Roberta Flack, the Grammy Award-winning singer renowned for timeless hits like “Killing Me Softly With His Song” and “The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face,” has passed away at the age of 88. A representative confirmed the news to NBC News on Monday.
Flack, who achieved global fame for her soulful voice and unforgettable music, had been battling ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, a condition that took away her ability to sing and made speaking difficult. The progressive nature of ALS rendered her unable to perform, as announced in November 2022. At that time, her manager, Suzanne Koga, explained that the disease “has made it impossible to sing and not easy to speak.”
In a statement released following her death, Flack’s representatives said they were “heartbroken” by her passing. “She died peacefully surrounded by her family,” the statement read. “Roberta broke boundaries and records. She was also a proud educator.”
Born on February 10, 1937, in Black Mountain, North Carolina, Flack’s early life was marked by music. She was the daughter of a church organist, which fostered her love for music from an early age. Flack began playing classical piano as a young child, setting the stage for a lifetime of musical achievement. Her extraordinary talents were recognized early on, earning her a scholarship to Howard University in Washington, D.C., when she was just 15 years old.
The Path to Stardom
Flack’s discovery was a turning point in her career. Jazz musician Les McCann, who was playing at Mr. Henry’s, a Washington, D.C., nightclub, is credited with discovering Flack’s vocal prowess. McCann was immediately taken by the emotional depth of her voice. He later described it as touching “every emotion I’ve ever known,” and it was this unique sound that helped propel her to fame.
In collaboration with McCann, Flack signed with Atlantic Records and recorded “The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face,” a song written by Ewan MacColl. The track became a defining moment in her career. Originally released in 1969, the song achieved major success after being featured in Clint Eastwood’s 1971 directorial debut, Play Misty for Me. The radio version released by Atlantic became a smash hit, reaching No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1972. The song earned Flack two Grammy Awards in 1973, including Record of the Year and Song of the Year.
The release of First Take, the album that included “The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face,” helped cement Flack’s reputation as one of the most gifted and influential vocalists of her generation.
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A Series of Hits
Following the success of “The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face,” Flack continued to release chart-topping hits that solidified her place in music history. Among these was “Killing Me Softly With His Song,” a collaboration with Howard University classmate Donny Hathaway. The song became one of Flack’s most iconic tracks, reaching No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1973. It would become her signature song, loved for its smooth rhythm and emotional depth.
Her collaboration with Hathaway continued with another hit, “Where Is the Love,” and other songs that contributed to the unique chemistry between the two artists. Hathaway, a gifted soul singer, tragically passed away in 1979 at the age of 33 under mysterious circumstances. His death, ruled a suicide after a fall from a hotel window, was a profound loss to Flack, both personally and professionally.
In the aftermath, Flack expressed her sorrow over Hathaway’s passing, saying in a 1979 interview, “He was very sensitive, reacting to the things around him, and whatever was inside of him. He was a genius, so he wasn’t satisfied with his own performances, his own output. Like many creative people, his good periods were very exuberant and his lows were extremely low.”
Despite this personal and professional setback, Flack continued to thrive, forming new musical partnerships. In 1980, she began working with Peabo Bryson, and the duo achieved success with the 1983 hit “Tonight, I Celebrate My Love,” a romantic ballad that became a Top 10 hit.
Flack’s career was far from over. She released a series of successful albums throughout the 1980s and 1990s, including the hit duet “Set the Night to Music” with Maxi Priest in 1991. In 1997, she released a Christmas album that became a holiday favorite.
Legacy and Later Years
Roberta Flack’s music transcended generations, inspiring both longtime fans and a new wave of listeners. In the 1990s, her music was rediscovered by a younger audience, thanks in part to the Fugees’ 1996 hit version of “Killing Me Softly With His Song,” which topped charts worldwide. The Fugees’ rendition brought Flack’s music to an entirely new demographic and renewed interest in her remarkable catalog.
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Flack’s contributions to music were recognized with numerous honors over the years. In 1999, she was awarded a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, cementing her place in the pantheon of great American artists. Later that year, she performed in South Africa for then-President Nelson Mandela, further solidifying her international acclaim.
Despite struggling with health issues, including a stroke in 2016, Flack continued to perform into her 70s and 80s. She remained active, performing for audiences around the world and using her platform to inspire the next generation of musicians. In 2007, she founded the Roberta Flack School of Music at the Hyde Leadership Charter School in the Bronx. The school offered free music education to underprivileged students, providing them with an opportunity to pursue their passion for music.
In recent years, Flack had faced significant health challenges. A stroke in 2016 was followed by another health scare in 2018, when she was hospitalized after feeling dizzy during a Jazz Foundation of America event. Despite these obstacles, Flack’s resilience and love for her craft were evident. She returned to the stage in 2018 to perform once more.
Musicians Pay Tribute
Flack’s passing has prompted an outpouring of tributes from the music world and beyond. American singer-songwriter Carole King, a fellow music icon, shared her condolences on social media, writing, “Rest in Peace Roberta Flack,” accompanied by a photo of the legendary singer.
Jennifer Hudson, another acclaimed artist, called Flack “one of the greatest soul singers of all time.” Hudson’s post on X (formerly Twitter) also included a heartfelt message: “Your legacy lives on!!!”
Flack’s influence on the music industry is undeniable, and her legacy will continue to inspire artists and music lovers alike. Her soulful voice, powerful lyrics, and emotional delivery made her one of the most revered and respected figures in music history.
In a 2018 interview with The Associated Press, Flack reflected on the emotional connection she had with her songs: “It’s hard to be moved, to be moved constantly by your own songs. You need it to be in tune with them, and I don’t mean in tune musically, but in tune with the lyrics, the words, and the meaning. You need to be in tune with all of that, and that takes a little bit of doing.”
Roberta Flack’s music, her passion for education, and her dedication to her craft will live on forever in the hearts of those who loved her.
