Roberta Flack, the legendary Grammy-winning singer and pianist whose hits like “Killing Me Softly with His Song” and “The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face” defined the 1970s and left a lasting impact, passed away Monday at 88. She died at home surrounded by her family, her publicist confirmed. In 2022, Flack revealed that she had been diagnosed with ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, which eventually took her ability to sing.
Before hitting her 30s, Flack was relatively unknown, but that all changed when Clint Eastwood used The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face in a romantic scene in his 1971 film Play Misty for Me. The song, with Flack’s smooth, emotional soprano paired with soft strings and piano, went on to top the Billboard pop charts in 1972 and earned her a Grammy for Record of the Year. She followed up that success in 1973 with Killing Me Softly, becoming the first artist ever to win consecutive Grammys for Best Record.
Flack, a classically trained pianist, was discovered in the late 1960s by jazz musician Les McCann, who once said, “her voice touched, tapped, trapped, and kicked every emotion I’ve ever known.” Though versatile, Flack’s approach was often more reflective and thoughtful, setting her apart from other vocalists like Aretha Franklin.
Beyond her music, Flack became a powerful voice in the social and civil rights movements. She was close friends with Rev. Jesse Jackson and Angela Davis, even visiting Davis in prison during the trial that ultimately acquitted her. Flack also sang at Jackie Robinson’s funeral and participated in Marlo Thomas’ feminist children’s project Free to Be … You and Me.
Born in Black Mountain, North Carolina, and raised in Arlington, Virginia, Flack was a musical prodigy. At 15, she earned a full scholarship to Howard University, and her talent as a pianist quickly became evident. Flack’s hits from the 1970s include the soulful Feel Like Makin’ Love and the famous duets with her friend Donny Hathaway, “Where Is the Love” and “The Closer I Get to You.” Sadly, their partnership ended in tragedy when Hathaway passed away in 1979.
Though she never quite matched the height of her early career, Flack continued to make music throughout the decades. She had hits in the 1980s with Tonight, I Celebrate My Love and a duet with Maxi Priest in the 1990s. Her 1996 collaboration with the Fugees, who covered Killing Me Softly, brought her back into the spotlight.
Over her career, Flack won five Grammys (three for Killing Me Softly) and earned a Lifetime Achievement Grammy in 2020. She was praised by artists like John Legend and Ariana Grande, and in 2022, Beyoncé honored her in the Queens Remix of Break My Soul, mentioning her alongside icons like Aretha Franklin and Diana Ross.
Flack, who had a brief marriage to Stephen Novosel, also lived in Manhattan’s famed Dakota building, where she became close friends with John Lennon and Yoko Ono. She was also dedicated to the Roberta Flack School of Music in New York, which focused on students aged 6 to 14.
A gifted educator, Flack taught music in D.C.-area junior high schools before starting her own performing career. Her debut album, First Take, came out in 1969 and featured a mix of gospel, soul, flamenco, and jazz, including her haunting rendition of The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face—a song that would go on to define her career.
Her influence on music and culture will never be forgotten.
