Renowned soul singer Roberta Flack, a Grammy Award winner celebrated for her soulful renditions of romantic ballads such as "Killing Me Softly With His Song," her esteemed collaborations, and her fervent social activism, has passed away, according to a statement released by her publicist. She was 88 years old. Flack peacefully breathed her last on Monday, embraced by her loved ones at her home, as confirmed by her publicist, Elaine Schock, to CNN. Her demise came after years of battling health issues, most notably a public diagnosis of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, in late 2022. This debilitating condition ultimately robbed her of her iconic voice, as shared by her representatives at the time.
Yet, Flack had already etched her indelible mark as one of the most defining voices of her era – both as an interpreter of timeless melodies and a composer of heartfelt tunes. Her extraordinary career saw her amass an array of chart-topping hits and accolades: the classically trained daughter of a church organist garnered 14 Grammy nominations, winning five, including a prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award in 2020, and consecutive Record of the Year honors.
Questlove, the drumming virtuoso of The Roots, musical director for "The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon," and an acclaimed filmmaker, paid a heartfelt tribute to Flack with a nostalgic photo of the late legend, captioning it, "Thank You Roberta Flack. Rest In Melody."
Hailing from Black Mountain, North Carolina, and nurtured in Arlington, Virginia, Flack's journey with music began early, receiving rigorous classical training from her childhood years, commencing piano lessons at the tender age of nine. By fifteen, her exceptional talent earned her a scholarship to Howard University, where she graduated in 1958 with a Bachelor's degree in music education.
Flack briefly taught music and harbored dreams of pursuing a career in classical music, only to encounter a resistant industry in the 1960s. "One of the challenges of being a Black female musician is the constant pressure to conform and sing soul," she once confided to TIME. "I am a serious artist. I feel a deep connection with luminaries like Arthur Rubinstein and Glenn Gould. If I cannot play Bartók when I desire to, then nothing else truly matters."
A voice teacher, recognizing Flack's potential, urged her to embark on a journey in pop music. Obliging this advice, Flack spent countless nights and weekends performing in the vibrant clubs of Washington, DC, until fate beckoned one evening at Mr. Henry’s. It was there, under the glow of stage lights, that she caught the attention of jazz musician Les McCann. He became her guiding light, facilitating an audition with Atlantic Records, where she reportedly belted out over 40 songs across three hours. Decades later, reminiscing with Philadelphia Weekly, she said, "I was a bundle of nerves and joy, and I still am. It was all a novel experience; perhaps I sang too many songs, but it was worth it."
Her maiden album, "First Take," saw the light of day in 1969, featuring her soulful rendition of "The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face," penned by folk legend Ewan MacColl. This track propelled Flack to stardom when Clint Eastwood chose it for his 1971 film, "Play Misty for Me." The following year, it soared to the pinnacle of the Billboard Hot 100, where it reigned for six weeks, and also garnered her the Record of the Year award at the 1973 Grammy Awards.
By then, Flack had solidified her status with "Chapter Two," her sophomore album, alongside "Quiet Fire" and a collaborative effort with Donny Hathaway, who became a cherished partner until his untimely demise in 1979. Their duet, "Where Is the Love," fetched them another Grammy in 1973.
In the same year, Flack enchanted listeners with "Killing Me Softly," highlighted by the title track, "Killing Me Softly with His Song" – another chart-topper that dominated the Billboard charts for five weeks. This masterpiece earned her two more Grammys in 1974: Record of the Year and Best Pop Vocal Performance by a Female Artist.
Throughout her career, Flack interpreted a diverse range of artists, from Leonard Cohen to The Beatles. By her fifth solo album, "Feel Like Makin’ Love," she assumed the producer's role – a position predominantly occupied by men in a male-dominated industry – adopting the moniker Rubina Flake, her alter ego.
Although her most iconic tunes might be love songs, Flack never shied away from tackling complex societal issues. She addressed racial injustice in "Tryin’ Times," social and economic inequality in "Compared to What," and acknowledged the struggles of the LGBTQ community in her version of "Ballad of the Sad Young Men." Reverend Jesse Jackson hailed Flack as "socially relevant and politically unafraid," according to her website. However, as she aged, she expressed disappointment that many of the issues she sang about as a musician were still prevalent. "I'm deeply saddened that songs I recorded 50 years ago about civil rights, equal rights, poverty, hunger, and suffering in our society are still relevant in 2020," she told AARP in 2020, acknowledging the timeless connections in her music to contemporary challenges.
This enduring legacy has inspired younger artists like Lauryn Hill and the Fugees, who released their acclaimed version of "Killing Me Softly" in 1996, along with Lizzo, Lady Gaga, and Ariana Grande. Whether through protest, romance, or classics, Flack approached each theme with authenticity. "Every single song I've recorded has expressed something deep and personal to me," she shared with NPR music journalist Ann Powers in 2020. "Each was my sole focus, whether in the studio or on stage."
