On February 24, 2025, the music world lost a true legend.

Roberta Flack, the celebrated singer, and pianist, passed away at the age of 88.

Known for her timeless hits like Killing Me Softly With His Song and The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face, Flack’s influence on the music industry spanned decades.

A Heartfelt Goodbye

Flack’s representatives confirmed her passing, sharing that she died peacefully surrounded by her family.

While they didn’t disclose a cause of death, they expressed deep sorrow in a statement.

“We are heartbroken that the glorious Roberta Flack passed away this morning,” the statement read.

“She broke boundaries and records and was a proud educator.”

Flack had bravely shared her ALS diagnosis in 2022, revealing that the disease had taken away her ability to sing.

A Groundbreaking Career

Flack was a pioneer of the 1970s R&B scene, known for her intimate, soothing voice that could captivate listeners.

Her musical style and vocal delivery made her one of the most influential performers of her time.

She rose to fame quickly, thanks in part to Clint Eastwood’s choice to feature The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face in his 1971 film Play Misty for Me.

The song, with its soft strings and Flack’s graceful soprano, became a chart-topping hit in 1972 and earned her a Grammy for Record of the Year.

In 1973, she made history by winning back-to-back Grammys for Best Record, this time for Killing Me Softly With His Song.

That track cemented her status as an artist who could evoke deep emotion through her performances.

Partnerships, Triumphs, and Tragedies

Flack’s music resonated deeply with audiences throughout the 1970s.

Hits like Feel Like Makin’ Love and Where Is the Love (a duet with her close friend and former Howard University classmate Donny Hathaway) further solidified her place in music history.

Tragically, Hathaway’s death in 1979 marked a painful chapter in her life and career, as he died after a breakdown during the recording of their final duets.

Though she didn’t replicate the same level of success in later years, Flack continued to create beautiful music.

In the 1980s, she found success with her duet Tonight, I Celebrate My Love alongside Peabo Bryson, and in the 1990s, she made a comeback with Set the Night to Music, a collaboration with Maxi Priest.

Lasting Influence and Recognition

In the mid-90s, Flack gained a new generation of fans when the Fugees released a Grammy-winning cover of Killing Me Softly.

The collaboration between Flack and the hip-hop group even saw her performing with them on stage.

Over the years, Flack earned five Grammys, including three for Killing Me Softly, and a Lifetime Achievement Grammy in 2020.

In an interview that same year, Flack shared her profound connection to other artists, emphasizing how music served as a universal language.

“Through music, we understand what we are thinking and feeling,” she said.

“No matter what challenge life presents, I am at home with my piano, on a stage, with my band, in the studio, listening to music.

I can find my way when I hear music.”

Flack’s influence will continue to live on, not just through her music but through the generations of artists and fans she inspired.

This article was published on TDPel Media. Thanks for reading!

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