Legendary soul and R&B singer Roberta Flack, best known for hits like Killing Me Softly With His Song and The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face, has died at the age of 88.
A statement from her spokesperson confirmed her passing on February 24, 2025. “We are heartbroken that the glorious Roberta Flack passed away this morning,” the statement read. “She died peacefully surrounded by her family. Roberta broke boundaries and records. She was also a proud educator.”
Flack’s career spanned decades, blending soul, jazz, R&B, folk, and classical music to create timeless songs that touched millions worldwide. Her rich voice, deep emotional delivery, and genre-defying approach made her one of the most celebrated artists of her time.
A Musical Prodigy from a Young Age
Born in Black Mountain, North Carolina, in 1937, Flack was raised in a musical family. Her mother, Irene, was a church choir organist, which exposed her to gospel and classical music from an early age.
By the age of nine, she had already begun playing the piano, and at just 15, she earned a full scholarship to Howard University, making her one of the youngest students ever admitted. Though she initially aspired to be an opera singer, her career took a different path when she started performing in nightclubs while working as a teacher in North Carolina.
Rise to Stardom
Flack’s breakthrough came in 1968, when she secured a regular performance spot at Mr. Henry’s Restaurant in Washington, D.C. There, she was discovered by soul jazz pianist Les McCann, who introduced her to Atlantic Records.
In 1969, she recorded her debut album, First Take, in just 10 hours. The album featured her signature mix of blues, folk, soul, and classical influences, earning critical praise.
However, it wasn’t until 1971 Flack’s career skyrocketed. Her rendition of Ewan MacColl’s The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face was featured in Clint Eastwood’s film Play Misty for Me. The song became a No. 1 hit, spending six weeks at the top of the Billboard Hot 100 and earning her a Grammy Award for Record of the Year in 1973.
In 1974, she made history by winning another Grammy for Record of the Year with Killing Me Softly With His Song, making her the first artist to win the award two years in a row—a feat later matched only by U2 and Billie Eilish.
She continued her success with Feel Like Makin’ Love in 1974, which became another No. 1 hit.
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Collaboration with Donny Hathaway and Others
Flack’s duets with soul singer Donny Hathaway produced some of the most memorable R&B songs of the 1970s. Their hit songs, Where Is the Love and The Closer I Get to You, both reached the US Top 5, with the latter becoming a wedding favorite.
Tragically, Hathaway died in 1979, but their collaboration continued posthumously with Back Together Again, which became a UK Top 3 hit in 1980.
Flack also collaborated with Peabo Bryson, with whom she recorded Tonight, I Celebrate My Love, a ballad that peaked at No. 2 in the UK in 1983.
A Lasting Influence on Music
Beyond her own chart-topping success, Flack’s impact stretched across multiple generations. She worked with Michael Jackson, toured with Miles Davis, and even covered songs by Leonard Cohen and The Beatles.
Her music helped shape the Quiet Storm genre—a smooth, soulful subgenre of R&B that later influenced Erykah Badu, D’Angelo, and the Fugees. The latter famously covered Killing Me Softly in 1996, introducing a new generation to Flack’s music.
In 2012, she released Let It Be Roberta, an album of Beatles covers, showcasing her ability to reinvent classics in her unique style.
Flack on Her Legacy
Reflecting on her career, Flack once said, “What I consider myself is a soulful singer. I try to sing with all the feeling that I have in my body and my mind. A person with a true soul is one who can take anybody’s song and make you listen.”
Her ability to connect with listeners through raw emotion set her apart and made her one of the most beloved voices in R&B and soul.
Flack faced health challenges in her later years. She suffered a stroke some years ago, which affected her ability to perform. In 2018, she became unwell on stage, prompting concern among her fans. Despite these struggles, her music continued to inspire and resonate with audiences worldwide.
Tributes Pour In
Following news of her passing, tributes from fellow musicians and fans flooded in.
Oscar-winning singer and actress Jennifer Hudson wrote, “She was one of the great soul singers of all time. Rest well, Ms. Flack. Your legacy lives on.”
Her influence on music is immeasurable, and her songs will continue to touch hearts for generations to come.
Roberta Flack leaves behind a legacy of timeless music, emotional depth, and a voice that spoke to the joy and pain of love. Her contributions to soul and R&B will forever be remembered.