Roberta Flack, Iconic R&B Singer, Passes Away at 88

In a career spanning decades, Flack broke musical and social barriers while inspiring generations through her soulful music and commitment to education.

Roberta Flack, the legendary R&B singer celebrated for timeless classics such as "The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face" and "Killing Me Softly With His Song," has passed away at the age of 88. A statement released by her representatives confirmed her death this morning, stating that she "died peacefully surrounded by her family" on February 24, 2025. A true pioneer in the music industry, Flack's artistry not only broke records but also paved the way for future generations of musicians.

Flack had bravely announced in 2022 that she was battling motor neurone disease, a condition that ultimately led to her inability to sing. Born in North Carolina and raised in Arlington, Virginia, Flack’s journey began as a classical pianist. She was awarded a full scholarship to Howard University at just 15 years old. While excelling in classical music, she secretly nurtured her love for pop and rhythm and blues, often performing alongside opera singers while teaching piano.

Her recording career took flight after being discovered in a jazz club by musician Les McCann, who once remarked that "her voice touched, tapped, trapped, and kicked every emotion I've ever known." However, it was not until her 30s that she achieved her first major hit with "The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face," which gained immense acclaim when featured in Clint Eastwood’s 1971 film "Play Misty For Me." This iconic track earned her a Grammy award for Song of the Year, with Flack claiming the prestigious honor again the following year for "Killing Me Softly With His Song."

Continuing her legacy, Flack returned to the limelight in 1991 with a duet called "Set the Night to Music" alongside Maxi Priest, while also branching into contemporary sounds with her Beatles covers album, "Let It Be Roberta," released in 2012.

Flack's passion for music encompassed more than just performance; she also dedicated considerable time to her educational initiative, the Roberta Flack School of Music in New York. Public figures such as Reverend Jesse Jackson praised her as "socially relevant and politically unafraid," reflecting her influence beyond the stage.

Her most famous song experienced a resurgence when the Fugees released a Grammy-winning cover of "Killing Me Softly" in 1996, introducing her music to a new generation. Flack’s enduring legacy in the music world is underscored by her commitment to storytelling through song, a mission she felt validated when receiving a lifetime achievement award from the Grammys in 2020.