Roberta Flack, the legendary Grammy-winning singer known for classics such as Killing Me Softly With His Song and The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face, has died at the age of 88.
Her publicist confirmed her passing on Monday, stating that she died peacefully while surrounded by her family. No cause of death was given, though Flack had been diagnosed with ALS (also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease) in 2022, which had taken away her ability to sing.
Born Roberta Cleopatra Flack in Black Mountain, North Carolina, in 1937, she was raised in Arlington, Virginia, and began playing the piano at an early age. Her musical talent earned her a scholarship to Howard University at just 15 years old, setting her on a path to stardom.
She was discovered while performing in Washington, D.C., clubs and signed with Atlantic Records in the late 1960s. Her career skyrocketed after Clint Eastwood featured The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face in his 1971 film Play Misty for Me, propelling the song to the top of the charts and earning Flack a Grammy for Record of the Year in 1972.
The following year, she achieved an unprecedented feat by winning the same award again for Killing Me Softly With His Song, making her the first artist ever to win back-to-back Record of the Year Grammys. The song later gained a new generation of fans in 1996 when the Fugees, featuring Lauryn Hill, released a chart-topping cover.
Flack’s music was known for its smooth, soulful sound, and she played a key role in shaping the “quiet storm” radio format, which became a staple of R&B in the 1980s and 1990s. She also collaborated with fellow soul artist Donny Hathaway on beloved duets like Where Is the Love and The Closer I Get to You.
Beyond her music, Flack was an advocate for social justice and a close friend of civil rights leaders such as Reverend Jesse Jackson and Angela Davis. She performed at the funeral of baseball icon Jackie Robinson, Major League Baseball’s first Black player, and often incorporated themes of love and activism into her work.
Throughout her decades-long career, Flack received numerous accolades, including a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 2020. Her influence on music, particularly R&B and soul, remains profound, with her songs continuing to inspire artists across genres.
She leaves behind a rich musical legacy that will be cherished for generations to come.