When love is music, and music is love: A thank you to my aunt, Roberta Flack
Philadelphia was one of the cities that truly embraced Roberta Flack as its own, writes the late singer's niece.
Music wasn’t just something I listened to — it was something that was part of me. Growing up, my father would quiz me on classic songs, playing a record and waiting for me to name the artist. Sometimes, I’d hesitate. But never when it came to my aunt, Roberta Flack. There was no mistaking that voice. Her sound was distinct — elegant yet powerful, tender yet full of strength.
I didn’t just admire her — I wanted to live up to the legacy she built. Sharing her last name was a responsibility — I wanted to make her proud.
My Aunt Roberta’s musical impact was felt across the world, but Philadelphia was one of the cities that truly embraced her as its own. She played at iconic venues like the Academy of Music and the Dell Music Center, where her voice soared through the night, mesmerizing audiences with its emotional depth and precision.
One of her most memorable Philadelphia performances was at the Spectrum on July 15, 1972, alongside Donny Hathaway. The two shared a deep musical synergy, and their duets — “Where Is the Love” and “The Closer I Get to You” — became timeless classics. That night, their chemistry electrified the audience and made its mark in Philadelphia’s rich musical history.
Philadelphia also recognized her contribution to music and vocal artistry. In 2014, the Voice Foundation, a Philadelphia-based organization dedicated to the science and care of the human voice, honored her with the Voice Education Research Awareness (VERA) Award. The award celebrated not just her extraordinary vocal talent, but her role in inspiring future generations of musicians.
Beyond her own performances, my Aunt Roberta had strong ties to Philadelphia’s music scene. She collaborated with legendary producer and songwriter Thom Bell, one of the architects of the Philadelphia Sound. She deeply admired the city’s musical legacy, often speaking about how its soulful roots influenced her artistry. I remember her telling me that Philadelphia had a special energy — a city that knew how to listen, how to feel a song in its bones.
But my Aunt Roberta’s legacy wasn’t just about the music she made, it was also about the lives she touched. She was deeply committed to arts education and mentorship. She worked with young musicians through the Roberta Flack School of Music and through her foundation, ensuring future generations had access to quality music education.
She also used her platform for humanitarian work, supporting initiatives for music therapy in underserved communities and raising funds for disaster relief efforts, including Hurricane Katrina.
For me, my Aunt Roberta’s music was an inspiration — through it, I truly understood the power of a song to move people, to tell stories, to change lives.
Because of Aunt Roberta, I trained in classical opera, pushing myself to master the craft she had elevated effortlessly. At 13, I sang at Carnegie Hall, carrying with me everything I had learned from listening to her.
But I didn’t look up to her just as a musician, I looked up to her as an example of excellence and integrity. Every note she sang, every lyric she carefully delivered, every performance she gave — she taught me that music is more than sound: it is emotion, it is history, it is truth.
Before she left this world, she made sure I knew she had been watching, listening, and cheering me on. In one of our last conversations, she told me something I will hold onto forever:
“Keep going, keep exploring. And whatever you do, fall in love with it. Love is music, and music is love.”
That love was Roberta Flack’s greatness. And Philadelphia, with its deep love for music and for her, was part of that story. Her audiences — both in this city and beyond — were blessed she shared that love with us.
Shari Flack-Council is an actress, singer, author, and aspiring journalist, carrying forward a legacy of music and storytelling.