Renowned R&B singer Roberta Flack, best 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 representatives confirmed the news in a statement, saying, “We are heartbroken that the glorious Roberta Flack passed away this morning, February 24, 2025. She died peacefully surrounded by her family. Roberta broke boundaries and records. She was also a proud educator.”
A Life Rooted in Music
Born in North Carolina and raised in Arlington, Virginia, Flack was a musical prodigy. She received a full scholarship to Howard University at just 15, studying classical piano before transitioning into teaching. However, her passion for music saw her performing in jazz clubs, where she was discovered by musician Les McCann.
Her breakthrough came in the early 1970s when 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 (1971). The song became a massive hit, earning her a Grammy for Song of the Year.
She continued her success with Killing Me Softly With His Song, which won her another Grammy for Song of the Year in 1974—making her the first artist to win the award consecutively.
A Career of Iconic Collaborations
Flack worked with some of music’s greatest talents, including Donny Hathaway, Miles Davis, and Maxi Priest. She scored several more hits, including Feel Like Makin’ Love, and later returned to the charts in 1991 with the duet Set the Night to Music with Maxi Priest.
In 2012, she released Let It Be Roberta, an album of Beatles covers, showcasing her versatility.
A Legacy That Transcends Generations
Flack’s influence extended beyond her own recordings. In 1996, her iconic song Killing Me Softly was reimagined by The Fugees, led by Lauryn Hill, and became a global hit. The group later performed the song alongside her, introducing her music to a new generation.
Her dedication to music extended into education. She established the Roberta Flack School of Music in New York, where she nurtured young talent.
Honors and Final Years
Despite facing health challenges, including a stroke in 2019 and a motor neurone disease diagnosis in 2022, Flack remained a revered figure in music. In 2020, she received a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award, calling it a “tremendous and overwhelming honor.”
Reverend Jesse Jackson once described her as “socially relevant and politically unafraid.”
Roberta Flack’s artistry, emotional depth, and ability to transcend genres have solidified her place as a legend in the music industry. Her voice, which touched millions, will continue to inspire generations to come.
