The world has lost a soulful luminary. Roberta Flack, the legendary R&B vocalist whose melodious voice delivered timeless classics like “Killing Me Softly with His Song” and “The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face,” passed away on February 24, 2025, at 88. Her death, confirmed by her publicist, comes after a courageous battle with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), a diagnosis she publicly shared in 2022.
Born on February 10, 1937, in Black Mountain, North Carolina, Flack’s early life was steeped in music. Her parents, both pianists, nurtured her natural talent, leading her to receive a full music scholarship to Howard University at the tender age of 15. Initially aspiring to be a classical pianist, Flack’s path shifted, and she found her true calling in the fusion of soul, jazz, and folk music.
Flack’s breakthrough came when Clint Eastwood featured her rendition of “The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face” in his 1971 film “Play Misty for Me.” The song soared to the top of the charts, earning her the Grammy Award for Record of the Year in 1973. She made history by winning the same award consecutively the following year with “Killing Me Softly with His Song,” a feat unparalleled until Billie Eilish achieved it in 2020 and 2021.
Throughout the 1970s and 1980s, Flack’s evocative voice graced numerous hits, including “Feel Like Makin’ Love” and memorable duets with Donny Hathaway like “Where Is the Love” and “The Closer I Get to You.” Her collaborations with Hathaway were particularly poignant, blending their voices in harmonious unity that resonated deeply with audiences.
Beyond her musical achievements, Flack was a trailblazer who broke barriers and set new standards in the music industry. Her sophisticated style and emotive delivery influenced countless artists across genres. In recognition of her monumental contributions, she was honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1999 and received a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 2020.
In her later years, even as ALS robbed her of the ability to sing, Flack’s passion for music education remained undiminished. She founded the Roberta Flack School of Music at the Hyde Leadership Charter School in the Bronx. She provided free music education to underprivileged students, ensuring her legacy would inspire future generations.
The news of her passing has elicited an outpouring of tributes from the music community and fans worldwide. Artists like Jennifer Hudson and Kelly Rowland have expressed their admiration, highlighting Flack’s unparalleled talent and her profound impact on their musical journeys.
Roberta Flack’s music, rich with soulful cadences and heartfelt melodies, will continue to inspire and move listeners, ensuring that her legacy endures in the records of music history.
