//Roberta Flack, Legendary R&B Vocalist Behind ‘Killing Me Softly,’ Passes Away at 88//
Roberta Flack, the iconic singer whose soulful voice defined an era of R&B and pop music, has passed away at the age of 88. Her representative confirmed the news in a heartfelt statement, noting that Flack died peacefully, surrounded by her family.Legendary pop/R&B vocalist Roberta Flack, who was launched to stardom in the early ’70s by the Grammy-winning hits “The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face” and “Killing Me Softly With His Song,” has died, according to a statement from her rep. No cause of death was cited; she was 88.
“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.”
Flack’s music career took off in the early 1970s when her hauntingly beautiful rendition of The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face became a No. 1 hit, thanks to its inclusion in Clint Eastwood’s film Play Misty for Me. That success was soon followed by her signature song, Killing Me Softly With His Song, which cemented her place in music history and earned her a Grammy Award for Record of the Year in 1974.
A Career of Unparalleled Influence...............................................
Born in Black Mountain, North Carolina, Roberta Flack grew up in a musically inclined family. She was deeply inspired by gospel legends like Mahalia Jackson and Sam Cooke. A child prodigy, she began playing the piano at age nine and earned a full scholarship to Howard University at just 15 years old. Though she initially pursued classical music, fate led her to the world of jazz, R&B, and soul.
Flack’s breakthrough came in 1969 with her debut album, First Take, produced by Joel Dorn. Though initially overlooked, the album shot to the top of the charts after The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face became a cultural phenomenon. The song spent five weeks at No. 1 and won the Grammy Award for Record of the Year in 1973.
Shortly after, Flack continued her dominance with Killing Me Softly With His Song, a track inspired by singer Lori Lieberman’s reaction to a Don McLean performance. Flack’s smooth, velvety rendition made the song an instant classic, topping the Billboard Hot 100 and earning her a second consecutive Grammy for Record of the Year in 1974. This remarkable feat would not be repeated until U2 achieved the same in 2001-2002.
A Legacy of Timeless Music....................................................
Throughout the 1970s, Flack continued to enchant listeners with hits such as Where Is the Love (a duet with Donny Hathaway), Feel Like Making Love, and The Closer I Get to You. Her collaborations with Hathaway were particularly beloved, though their partnership was tragically cut short by his untimely passing in 1979. Their posthumously released duet, Back Together Again, became a heartfelt tribute to their musical bond.
As musical trends shifted in the 1980s, Flack adapted, collaborating with Peabo Bryson on Tonight, I Celebrate My Love and later recording Set the Night to Music with Maxi Priest in 1991. Though she gradually stepped away from the limelight, her impact remained indelible.
Flack’s influence extended beyond her own discography. Her songs were covered and sampled by artists across generations, most notably in 1996 when The Fugees’ version of Killing Me Softly became a massive hit, introducing her music to a new audience.
An Educator and Trailblazer...................................................
Beyond her contributions to music, Flack was a passionate advocate for education. She spent time teaching in Washington, D.C., before her career took off, and she remained dedicated to music education throughout her life. She also championed numerous philanthropic efforts, particularly those focused on arts education and children’s literacy.
Her final album, Let It Be Roberta, a tribute to The Beatles, was released in 2012. Though she stepped away from recording in her later years, her influence endured, and she continued to receive accolades, including her induction into the Grammy Hall of Fame.
Flack was predeceased by her son, Bernard Wright, in 2022. She leaves behind a legacy of unparalleled artistry and a catalog of timeless music that will continue to inspire generations to come.
A Farewell to a Legend.....................................................................
Roberta Flack’s passing marks the end of an era for R&B and soul music. Her voice, often described as a gentle yet powerful force, resonated deeply with listeners worldwide. She leaves behind a body of work that will forever be cherished.
As the world mourns the loss of this extraordinary artist, we also celebrate the life and career of a woman who redefined the boundaries of music. Through her timeless melodies and heartfelt performances, Roberta Flack will continue to sing on, her voice forever woven into the fabric of music history.
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