Roberta Flack, the legendary R&B singer known for timeless hits like The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face and Killing Me Softly With His Song, has passed away at the age of 88.
Her death was confirmed in a statement from her representatives, who expressed deep sorrow over the loss of the celebrated artist. “We are heartbroken that the glorious Roberta Flack passed away this morning, February 24, 2025,” the statement read.
“She died peacefully, surrounded by her family. Roberta broke boundaries and records. She was also a proud educator.”
Flack had previously shared her struggles with motor neurone disease, a diagnosis she revealed in 2022. The illness had robbed her of her ability to sing, a tragic twist for an artist whose voice had captivated millions over the decades.
Despite this, her impact on music remained indelible, and her influence continued to be felt across generations.
Born in North Carolina and raised in Arlington, Virginia, Flack showed musical brilliance from a young age. Her journey began as a classical pianist, a path that led her to a full scholarship at Howard University at just 15 years old.
While her classical training was rigorous, she remained deeply connected to popular music. “The whole while I was studying classical music, especially in my younger years, I was also doing a lot of doo-ron-ron, shoo-doo-bee-doo, all of that stuff, with my peers,” she once explained.
“So I’ve been fortunate enough to be surrounded by music all of my life, the Bach and the Chopin and the Schumann on one hand, and all the rhythm and blues.”
Though she initially pursued a teaching career, Flack’s passion for performing never faded. She played piano for opera singers during their breaks at nightclubs and slowly built a reputation in the Washington, D.C. jazz scene.
It was during one of these performances that musician Les McCann discovered her. He later recalled, “Her voice touched, tapped, trapped, and kicked every emotion I’ve ever known.”
This discovery led to her first recording contract, setting the stage for her remarkable career.
Despite her undeniable talent, mainstream success did not come immediately. Flack was in her 30s when she finally scored her first major hit.
Her haunting rendition of Ewan MacColl’s The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face gained widespread recognition after it was featured in Clint Eastwood’s 1971 film Play Misty for Me.
The song became an instant sensation, winning the Grammy for Song of the Year and propelling Flack to international stardom.
The following year, she repeated this extraordinary achievement, winning another Grammy for Killing Me Softly With His Song.
The song, inspired by singer Lori Lieberman’s experience at a Don McLean concert, became one of Flack’s defining records.
Her ethereal yet deeply emotive voice turned it into a classic, cementing her status as one of the greatest R&B vocalists of all time.
Flack continued her dominance in the mid-1970s, topping the charts again with Feel Like Makin’ Love in 1974.
However, after this success, she chose to take a step back from live performances to focus on recording and philanthropy.
This period allowed her to collaborate with an array of talented musicians, including the legendary Donny Hathaway, with whom she recorded several celebrated duets.
Throughout the 1980s, Flack remained active in the music industry, spending much of the decade touring and recording. She collaborated with jazz great Miles Davis and continued to explore new sounds.
Then, in 1991, she made a remarkable return to the charts with Set the Night to Music, a duet with British reggae singer Maxi Priest.
The song was well received, proving that Flack’s artistry remained as compelling as ever.
In 2012, Flack paid homage to one of the most influential bands in music history by releasing Let It Be Roberta, an album dedicated to reinterpreting Beatles classics.
Her ability to take songs from different genres and make them her own was a testament to her unique vocal style and deep musical intelligence.
Beyond her music, Flack was a devoted educator. She poured much of her energy into mentoring young artists and supporting music education.
She founded the Roberta Flack School of Music in New York, a program designed to provide underprivileged children with access to quality musical training.
This dedication to education was a reflection of her belief that music was not just entertainment but a tool for empowerment and transformation.
Flack’s work extended beyond music into social and political activism. Reverend Jesse Jackson once described her as “socially relevant and politically unafraid,” a sentiment that rang true throughout her career.
She used her platform to advocate for civil rights, equality, and education, ensuring that her legacy was not just about music but also about making a difference in the world.
In 2020, a year after suffering a stroke, Flack was honored with a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award.
Reflecting on this recognition, she expressed gratitude, saying, “It’s a tremendous and overwhelming honor. I’ve tried my entire career to tell stories through my music. This award is a validation to me that my peers heard my thoughts and took in what I have tried to give.”
Flack’s influence transcended generations. Her music was introduced to a new audience when Lauryn Hill and The Fugees recorded a hip-hop-influenced version of Killing Me Softly, which became a global hit in 1996.
The song topped charts worldwide and remains one of the most celebrated covers of all time. Flack even joined The Fugees on stage to perform the song, a powerful moment that connected two different eras of music.
As the world mourns Roberta Flack, her legacy endures through the countless artists she inspired and the timeless music she left behind.
Her voice, filled with warmth, soul, and emotional depth, will continue to resonate for generations to come.
Flack was more than just an R&B singer—she was a storyteller, an innovator, and a true musical icon.
