Roberta Flack, celebrated for her powerful voice and emotional depth, has died at the age of 88, leaving the world mourning the loss of a music legend.
Roberta Flack, Iconic R&B Singer, Passes Away at 88
Roberta Flack, Iconic R&B Singer, Passes Away at 88
Renowned for her timeless hits, Flack's extraordinary musical journey leaves a lasting legacy.
Roberta Flack, the legendary R&B artist famed for her classics 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 family announced her death this morning amidst great sadness, stating she "died peacefully." Flack's representatives acknowledged her as a groundbreaking artist and devoted educator who left an indelible mark on the music industry.
Flack had been battling motor neurone disease since revealing her diagnosis in 2022, which had prevented her from performing her beloved songs. Hailing from North Carolina and raised in Arlington, Virginia, she initially pursued a career as a classical pianist and music teacher before being discovered while singing in a jazz nightclub by Les McCann. He famously remarked that "her voice touched, tapped, trapped, and kicked every emotion I've ever known."
Flack's breakthrough came later in life when she recorded "The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face" — a song that gained immense popularity after being featured in Clint Eastwood's 1971 film "Play Misty For Me." This song earned her the Grammy Award for Song of the Year. She achieved this remarkable feat again the following year with "Killing Me Softly With His Song."
Her chart-topping success continued with "Feel Like Makin' Love" in 1974, after which Flack chose to step back from public performances to focus on recording and philanthropic endeavors. Throughout her illustrious career, she collaborated with numerous artists, including the renowned Donny Hathaway and jazz icon Miles Davis. In 2012, she released an album of Beatles covers, showcasing her diverse musical range.
In 2020, after overcoming a stroke, Flack received a lifetime achievement award from the Grammys. In her heartfelt acceptance speech, she expressed gratitude, sharing that her efforts throughout her career to narrate stories through her music had been heard and validated by her peers. Flack's profound contributions to music and her unwavering passion for storytelling through song will forever resonate, keeping her legacy alive in the hearts of fans worldwide.
Flack had been battling motor neurone disease since revealing her diagnosis in 2022, which had prevented her from performing her beloved songs. Hailing from North Carolina and raised in Arlington, Virginia, she initially pursued a career as a classical pianist and music teacher before being discovered while singing in a jazz nightclub by Les McCann. He famously remarked that "her voice touched, tapped, trapped, and kicked every emotion I've ever known."
Flack's breakthrough came later in life when she recorded "The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face" — a song that gained immense popularity after being featured in Clint Eastwood's 1971 film "Play Misty For Me." This song earned her the Grammy Award for Song of the Year. She achieved this remarkable feat again the following year with "Killing Me Softly With His Song."
Her chart-topping success continued with "Feel Like Makin' Love" in 1974, after which Flack chose to step back from public performances to focus on recording and philanthropic endeavors. Throughout her illustrious career, she collaborated with numerous artists, including the renowned Donny Hathaway and jazz icon Miles Davis. In 2012, she released an album of Beatles covers, showcasing her diverse musical range.
In 2020, after overcoming a stroke, Flack received a lifetime achievement award from the Grammys. In her heartfelt acceptance speech, she expressed gratitude, sharing that her efforts throughout her career to narrate stories through her music had been heard and validated by her peers. Flack's profound contributions to music and her unwavering passion for storytelling through song will forever resonate, keeping her legacy alive in the hearts of fans worldwide.
