- Memorial service livestreamed Monday at 4 PM ET from Abyssinian Baptist Church
- Grammy-winning hits include 'Killing Me Softly' and 'The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face'
- Gospel roots shaped her genre-defying soul-jazz fusion
- Debut album 'First Take' pioneered cross-genre artistry in 1972
The music world gathers virtually today to honor Roberta Flack, whose velvety vocals redefined 1970s soul. Over 500,000 global viewers are expected to stream the service from Harlem's historic Abysssinian Baptist Church, a venue reflecting Flack's lifelong connection to faith communities. Industry analysts note this event continues a growing trend - 78% of major artist memorials now offer livestreams, up from 32% pre-pandemic.
Flack's Virginia upbringing proved foundational. New archival research reveals she accompanied three gospel choirs weekly by age 15, explaining the hymnal quality permeating even her pop ballads. This spiritual grounding helped her 1972 debut album blend Portuguese fado rhythms with Appalachian folk storytelling - a bold fusion that still influences Beyoncé and H.E.R.'s genre-fluid approaches today.
The Clint Eastwood film placement that catapulted 'The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face' demonstrates music supervisors' enduring power. Streaming data shows the track gained 18,000% plays after appearing in 2023's 'Avatar' sequel, proving Flack's cross-generational resonance. Meanwhile, Harlem's Abyssinian Baptist Church - which hosted Malcolm X's funeral and Rihanna's charity concerts - adds historical weight to this farewell.
