Remembering Roberta Flack

The death of 85-year-old music legend Flack was the loss of a great singer who left behind an artistic legacy that broke the existing forms; and with all that emotional depth, it is still loved by people who live only for music such as myself even now. At this recollection, we remember her life, her work and the indelible impression on our hearts she has left through music.

The Voice that Touched Generations: An Homage to Roberta Flack If Like everyone else on earth, you’ve ever lost yourself in the soulful ”Killing Me Softly With His Song” or felt the timelessness and beauty of duet “Where Is the Love That Can’t Be Made To Song?" then magic visited Roberta Flack on earth through her music.

Who Was Roberta Flack?

Roberta Flack was more than a singer—she was a storyteller. Born on February 10, 1937, in Black Mountain, North Carolina, Flack grew up in a household filled with music. Her father was a jazz enthusiast, and her mother played the church organ, exposing young Roberta to gospel, jazz, and classical sounds. By age 9, she was playing piano by ear, and by 15, she earned a scholarship to study music at Howard University. This early training laid the foundation for her unique style, blending jazz, soul, and pop into something entirely her own.

Flack’s career began humbly. She worked as a music teacher while performing in Washington, D.C., clubs at night. Her big break came in 1969 when jazz musician Les McCann discovered her at a local gig. He famously said, “I was blown away—her voice was like liquid emotion.” This led to her signing with Atlantic Records and releasing her debut album, “First Take,” in 1972.

The Rise of a Legend: “First Take” and Global Fame

“First Take” didn’t just launch Flack’s career—it redefined soul music. The album included her haunting rendition of “The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face,” a folk song originally written by Ewan MacColl. Flack’s version, slow and dripping with raw emotion, became a global sensation after Clint Eastwood featured it in his 1971 film *Play Misty for Me. The song soared to No. 1 on the Billboard charts, stayed there for six weeks, and earned Flack her first Grammy Award in 1973.

But Flack wasn’t done yet. In 1973, she released “Killing Me Softly With His Song,” a track that would become her signature. Written by Charles Fox and Norman Gimbel, the song’s poetic lyrics and Flack’s velvet vocals struck a chord with listeners worldwide. It won her a second Grammy and cemented her status as a music icon.

Duets That Defined an Era: Roberta Flack & Donny Hathaway

One of Flack’s most enduring collaborations was with soul singer Donny Hathaway. Their partnership began in 1971 with “You’ve Got a Friend” and peaked with the 1972 duet “Where Is the Love.” The chemistry between them was electric—Flack’s smooth tone blended perfectly with Hathaway’s gritty sincerity. The duo won a Grammy for Best Pop Performance by a Duo, and their friendship deepened both on and off stage.

Tragically, Hathaway’s struggles with mental health led to his death in 1979. Flack was devastated but channeled her grief into music, later recording “The Closer I Get to You” as a tribute. The song became another hit, proving that even in loss, Flack’s artistry could heal and inspire.

Beyond the Music: Roberta Flack’s Quiet Activism

Flack’s influence wasn’t limited to music. She used her platform to advocate for education and civil rights. After teaching early in her career, she remained passionate about supporting young artists. In 2006, she founded the Roberta Flack School of Music in the Bronx, offering free lessons to underprivileged children. “Music saved my life,” she once said. “I want it to save others too.”

She also stood alongside civil rights leaders, performing at rallies and fundraisers. Her song “Compared to What” (from “First Take”) became an anthem for the anti-war and social justice movements of the 1970s.

Roberta Flack’s Later Years and Legacy

Even as trends shifted, Flack stayed relevant. She recorded albums into the 1990s and 2000s, experimenting with jazz, R&B, and even hip-hop influences. Her 1991 album “Set the Night to Music” featured a duet with Maxi Priest, and her music was frequently sampled by hip-hop artists like the Fugees, who covered “Killing Me Softly” in 1996.

Health challenges, including a stroke in 2016, slowed her down, but Flack never lost her passion. In 2022, she released “Running,” her first original song in over two decades, proving her voice remained as powerful as ever.

Why Roberta Flack’s Music Still Matters

Roberta Flack’s songs aren’t just relics of the past they’re timeless. Here’s why:

1. Emotional Honesty: Flack didn’t just sing lyrics; she lived them. Listen to “The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face,” and you’ll feel every ounce of longing in her voice.
2. Cross-Genre Appeal: Her music blends soul, jazz, pop, and folk, making it accessible to everyone.
3. Influence on Modern Artists: From Lauryn Hill to Alicia Keys, countless artists cite Flack as an inspiration.
4. Timeless Themes: Love, heartbreak, and hope never go out of style—and neither do her songs.

Final Notes: A Voice That Will Never Fade

Roberta Flack’s death marked the end of an era, but her music ensures she’ll never be forgotten. Whether you’re a lifelong fan or discovering her for the first time, her songs offer comfort, joy, and a connection to the human experience.

As we remember her, let’s take her own advice from “Killing Me Softly”: “Strumming my pain with his fingers, singing my life with his words.” Roberta Flack did exactly that for millions of us strumming our pains, joys, and hopes into melodies that will live forever.