Grammy Award-winning singer Roberta Flack dies aged 88

Grammy Award-winning singer Roberta Flack passed away on February 24, 2025, at the age of 88. She became one of the most outstanding recording artists of the late 20th century with her intimate vocals and musical style. Ms. Flack's passing is a great loss to the music world, and her work will continue to influence and inspire generations to come.

Flack rose to fame with her songs "The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face" and "Killing Me Softly With His Song," both of which topped the charts in the 1970s. These songs were not only instant hits but also established her position in the music industry, becoming her signature works. They showcased her unique ability to connect with audiences through heartfelt melodies and poignant lyrics.

"We are deeply saddened to announce that the luminous Roberta Flack passed away this morning, February 24, 2025," her publicist Elaine Schock said in a statement. "She passed away peacefully at home surrounded by family. Roberta broke boundaries and records. She was also a proud educator." Ms. Flack's contributions extended beyond music; she was also a dedicated advocate for education, believing in its power to transform lives.

Flack revealed in November 2022 that she had been diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig's disease, and could no longer sing. ALS is a progressive disease that affects nerve cells, leading to paralysis and death. This diagnosis brought a devastating end to her musical career, preventing her from sharing her gift with the world.

Roberta Flack was born on February 10, 1937, in Black Mountain, North Carolina. She came from a musical family and was one of four children. After working as a schoolteacher, she began singing in local clubs. American jazz musician Les McCann heard her sing at Mr. Henry's club in Washington and helped her sign with Atlantic Records. Flack began studying piano at a young age and received a full scholarship to Howard University, majoring in music. She blended elements of jazz, soul, pop, and R&B to create a unique style and became one of America's most influential singers.

This classically trained pianist broke the boundaries of musical genres. The singer won four Grammy Awards, produced 20 studio albums, and received a Lifetime Achievement Award in 2020. She was the first artist to win Record of the Year for two consecutive years, for "The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face" in 1973 and "Killing Me Softly with His Song" in 1974. NPR said of Flack in 2020, "In her more than half-century career, she has established herself as one of popular music's most distinctive song stylists." While she wrote some of her own songs and collaborated with others, she considered herself an interpreter of music, breathing new life into existing compositions.