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Roberta Flack, the legendary singer whose voice defined a generation with hits like Killing Me Softly With His Song and The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face, has died at the age of 88.
Her spokesperson confirmed the news in a statement: “We are heartbroken that the glorious Roberta Flack passed away this morning, February 24, 2025. She died peacefully, surrounded by her family. Roberta broke boundaries and records. She was also a proud educator.”
Flack’s music transcended genres, blending soul, jazz, pop, and classical influences. Her ability to evoke deep emotion made her one of the most revered artists in R&B history.
Born in 1937 in Black Mountain, North Carolina, Flack’s musical journey began early. A classically trained pianist, she earned a full scholarship to Howard University at just 15. Though she initially pursued opera, she soon found her calling in popular music, performing in Washington, D.C., nightclubs.
Her breakthrough came in 1969 with First Take, an album recorded in just 10 hours. But it wasn’t until 1972 that her career skyrocketed, thanks to The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face, which Clint Eastwood featured in his film Play Misty for Me. The song spent six weeks at No. 1, winning Flack the Grammy for Record of the Year.
She made history again the following year when Killing Me Softly With His Song won the same award, making her the first artist to achieve back-to-back Record of the Year wins. The track’s haunting lyrics and Flack’s soul-stirring delivery cemented its place in music history.
Flack’s collaborations also brought her widespread acclaim. She partnered with Donny Hathaway on Where Is the Love and The Closer I Get to You, and later with Peabo Bryson on Tonight, I Celebrate My Love. She even recorded with Michael Jackson and toured with Miles Davis.
Her influence extended beyond her own recordings. The Fugees’ 1996 cover of Killing Me Softly introduced her music to a new generation, proving the timelessness of her artistry.
In later years, Flack faced health challenges, suffering a stroke in 2016. Despite this, her legacy endured through her music and the artists she inspired.
Tributes have poured in from across the music world. Peabo Bryson called her an “iconic and divinely gifted artist,” while Jennifer Hudson hailed her as “one of the great soul singers of all time.”
Roberta Flack’s voice didn’t just sing— it spoke, it moved, it killed us softly. And though she is gone, her music will live forever.
Take a listen:
