembered 'Many of us are here today because she has touched not just our hearts but she also touched our souls,' said the Rev. Dr. Kevin R. Johnson, the senior church pastor who led the service. Choir performances including a rousing rendition of 'Amazing Grace' came in between a video recollection of Flack's life and scripture readings. '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.'" Actor Phylicia Rashad remembered first seeing Flack perform when she was a student at Howard University — to an audience that grew rapt by her quiet, steady voice. Flack lived comfortably with her genius and without having to proclaim it to people, Rashad said. 'She wore that like a loose fitting garment and lived her life attending to that which she cared for most: music, love and humanity,' Rashad said. ___ Mead Gruver contributed to this report from Cheyenne, Wyoming.
