Everything Music. Everything News. Everything live.

Legendary Singer Roberta Flack Dies Aged 88

Roland Godefroy, CC BY-SA 3.0 <http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/>, via Wikimedia Commons
Roland Godefroy, CC BY-SA 3.0 , via Wikimedia Commons

Renowned for her soulful interpretations and smooth vocal delivery, Roberta Flack, the Grammy-winning singer of “Killing Me Softly with His Song,” has passed away at the age of 88. The icon died peacefully surrounded by her family. Born on February 10, 1937, in Black Mountain, North Carolina, Flack was a musical prodigy from a young age and her undeniable talent secured her a scholarship to Howard University when she was just 15. Although she aspired to be a concert pianist, societal challenges in the classical music world led her to teach music and perform in local clubs where her unique sound blended jazz, soul, pop, and folk elements.

Her career took a monumental leap after Clint Eastwood featured her moving rendition of “The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face” in his 1971 film Play Misty for Me. This ballad not only topped the Billboard charts but also won her the Grammy for Record of the Year in 1973. Remarkably, she achieved this accolade for a second consecutive year with her timeless hit “Killing Me Softly with His Song,” making history as the first artist to win the award in consecutive years. This track, along with others like “Feel Like Makin' Love,” cemented her status as a powerhouse in the music industry throughout the 1970s.

Beyond her commercial success, Flack's contributions to music were acknowledged with multiple Grammys and a Lifetime Achievement Award. Her collaborations with artists like Donny Hathaway resulted in soulful duets such as “Where Is the Love” and “The Closer I Get to You,” both of which resonated deeply with audiences for their emotional depth and synergy between the artists. Her partnership with Hathaway was notably profound, both creatively and personally, ending tragically with his untimely death.

Despite personal challenges, including a stroke in 2016 and an ALS diagnosis in 2022, Flack's influence has remained vibrant in the music community. Her work was revisited and celebrated in the mid-1990s when the hip-hop group The Fugees revived “Killing Me Softly,” introducing her music to a new generation. Driven by her passion for teaching and her love for music, she established the Roberta Flack School of Music in New York, aiming to inspire young musicians between the ages of 6 to 14.

Flack's approach to music defied conventional genre boundaries. Her soundscape embraced rock, folk, jazz, classical, and Latin influences, challenging racial and musical norms of her time and paving the way for many artists. This fearless musical exploration made her an icon not only in the realm of quiet storm R&B but also in the broader cultural landscape. Her influence reached beyond her songs, as she contributed to social dialogues and civil rights movements, performing at significant events and befriending key figures like Jesse Jackson and Angela Davis.

Roberta Flack's legacy is built on her ability to transform and personalize songs with emotional honesty and clarity. Her storytelling approach ensured that listeners not only heard her music but deeply felt their narratives. Through her extensive repertoire and dedication to artistry, Flack has left an undeniable impact on the music world, and will be forever remembered for her timeless contributions.

Key Takeaways

Related Stories

Axl Rose, left, and Slash, of Guns N' Roses, perform on Thursday, Aug. 24, 2023, at Wrigley Field in Chicago. Guns N' Roses in concert at Wrigley Field in Chicago, Illinois, USA - 24 Aug 2023

Watch: Axl Rose Melts Down at Guns N’ Roses Concert in Buenos Aires

Axl Rose Loses His Cool on Stage Guns N’ Roses frontman Axl Rose shocked fans at a recent concert in…

UPDATED Illinois man arrested after allegedly impersonating Sammy Hagar

UPDATE: 3:36 PM 10/22/2025 Police in Mount Vernon, Illinois have been in touch with our newsroom and have shared that…

PETA Urges Robert Plant to Rebrand as “Robert Plant Wool”

What’s happening Animal rights organization PETA has made a pointed request to rock legend Robert Plant: temporarily adopt the name…

Bruce Watson and Luis Maldonado of Foreigner in concert during the Farewell Tour at The I Think Financial Amphitheater Foreigner in concert, West Palm Beach, Florida, USA - 08 Jul 2023

Foreigner and Lou Gramm Are Finishing “New” Music From the Vault

According to a recent interview with UltimateClassicRock.com, Foreigner and original singer Lou Gramm are back in the studio working together,…

David Gilmour Draws the Line: “I Will Never Perform with Roger Waters Again”

In a recent interview with The Guardian, Pink Floyd guitarist David Gilmour made one of his strongest public statements yet…

Remembering Ace Frehley: The “Spaceman” of Rock

A Memorial for Ace Frehley, A True Great Rock and Roller On October 16, 2025, the music world lost one…

Ace Frehley on Life Support: What We Know About the Reports

Ace Frehley, the legendary guitarist and founding member of KISS, is reportedly on life support after suffering a brain bleed…

Lou Gramm

Lou Gramm Announces Retirement From Touring After More Than 50 Years

Classic rock icon Lou Gramm, the unmistakable voice behind Foreigner hits like “I Want to Know What Love Is”, “Cold…

Carlos Santana Denies Bad Bunny Controversy, Blames “AI Hoax” for Fake Super Bowl Comments

Legendary guitarist Carlos Santana is pushing back against viral claims that he criticized Bad Bunny’s upcoming Super Bowl 2026 halftime…