The music world mourns the loss of legendary pop and R&B vocalist Roberta Flack, who died at the age of 88. Known for her Grammy-winning hits “The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face” and “Killing Me Softly With His Song,” Flack’s passing was confirmed in a statement from her representative. The statement noted she "died peacefully surrounded by her family," but did not specify a cause of death.
Roberta Flack, a classically trained singer and pianist, found fame when Clint Eastwood featured her song “The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face” in his 1971 film "Play Misty for Me." This song became a No. 1 pop hit, followed by another chart-topping success in 1973 with “Killing Me Softly.” Both songs won Grammys for Record of the Year, a remarkable achievement not repeated until U2's wins in 2001-02.
Flack's peak came with the 1974 hit “Where Is the Love,” which topped both the pop and R&B charts. Throughout her career, she secured six top-10 pop hits and 10 top-10 R&B singles, often collaborating with vocalist Donny Hathaway. Her unique style was lauded in “The Rough Guide to Soul and R&B,” where Peter Shapiro described her as "the perfect soul act of the early ’70s."
Although her chart success waned by the late '70s, Flack continued to produce music into the new millennium. Her last album, "Let It Be Roberta," a Beatles tribute, was released in 2012. Flack's influence extended beyond her music as she was also a proud educator, breaking boundaries and setting records throughout her career.
Born in Black Mountain, N.C., Flack was inspired by gospel legends like Mahalia Jackson and Sam Cooke. A musical prodigy, she began studying piano at age 9 and entered Howard University on a full scholarship at 15. Her career breakthrough came after jazz pianist Les McCann discovered her in a D.C. nightclub, leading to her signing with Atlantic Records in 1968.
Flack's debut album "First Take" featured “The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face,” which became a pop phenomenon after its inclusion in "Play Misty for Me." Her collaborations with Hathaway produced hits like “Where Is the Love,” winning a Grammy for best pop vocal performance by a duo. Her iconic “Killing Me Softly” earned her another Grammy and was later covered by The Fugees, reaching No. 1 on the R&B chart.
Flack continued to chart hits into the '70s with songs like “Feel Like Making Love” and “The Closer I Get to You.” Her partnership with Peabo Bryson brought another top hit, “Tonight, I Celebrate My Love,” in 1983. Although her sound lost popularity with the rise of funk and hip-hop, she remained a respected artist, receiving her last Grammy nomination in 1995.
Roberta Flack was divorced from Stephen Novosel in 1972 and is survived by her son, musician Bernard Wright. Her legacy as a trailblazing artist and educator continues to resonate within the music industry and beyond.
