Roberta Flack’s Final Post: A Heartfelt Tribute to Celine Dion Days Before Her Passing at 88
Roberta Flack’s final Instagram post before she died was a sweet tribute to Celine Dion.
On Monday, the renowned singer, aged 88, died in Manhattan following a heart attack.
Three days before my own passing, I found myself drawn to the captivating voice of Celine Dion, 56, and couldn’t help but share my admiration for her cover of “The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face.” Her talent is truly extraordinary.
In the video, you could see Celine Dion appearing on stage wearing a stylish red gown for her TV event titled “All the Way… A Decade of Song” which took place in November 1999.
In 1972, a performance of the show on CBS was dedicated by Celine to Roberta, who had passed away earlier. This rendition went on to become an international hit for the late star. Interestingly, it was three years after she initially released her version of the song.
Next to the video, Roberta wrote: “I’m moved and excited to present this beautiful video of Celine Dion illuminating ‘The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face.’ Thank you, Celine, for your heartfelt performance! With love, Roberta.
The post received numerous compliments from fans, appreciating the two performers’ heartfelt interpretations of the moving song, composed by Ewan MacColl back in 1957 for his sweetheart Peggy Seeger – a renowned British political singer-songwriter.
A supporter wrote: “I appreciate you posting this, Ms. Flack. This rendition is new to me, and wow, it’s an incredible homage to your tune.
‘Celine possesses qualities beyond those of an ordinary person, and her voice resembles Roberta’s in a way that cannot be matched.’
According to a report from Variety, Roberta’s representatives have confirmed her demise, though they did not disclose the reason for it.
On Monday, her representatives confirmed with sadness that Roberta Flack, our beloved and illustrious artist, passed away on February 24, 2025.
In my narrative, I share the heartfelt news that I, too, have followed closely: I peacefully departed with the loving embrace of my cherished family members. Much like Roberta, I’ve been a pioneer, shattering boundaries and setting records in our shared journey. With immense pride, I can say that I was also an educator, instilling wisdom and inspiration into countless lives.
Friend and manager of the singer, Suzzaner Koga, informed The New York Times that the singer passed away en route to the hospital following a cardiac arrest incident.
In 2022, it was revealed that Flack had been diagnosed with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), often referred to as Lou Gehrig’s disease. Unfortunately, this condition meant she could no longer perform her singing duties.
The award-winning singer and pianist, renowned for her personal and expressive voice and music, placed her among the leading recording artists of the 1970s and a significant influence on performers even decades later.
Eileen Aiken, popularly known as Flack, shot to fame almost instantaneously when Clint Eastwood selected The First Time I Ever Saw Your Face as the background music for a particularly passionate and iconic love scene featuring Eastwood himself and Donna Mills in his 1971 film titled Play Misty for Me.
As a lifestyle enthusiast, I find myself often drawn to timeless pieces of music that resonate deeply with me. In 1972, one such piece was Carole King’s “You’ve Got a Friend,” which soared to the top of the Billboard pop chart. This beautifully crafted ballad, with its haunting melody and Carole’s exquisite soprano, was further honored by receiving the Grammy for Record of the Year. To this day, it continues to captivate audiences worldwide with its poignant lyrics and soulful delivery.
1973 saw her achieving a double victory that echoed with “Killing Me Softly With His Song,” making her the pioneering artist to secure two consecutive Grammy Awards for Best Record.
In addition to “Feel Like Makin’ Love” from the 1970s, Flack also produced other popular songs such as “Where Is the Love,” a collaboration with her close friend and former Howard University classmate Donny Hathaway, and “The Closer I Get to You.” This duo, unfortunately, ended in tragedy.
1979 saw them collaborating on a duet album. Regrettably, while they were in the process of recording, he experienced a mental breakdown and tragically took his life later that same night by jumping from his Manhattan hotel room.
Despite not surpassing her initial streak of success, she did achieve hits in the 1980s (with the Peabo Bryson duet “Tonight, I Celebrate My Love”) and in the 1990s (with the Maxi Priest duet “Set the Night to Music”).
In the late 1990s, Flack regained popularity following the Fugees’ Grammy-winning rendition of Killing Me Softly, and ultimately joined the hip-hop group for a live performance of the song.
In summary, she earned five Grammys (of which three were for Killing Me Softly), received additional nominations eight times, and was honored with a Lifetime Achievement Grammy in 2020; John Legend and Ariana Grande were among those expressing admiration for her accomplishments.
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2025-02-25 14:08