Get the latest gossip

Forever No. 1: Roberta Flack’s ‘Feel Like Makin’ Love’

Roberta Flack’s "Feel Like Makin’ Love" became her third No. 1 in three years in 1974, also marking the latest Hot 100-topper of her great career.

And alongside various musical moments such as David Bowie launching his Diamond Dogs tour and Dolly Parton releasing the Jolene album, Roberta Flack set a record as the first female solo artist to reign at No. In this instance, veteran singer-songwriter Eugene McDaniels (best known for his 1961 top five Hot 100 hit “A Hundred Pounds of Clay,” as well as the jazz standard “Compared to What”) had invited his assistant Morgan Ames to join him and his family for a mini-vacation at his in-laws’ cabin in Lake Arrowhead, Calif. Hired for the three-hour recording session were noted musicians Bob James (piano), Idris Muhammad (drums), Gary King (bass) and Richie Resnicoff and Hugh McCracken (guitars).

Get the Android app