Roberta Flack, the iconic soul singer known for groundbreaking hits like “Killing Me Softly With His Song,” has passed away at the age of 88. Flack’s publicists confirmed her death this morning, February 24, citing her long battle with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, commonly referred to as ALS. Born in 1937 in Black Mountain, North Carolina, to musician parents, Flack was a prodigy on the piano. Her family later relocated to Arlington, Virginia, where she showcased her talents in church and quickly established herself as a gifted performer.
By the age of 15, Flack earned a scholarship to Howard University, making her one of the youngest students in the school’s history. At Howard, she not only excelled in her studies but also served as an assistant conductor for the choir and directed a production of the opera Aida. Flack described her early life as being deeply entrenched in classical music, noting in a 2020 interview that it was key to her ability to express her emotions through melody and harmony.
After college, Flack took on teaching jobs to support her family following her father’s passing while simultaneously accompanying opera singers in Washington, D.C. It was a residency at Mr. Henry’s Restaurant that shifted her career path toward pop music, leading to a recording contract with Atlantic Records. Her debut album, First Take, released in 1969, marked the start of a remarkable career filled with critically acclaimed albums that blended her classical training with the soulful depth of gospel.
Flack released a string of hits during the early 1970s, including “The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face,” “Killing Me Softly With His Song,” and “Feel Like Makin’ Love.” These songs not only earned her numerous accolades, including back-to-back Grammy Awards for Record of the Year, but also solidified her status as a pop music phenomenon.
Her impact on the music industry is immeasurable. Mentoring artists like Donny Hathaway and Luther Vandross, Flack’s influence can be heard in the works of modern music’s biggest stars, including Kanye West and the Fugees, introducing her timeless sound to new audiences. In 2006, she established the Roberta Flack School of Music in the Bronx and remained committed to humanitarian efforts throughout her life.
Flack released her final album, a tribute to The Beatles titled Let it Be Roberta, in 2012, and she received a Lifetime Achievement Grammy in 2020. Despite her ALS diagnosis being made public in 2022, four years after suffering a stroke during a performance at the Apollo Theater, Flack’s passion for music never wavered. Her manager remarked that while ALS presented challenges, it would take far more than this disease to silence the musical icon. Roberta Flack leaves behind a legacy of profound influence and unforgettable songs that will continue to resonate with fans around the world.
