Roberta Flack – the Grammy-winning artist whose soulful voice defined a generation – has passed away at the age of 88.
Her publicist confirmed the heartbreaking news to Variety in a statement, saying: “We are heartbroken that the glorious Roberta Flack passed away this morning, February 24, 2025.
“She died peacefully surrounded by her family. Roberta broke boundaries and records. She was also a proud educator.”
No cause of death has been provided at this time.
The iconic singer is perhaps best known for her hits ‘Killing Me Softly with His Song’ and ‘The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face’.
A Trailblazer in Music
Born in Black Mountain, North Carolina, to a musically gifted family, Flack’s love for music began early. She was deeply influenced by gospel greats like Mahalia Jackson and Sam Cooke and started studying piano at just nine years old, per Variety.
Her extraordinary talent earned her a full scholarship to Howard University at 15, marking the beginning of a lifelong journey in music.
Despite her immense skill, mainstream success didn’t come immediately.
Her breakthrough moment arrived when Clint Eastwood used her 1969 song ‘The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face’ in his 1971 film Play Misty for Me.
The song quickly climbed the charts, becoming a No. 1 hit and earning her a Grammy for Record of the Year in 1973.
She followed up with another smash hit, ‘Killing Me Softly with His Song’, which also topped the charts and won back-to-back Grammys — an achievement unmatched until U2 accomplished the same feat in the early 2000s.
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A Legacy of Hits and Influence
Flack’s smooth, deeply emotive style led to a string of hits throughout the 1970s, including ‘Where Is the Love’, her chart-topping duet with Donny Hathaway.
Over her career, she amassed six top-10 pop hits and ten top-10 R&B singles, solidifying her place in music history.
Her 1973 rendition of ‘Killing Me Softly with His Song’ became one of her most enduring classics.
The song, originally recorded by Lori Lieberman, found new life in Flack’s hands. It went on to win Record of the Year and Best Female Pop Vocal Performance at the 1974 Grammy Awards and was later inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 1999.
The song’s legacy continued when The Fugees’ 1996 cover featuring Lauryn Hill introduced it to a new generation, once again topping the charts.
Throughout her career, Flack won four Grammys and was nominated for 13 in total, with her final nomination in 1995 for Roberta, a collection of classic standards.
Beyond her chart success, Flack remained dedicated to music education and advocacy. She was married to bassist Stephen Novosel until their divorce in 1972 and is survived by her son, musician Bernard Wright.
Flack’s contributions to music will remain timeless, as her voice and artistry continue to resonate with generations of listeners.
Our thoughts go out to her family, friends, and fans at this time.
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