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Roberta Flack, the Grammy-winning singer and pianist known for timeless hits like Killing Me Softly with His Song and The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face, has passed away at the age of 88. She died peacefully at home, surrounded by family, as confirmed by her publicist Elaine Schock.
A Life Filled with Music and Influence
Born in Black Mountain, North Carolina, Flack was a classically trained pianist who earned a scholarship to Howard University at just 15 years old. She was discovered in the late 1960s by jazz musician Les McCann and quickly rose to fame when her song The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face was featured in Clint Eastwood’s 1971 film Play Misty for Me. The song topped the Billboard charts in 1972 and earned her a Grammy for Record of the Year.
Flack made history in 1973 by becoming the first artist to win consecutive Grammy Awards for Record of the Year with Killing Me Softly with His Song, solidifying her status as one of the most influential vocalists of the era.
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A Career of Unmatched Excellence
Throughout the 1970s, Flack dominated the music charts with hits such as Feel Like Makin’ Love and duets with Donny Hathaway, including Where Is the Love and The Closer I Get to You. Although tragedy struck in 1979 with Hathaway’s untimely passing, Flack continued to create music that resonated across generations.
Her music remained relevant in later decades, with the Fugees’ Grammy-winning 1996 cover of Killing Me Softly introducing her artistry to a new audience. She continued collaborating with artists such as Peabo Bryson and Maxi Priest, earning five Grammys and a Lifetime Achievement Award in 2020.
Beyond Music: A Legacy of Advocacy and Education
Flack was not just a singer but a cultural and civil rights advocate. She supported movements led by figures such as Jesse Jackson and Angela Davis, performed at Jackie Robinson’s funeral, and contributed to the feminist children’s project Free to Be… You and Me.
Her passion for music education led to the establishment of the Roberta Flack School of Music in New York, where she nurtured young talents.
Remembering an Icon
In 2022, Flack revealed her ALS diagnosis, which forced her to step away from singing. Despite her health struggles, her impact remained profound, with artists like John Legend and Beyoncé acknowledging her as a musical pioneer.
Roberta Flack’s legacy is one of elegance, emotional depth, and groundbreaking achievements. Her music will continue to inspire generations to come. — BBC