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Raised in Arlington, Virginia, Roberta Flack was initially inspired to sing by the gospel music she heard at her local African-American Baptist Church. A gifted classical pianist, she won a scholarship to Howard University in Washington DC, where she developed her vocal style and became a teacher. She also started playing in clubs, accompanying opera singers and singing blues and jazz in the interval, building a reputation at the 1520 Club. Eventually she was discovered by Atlantic Records, quickly recording her debut album First Take in a few hours. However, Flack didn't become a big success until Clint Eastwood used one of her tracks - a cover of Ewan MacColl's sentimental ballad First Time Ever I Saw Your Face - in his movie, Play Misty For Me. It became the biggest hit of 1972, topping the US charts for six weeks and she went on to have a successful recording career with Donny Hathaway; scoring another Number 1 in 1973 with Killing Me Softly and enjoying further soulful hits with Tonight I Celebrate My Love and You're Looking Like Love To Me.
Artist biography compiled by BDS/West 10. All rights reserved
