Grammy-winning singer Roberta Flack dies at 88: Roberta Flack, the legendary Grammy-winning singer and pianist, has passed away at the age of 88. She was known for her intimate and soulful voice, with hits like “Killing Me Softly with His Song” and “The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face” forever etching her place in music history. Her style, blending smooth vocals and precise piano, helped solidify her as one of the defining recording artists of the 1970s. Even after her peak years, Flack remained an influential figure in the music world.
She passed away peacefully at home, surrounded by family, her publicist Elaine Schock confirmed. In 2022, Flack publicly shared her diagnosis of ALS (Lou Gehrig’s disease), a condition that had taken away her ability to sing, but never her love for music.
For most of her early life, Flack remained largely unknown. But in her early 30s, she became an overnight sensation after Clint Eastwood selected her song, “The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face,” for a pivotal scene in his 1971 film Play Misty for Me. The scene—an unforgettable, raw, and tender moment between Eastwood and actress Donna Mills—was enhanced by Flack’s beautiful, haunting voice. That song became a massive hit, topping the Billboard charts in 1972, and earned her the Grammy for Record of the Year. A year later, she achieved the unprecedented feat of winning consecutive Grammys for Best Record with “Killing Me Softly,” cementing her place in musical history.
Flack was a classically trained pianist, and it was in the late 1960s when she was discovered by jazz musician Les McCann. He described her voice as something extraordinary, one that “touched, tapped, trapped, and kicked every emotion I’ve ever known.” This deep emotional connection she created with her listeners is what made her music resonate far beyond just the notes and lyrics. There was always something more—an honesty and vulnerability. She didn’t just perform; she made you feel. It’s this deeply human connection that is so often lacking in today’s fast-paced world, where so much is produced in the pursuit of speed.
Beyond her musical genius, Flack’s role in the social and civil rights movements of her time also stands out. She was not just a performer, but a voice for change and equality. Her activism was deeply personal—she was friends with prominent figures like Rev. Jesse Jackson and Angela Davis, who was facing charges of murder and kidnapping at the time (charges from which she was later acquitted). Flack’s commitment to justice extended to her public life, such as singing at the funeral of Jackie Robinson, Major League Baseball’s first Black player, and performing for Free to Be … You and Me, Marlo Thomas’s groundbreaking feminist children’s entertainment project.
Born Roberta Cleopatra Flack in Black Mountain, North Carolina, she was raised in Arlington, Virginia. Her early passion for gospel music led her to develop remarkable skills as a pianist. So gifted was she that by the age of 15, she had received a full scholarship to attend Howard University, a historically Black institution. It’s a testament to the power of dedication and perseverance in pursuing one’s dreams—a theme that runs deeply through her life’s work.
Flack’s contributions to the music world didn’t stop with solo performances. Some of her best-known tracks from the 1970s include the warm, sensual “Feel Like Makin’ Love,” and duets with her close friend Donny Hathaway, like “Where Is the Love” and “The Closer I Get to You.” The deep bond between Flack and Hathaway was undeniable, but tragically, it was cut short when Hathaway died in 1979 under devastating circumstances. The two were in the midst of recording an album of duets when Hathaway, battling his own mental health struggles, fell from his hotel room that night.
Looking at her legacy, Flack’s work transcends the era in which she was most prominent. In today’s world, productivity often centers around speed and efficiency. But Flack’s career teaches us a different lesson. True productivity, when done right, isn’t about how fast we can churn out work, but about creating something lasting—something that can touch the hearts of others. In her own words, Roberta Flack once said that music should be “a reflection of your soul.” It’s this commitment to authentic, purposeful artistry that made her a beloved figure, whose influence remains felt even today.
Her passing is a reminder that great art, like great productivity, isn’t born out of pressure but out of patience, commitment, and the desire to connect. It’s a lesson we could all use in a world that often values speed over substance.