Roberta Flack: The Iconic Voice Behind "Killing Me Softly" Passes Away at 88

Roberta Flack, the legendary singer known for her soulful voice and timeless hits, has passed away at the age of 88. Her music, which blended soul, jazz, rock, and pop, made her one of the most beloved artists of the 1970s and beyond.

A Musical Prodigy

Born with an extraordinary talent, Flack received a scholarship to Howard University at just 15 years old. Initially, she aspired to be a concert pianist, dreaming of playing works by classical composers like Schumann, Bach, and Chopin. However, during the late 1950s, the classical music world was not welcoming to Black artists, and her teachers discouraged her from pursuing that path.

After graduating, Flack became a teacher in North Carolina and Washington, D.C. But her passion for music never faded. She started performing in clubs as both a pianist and a singer. It wasn’t long before her incredible talent caught the attention of musicians, leading her to sign a contract with Atlantic Records.

Rise to Fame

In 1969, Flack released her debut album, First Take, which performed well. However, it was her guest appearance on The Third Bill Cosby Special in 1970 that she credited as the biggest break of her career. A year later, her rendition of The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face was featured in Clint Eastwood’s film Play Misty For Me. This exposure skyrocketed her popularity, and the song became a massive hit.

Throughout the 1970s, Flack continued to release a string of successful albums, including Chapter Two, Quiet Fire, Killing Me Softly, and Feel Like Makin’ Love. Her collaboration with Donny Hathaway on a duet album also became a fan favorite.

In 1971, DownBeat Magazine named her the best female vocalist of the year, breaking Ella Fitzgerald’s 18-year streak. Flack went on to receive eight Grammy nominations, winning four. She remains the only solo artist to win Record of the Year at the Grammys two years in a row: first in 1973 for The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face and again in 1974 for Killing Me Softly With His Song.

Overcoming Challenges and Redefining Music

Despite her immense success, critics didn’t always appreciate Flack’s work. During the 1970s, the music industry valued singer-songwriters over performers who primarily interpreted other people's songs. However, Flack proved that a great singer could make any song uniquely their own. Music experts place her alongside legends like Frank Sinatra and Ella Fitzgerald for her ability to bring deep emotion and originality to every song she sang.

During the mid-1970s, Flack slowed down her studio work to focus on other musical endeavors. She worked on film and TV scores, engaged in music publishing and record production, and even pursued graduate studies in education and linguistics. She returned with Blue Lights in the Basement in 1977 and continued to release albums through the early 2000s, including collaborations with Peabo Bryson and another album with Hathaway.

Battling Health Issues

Flack remained active in the music world, performing globally even as she faced health challenges. In 2022, she revealed that she had been diagnosed with ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis), also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease. The illness made it difficult for her to sing and perform.

In 2023, she released a children’s book titled The Green Piano: How Little Me Found Music, co-written with Tonya Bolden. The book was inspired by her childhood experience of learning music on a piano that her father had restored.

A Lasting Legacy

Roberta Flack’s influence on music is undeniable. She helped shape the "quiet storm" R&B genre and paved the way for future neo-soul artists. Her music blended rock, folk, jazz, classical, and Latin influences, breaking racial and genre barriers in the industry.

Reflecting on her career, Flack once said, "My main interest is in telling my story through a song—whether mine or someone else’s. Tell the truth with clarity and honesty so that the listener can feel their story."

Her voice, her passion, and her legacy will continue to inspire generations of artists and music lovers worldwide.