Roberta Flack, the celebrated soul and R&B icon behind hits like Killing Me Softly With His Song and The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face, has passed away at the age of 88. A statement from her spokesperson confirmed that she passed peacefully on February 24, 2025, surrounded by her family. The statement also acknowledged Flack’s impact on music, highlighting that she “broke boundaries and records” and was deeply committed to education.
Born in 1937 in Black Mountain, North Carolina, Flack grew up in a musical household. Her mother, Irene, was a church choir organist, which exposed her to both classical music and religious hymns from an early age. She began playing the piano at just nine years old and, by the age of 15, was awarded a full scholarship to Howard University, making her one of the youngest students in the history of the institution. Initially, she aspired to be an opera singer, but her career took a different turn when she started teaching music while performing in nightclubs on evenings and weekends.
Flack’s breakthrough came in 1968 when she secured a residency at Mr. Henry’s Restaurant in Washington, D.C., where her performances caught the attention of jazz pianist Les McCann, who introduced her to Atlantic Records. By early 1969, she had recorded her debut album, First Take, reportedly completing it in just 10 hours. The album showcased her ability to blend jazz, blues, folk, and pop, setting her apart in the music industry.
Although First Take received critical acclaim, it was not until 1971 that Flack’s career truly soared, as her rendition of Ewan MacColl’s folk ballad The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face was featured in Clint Eastwood’s film Play Misty for Me, leading to its rise as a major hit. The song spent six weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 and won a Grammy Award for Record of the Year in 1973. The following year, Flack made history as the first artist to win the same award two years in a row when Killing Me Softly With His Song earned her another Grammy. This feat was later matched only by U2 and Billie Eilish.
Throughout the 1970s, Flack continued her dominance on the charts, scoring another No. 1 hit with Feel Like Makin’ Love in 1974. She also developed a successful musical partnership with Donny Hathaway, producing classics such as Where Is the Love and The Closer I Get to You, both of which reached the U.S. Top 5. Even after Hathaway’s tragic death in 1979, their duet Back Together Again became a major hit in the UK.
In the 1980s, Flack collaborated with Peabo Bryson, achieving another smash hit with Tonight, I Celebrate My Love, which peaked at No. 2 in the UK charts. Bryson later paid tribute to Flack, calling her his “greatest inspiration.” Her influence extended across genres, as she performed with Michael Jackson, toured with Miles Davis, and covered songs by artists like Leonard Cohen and Laura Nyro.
Flack’s music helped shape the quiet storm subgenre of R&B, known for its smooth and sophisticated sound. This influence carried into the works of later artists such as Erykah Badu, D’Angelo, and The Fugees, whose 1996 rendition of Killing Me Softly introduced her music to a new generation. In 2012, Flack returned with Let It Be Roberta, an album of Beatles covers, demonstrating her continued versatility.
Beyond her musical legacy, Flack founded the Roberta Flack Foundation in 2010 to support education in music. Roberta once stated that she saw herself as a soulful singer, aiming to bring deep emotion into her performances. She believed that true soulfulness allowed an artist to transcend technical flaws and connect with listeners on a profound level.
In her later years, Flack’s health declined. She suffered a stroke that affected her ability to perform and was forced to step away from the stage. In 2018, she fell ill during a public appearance, prompting concerns about her well-being.
Flack was married to jazz musician Steve Novosel in 1966, but the couple divorced in 1972. A later marriage also ended in divorce.
Following her passing, tributes poured in from across the music industry. Jennifer Hudson described Flack as “one of the great soul singers of all time,” while Kelly Rowland reflected on how Flack’s music was part of the “soundtrack to the most tender moments” of her life. Julian Lennon and Sean Ono Lennon, sons of John Lennon, shared personal memories of Flack, noting that she had been a close family friend and neighbor.
Flack’s career spanned decades, influencing multiple generations of artists. Her unique ability to blend genres, her passionate delivery, and her groundbreaking achievements ensure that her legacy will endure for years to come.
