Roberta Flack, one of the most iconic voices in R&B history, has passed away at the age of 88. Best known for her timeless hits The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face and Killing Me Softly with His Song, Flack’s death has left fans and the music world heartbroken. She died peacefully on February 24, 2025, surrounded by her family.
In a statement, her representatives confirmed her passing, saying, “We are heartbroken that the glorious Roberta Flack passed away this morning. She died peacefully surrounded by her family. Roberta broke boundaries and records. She was also a proud educator.”
Flack’s death comes after a long battle with motor neurone disease, which she publicly revealed in 2022. The condition, which affects nerve cells and leads to the progressive loss of muscle function, meant that Flack could no longer perform. However, her legacy in music and her impact on generations of listeners remain unparalleled.
Roberta Flack’s journey to stardom began in the most unlikely of places. Born in North Carolina on February 10, 1937, and raised in Arlington, Virginia, she initially trained as a classical pianist. A prodigy, Flack was awarded a full scholarship to Howard University at the age of just 15, where she continued her studies in classical music.
Despite her rigorous classical training, Flack’s musical interests were wide-ranging. She also enjoyed pop and rhythm and blues, and during her years at university, she would accompany opera singers on the piano at night, often singing pop songs during breaks. As she once shared, “The whole while I was studying classical music, especially in my younger years, I was also doing a lot of doo-ron-ron, shoo-doo-bee-doo, all of that stuff, with my peers, so I’ve been fortunate enough to be surrounded by music all of my life.”
Her unique background in classical music and popular genres would lay the foundation for her later success in R&B, soul, and jazz.
Flack’s recording career truly took off after she was discovered singing in a jazz club by musician Les McCann. McCann was so moved by her performance that he described her voice as one that “touched, tapped, trapped, and kicked every emotion I’ve ever known.”
However, Flack didn’t score her first big hit until she was in her 30s. Her breakout moment came in 1971 when her haunting rendition of The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face, written by Ewan MacColl, was used to soundtrack an explicit love scene in Clint Eastwood’s film Play Misty for Me. The song quickly became a massive hit, and it earned her the Grammy Award for Song of the Year in 1973.
Flack won the same prestigious award again the following year, this time for Killing Me Softly with His Song. The song, which became one of her most beloved hits, would go on to define her career. Both songs, known for their soulful delivery and emotional depth, established Flack as one of the leading voices in the world of R&B.
In the years following her initial success, Flack continued to release chart-topping songs, cementing her place in music history. In 1974, she released the hit Feel Like Makin’ Love, which became another major success. Despite her rising fame, Flack took a break from performing to focus on recording and charitable causes.
The 1980s saw Flack return to the stage and the studio, where she worked with musical legends like Donny Hathaway and Miles Davis. Her collaborations with such artists showcased her versatility and her ability to cross musical boundaries.
Flack’s ability to adapt to different genres, from soul and R&B to jazz and pop, ensured her continued relevance in the music world. In 1991, she returned to the charts with Set the Night to Music, a duet with Maxi Priest. This song became another hit, proving that Flack’s voice remained as powerful as ever.
In 2012, she released Let It Be Roberta, an album of Beatles covers that received widespread acclaim. Her rendition of Let It Be became a standout track, as it showed her unique ability to make any song her own.
Throughout her career, Roberta Flack was known for her soulful style and emotional delivery. In an interview with The Guardian, Flack explained her approach to music, saying, “What I consider myself is a soulful singer, in that I try to sing with all the feeling that I have in my body and my mind. A person with true soul is one who can take anybody’s song and transcend all the flaws, the technique and just make you listen.”
Her ability to connect with listeners on an emotional level was one of the key reasons why her music resonated with audiences across the world. Flack’s voice was not just beautiful, but it carried a depth of feeling that made every song she sang unforgettable.
Beyond her work as a performer, Roberta Flack was also a dedicated educator and advocate. She spent much of her time teaching music and mentoring young artists, particularly through the Roberta Flack School of Music in New York. Her devotion to nurturing new talent underscored her belief in the power of music to change lives.
Flack was also deeply committed to social issues and was known for her activism. Reverend Jesse Jackson once praised her, describing her as “socially relevant and politically unafraid.” Her music often touched on themes of love, justice, and humanity, and she used her platform to raise awareness about issues that mattered to her.
In 2020, one year after suffering a stroke, Flack was honoured with a Lifetime Achievement Award at the Grammy Awards. In her acceptance speech, she expressed her gratitude, saying, “It’s a tremendous and overwhelming honour. I’ve tried my entire career to tell stories through my music. This award is a validation to me that my peers heard my thoughts and took in what I have tried to give.”
Roberta Flack’s most famous song, Killing Me Softly with His Song, was introduced to a new generation of music fans when Lauryn Hill’s group, The Fugees, recorded a Grammy-winning cover in 1996. The Fugees’ version topped the charts around the world, and Flack performed the song on stage alongside them, passing the torch to a new generation of artists.
As the world mourns the loss of Roberta Flack, her legacy remains firmly intact. From her early days as a classical pianist to her rise as a global music icon, Flack’s contributions to music are immeasurable. Her voice, rich with emotion and soul, will continue to inspire and captivate listeners for years to come.
Her death is not just the end of an era, but the beginning of a lasting tribute to the woman whose songs will forever remain in our hearts.
