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American Masters

How Roberta Flack created soul with "getting-togetherness"

Roberta Flack performed with all of that soulful "getting-toggetherness."

Aired 01/24/2023

American Masters

How Roberta Flack created soul with "getting-togetherness"

Clip: 1/24/2023 | 2m 43sVideo has Closed Captions

Roberta Flack performed with all of that soulful "getting-toggetherness."

Songwriter Les McCann described seeing Roberta Flack perform with all of that "getting-togetherness," referencing the soulful and central quality of Black music. "The concept of soul was really this attempt to recreate what was particular about being Black in America. This experience of struggle and resilience and pride," said author and cultural critic Emily Lordi.

Aired 01/24/2023

Support for American Masters is provided by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, AARP, Rosalind P. Walter Foundation, Judith and Burton Resnick, Blanche and Hayward Cirker Charitable Lead Annuity Trust, Koo...

Clint Eastwood loved "The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face"

Video has Closed Captions

Clint Eastwood loved Roberta Flack's song "The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face." (2m 42s)

The origin of Flack's hit "Killing Me Softly With His Song"

Video has Closed Captions

How Roberta Flack made "Killing Me Softly With His Song" her own. (2m 27s)

Roberta Flack

Video has Closed Captions

Discover music icon Roberta Flack’s rise to stardom and triumphs over racism and sexism. (35s)

Roberta Flack was a child piano prodigy

Video has Closed Captions

Growing up, Roberta Flack was known as a piano prodigy who "could play anything." (2m 9s)

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Support for American Masters is provided by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, AARP, Rosalind P. Walter Foundation, Judith and Burton Resnick, Blanche and Hayward Cirker Charitable Lead Annuity Trust, Koo...

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