Marva Hicks, a singer/actress who was born in Petersburg and had a top-10 success with “Never Been In Love Before” 21 years ago, has passed away. She was mourned by her fans, family, and friends.
Hicks passed away on September 16 from unknown circumstances. Her age was given as 47 in online records, including those of the internet movie database IMDb. She graduated from Petersburg High School in 1974, although according to several of her acquaintances, she was in her mid-60s at the time.
Her husband Akwasi Taha and family released a statement to Ebony magazine announcing her passing.
“The love she had for her husband, family, friends, and entertainment community knew no bounds,” the statement read. “We have been deeply touched by the incredible outpouring of love. Thank you for your compassion and prayers.”
Holly Robinson-Peete, a close friend and fellow actor, paid tribute to Hicks on Twitter and offered her sympathies to her family.
“Rest in Heavenly Eternal Peace, Sis,” Robinson-Peete tweeted.
Remembering my friend singer, composer, actress and #Broadway star Marva Hicks ????????????????????????????????????????????????????
Sending prayers to her sweet loving husband Akwasi Taha- (my college buddy) and to everyone who loved Marva…
We will miss you so much.
Rest In Heavenly Eternal Peace, Sis…???????? pic.twitter.com/Cp7Ryn4Oih— Holly Robinson Peete ????????♍️ (@hollyrpeete) September 18, 2022
Blair Underwood, a well-known local actor who was also born in Petersburg, and his family were close friends of Hicks’. Frank Underwood Jr., Underwood’s brother, mourned her on Facebook and described her as “severely talented” and a “vocal juggernaut,” adding that hearing the news of her passing was difficult.
“”It is always a gut punch when a friend or family member is taken to the great unknown, prompting the statement ‘gone too soon,'” Underwood, a writer and artist, wrote.
Music journalist Lorraine King tweeted, “Such a talented lady who will be sadly missed.” Actress Felicia Boswell tweeted a photo of Hicks with the words, “True legend.”
Marva Hicks. True Legend. ???????????? pic.twitter.com/bDaDpKeLnZ
— FELICIA BOSWELL (@Felicia_Boswell) September 18, 2022
She appeared in “One Life to Live,” “Sister, Sister,” and “Star Trek: Voyager” on television. She played Roberta Williams in the movies “Asunder” (1999), starring Underwood and Debbi Morgan, and “Labor Day,” starring Kate Winslet and Josh Brolin.
Hicks was a frequent performer in Broadway and off-Broadway productions in addition to her work in television and film. She appeared in several Broadway productions, including “Motown the Musical,” “Caroline, or Change,” “The Lion King,” and “Lena Horne: The Lady and Her Music,” as well as “Thunder Knocking on the Door,” “Caroline, or Change,” and “The First Breeze of Summer” off-Broadway.
The Helen Hayes Award, given for outstanding theatre in the Washington, D.C., area, was three times given to her.
Hicks toured as a vocalist alongside artists including Stevie Wonder. James Ingram, Sheryl Crow, and Michael Jackson. When her single “Never Been In Love Before” for Polydor Records reached No. 7 on the R&B chart in 1991, it gave her her big break as a solo artist. It was included in her debut CD of the same name, which was released in the same year.
“Looking Over My Shoulder,” “One Good Reason,” and “I Got You Where I Want” were some of the other songs she recorded.
The family stated in their statement that the details of the funeral will be released at a later time.
