February 24, 2025 – Roberta Flack, the Grammy-winning singer known for the iconic hit “Killing Me Softly With His Song,” has passed away at the age of 88.
Her publicist confirmed her death on Monday but did not disclose the cause. In recent years, Flack had been battling ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, which had taken away her ability to sing after her diagnosis in 2022.
“She died peacefully, surrounded by her family,” the publicist’s statement read.
A Trailblazer in Music
Born Roberta Flack on February 10, 1937, in Black Mountain, North Carolina, Flack grew up in Arlington, Virginia. Coming from a musical family with strong gospel influences, she displayed exceptional talent early on. Her father salvaged and restored a piano for her from a junkyard, which became her first instrument.
At just 15 years old, she earned a music scholarship to Howard University, where she honed her skills and later became a fixture in Washington, D.C.’s club scene. Jazz musician Les McCann eventually discovered her, setting the stage for her rise to stardom.
Rise to Fame and Career Highlights
Flack’s breakthrough came when Clint Eastwood featured her romantic ballad “The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face” in his 1971 film Play Misty for Me. The song became a massive hit, earning her the Grammy Award for Record of the Year in 1972.
She achieved another historic milestone the following year, winning the same award again for “Killing Me Softly With His Song.” She remains the first artist to ever win Record of the Year in consecutive years.
Flack initially heard “Killing Me Softly”—originally recorded by folk singer Lori Lieberman in 1971—while on a flight. She was inspired to rearrange it, and after a powerful live performance, Quincy Jones advised her to record it immediately before performing it publicly again. The song became her defining hit.
In 1996, the Fugees, led by Lauryn Hill, released a remixed version of “Killing Me Softly,” bringing the song back to the top of the charts and earning Flack renewed recognition.
She also enjoyed a celebrated musical partnership with Donny Hathaway, a fellow Howard University alumnus. Together, they recorded classics such as “Where Is the Love” and “You’ve Got a Friend.”
Over the course of her career, Flack’s smooth and soulful sound helped shape the “quiet storm” genre of R&B, known for its soft yet emotionally powerful ballads. She described her style as “scientific soul,” a mix of meticulous musicianship and deep emotional expression.
A Legacy Beyond Music
Flack was not only a celebrated artist but also an advocate for social change. She was active in the civil rights movement and was close to figures like Reverend Jesse Jackson and activist Angela Davis. She performed at the funeral of baseball legend Jackie Robinson, Major League Baseball’s first Black player.
Reflecting on her early years, Flack once said, “I grew up at a time when ‘Black’ was the most derogatory word you could use. I went through the civil rights movement and learned, long after leaving Black Mountain, that being Black was a positive thing—the most positive thing we could be.”
Her contributions to music were recognized with numerous accolades, including a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Recording Academy in 2020.
Tributes Pour In
Following news of her passing, tributes flooded social media from fans and fellow musicians. Singer Jennifer Hudson hailed Flack as “one of the great soul singers of all time,” while Roots drummer Questlove wrote, “Thank you, Roberta Flack. Rest in melody.”
Flack’s influence on music remains undeniable, with her timeless songs continuing to inspire generations of artists.
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