Roberta Flack, the legendary singer behind the classic “Killing Me Softly With His Song,” was one of the most recognisable voices of the 1970s.
Roberta Flack, the iconic American singer, songwriter, and pianist, passed away on 24 February 2025 at the age of 88.
Although the cause of her death has not been revealed yet, the influential pop and R&B star in recent years had lost her ability to sing because of a brain disease called Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS). She was diagnosed with ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, in 2018, which made it impossible for her to sing and difficult to speak.
Born on 10 February 1937 in Asheville, North Carolina, Flack began playing piano at nine years before proceeding to study music at Howard University. Her unique, soulful voice and genre-bending style, which blended jazz, soul, and folk, captivated audiences worldwide.
Flack’s remarkable career spanned over five decades, earning her numerous accolades, including four Grammy Awards. Her most notable hits include “The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face,” “Killing Me Softly With His Song,” and “Feel Like Makin’ Love.” Her music transcended generations, and she remained a beloved and respected figure in the entertainment industry.
Similarly, her contributions to music were recognised with multiple Grammy nominations and wins, including Record of the Year, which she won two years in a row (1973 & 1974), becoming the first artist ever to score the repeat win. Flack also won a lifetime achievement honour from the Recording Academy in 2020.
“It’s not the quantity of your creations that matters, but the quality and impact they have on others.” — Roberta Flack
Flack’s impact beyond music
Flack’s impact extended beyond her music. The beloved singer is the founder of the Roberta Flack School of Music at the Hyde Leadership Charter School in Bronx, New York. The music program offers educational initiatives to underserved students for free, RobertaFlack.com reports.
She also founded The Roberta Flack Foundation, which supports several aspiring creatives. The foundation also supports movements like Shelectricity, a tech community that empowers young girls and women, and filmmaker Carol Swainson’s International Peace and Art Center, which uses the arts to explore social justice issues.
Flack was also an advocate for social justice and women’s rights, using her platform to raise awareness and support for various causes.
As news of her passing spread, fans, fellow musicians, and industry leaders paid tribute to Flack’s enduring legacy. Her music will continue to inspire and influence future generations, cementing her place as one of the most iconic and beloved artists of our time.
