The mural that graces the Black Mountain Kitchen and Ale House is stunning, an intimate and soulful capture of Black Mountain’s most famous person, Roberta Flack. Feb 10th is her Birthday so it seems appropriate to celebrate her today.
Hailed internationally as one of the greatest songstresses of our time, Roberta Flack remains unparalleled in her ability to tell a story through music. She is the only solo artist to win the GRAMMY Award for Record of the Year in two consecutive years: “The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face” won in 1973 and “Killing Me Softly with His Song” won in 1974.
Classically trained on the piano from an early age, Ms. Flack received a music scholarship at age 15 to attend Howard University. Discovered while singing at the Washington, DC nightclub Mr. Henry’s by jazz musician Les McCann, she was immediately signed to Atlantic Records. With a string of hits, including, “The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face,” “Where Is the Love” (a duet with former Howard University classmate Donny Hathaway), “Killing Me Softly With His Song,” “Feel Like Makin’ Love,” “The Closer I Get to You,” “Tonight I Celebrate My Love,” and “Set the Night to Music,” Roberta Flack has inspired countless artists with her musical brilliance and honesty.
Described by Reverend Jesse Jackson as “socially relevant and politically unafraid,” Ms. Flack is very active as a humanitarian and mentor. She founded the Roberta Flack School of Music at the Hyde Leadership Charter School in the Bronx, providing an innovative and inspiring music education program to underprivileged students free of charge.
In 2010, Ms. Flack founded The Roberta Flack Foundation whose mission statement is to support animal welfare and music education. In 2020, she received a GRAMMY Lifetime Achievement Award. She has also raised awareness and funds for Feed The Children.org during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Remember: Always walk in the light. And if you feel like you’re not walking in it, go find it. Love the light.” — Roberta Flack
Thank you to NC MUSICIAN MURALS Project and Black Mountain Brewing for bringing this beautiful work of art to our community.
Biography sourced from http://www.robertaflack.com/.
