Renowned singer Roberta Flack, known for timeless hits like Killing Me Softly with His Song and The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face, passed away on Monday at the age of 88.
A representative did not disclose the cause of death, but Flack had been battling amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) in recent years.
Flack rose to fame in the 1970s with her unique blend of soul, jazz, rock, and pop. She originally pursued a classical music career, earning a scholarship to Howard University at just 15. However, after facing barriers in the predominantly white classical music world, she turned to teaching and performing in clubs, which led to a contract with Atlantic Records.
Her breakthrough came in 1971 when Clint Eastwood featured her rendition of “The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face” in his film Play Misty for Me, propelling the song to No. 1 on the Billboard charts. She later won four Grammy Awards, including back-to-back Record of the Year honors for The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face (1973) and Killing Me Softly With His Song (1974)—a feat no other solo artist has matched.
Flack continued to shape the music industry, pioneering the “quiet storm” R&B genre and influencing the rise of neo-soul. She collaborated with artists like Donny Hathaway and Peabo Bryson, and remained active in music, film scoring, and education throughout her career.
In 2022, Flack revealed her ALS diagnosis, which limited her ability to sing. The following year, she co-authored a children’s book, The Green Piano: How Little Me Found Music, reflecting on her early love for music.
With a career that defied genre boundaries, Roberta Flack leaves behind a lasting legacy as one of music’s greatest interpreters, alongside legends like Frank Sinatra and Ella Fitzgerald.
“My main interest is in telling my story through a song—whether mine or someone else’s,” Flack once told NPR. “Tell the truth with clarity and honesty so that the listener can feel their story.”
