Renowned singer and pianist Roberta Flack, best known for her soulful hits like Killing Me Softly with His Song and The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face, has passed away.
Flack, whose distinctive vocal style made her a leading recording artist of the 1970s, died on Monday at the age of 88, according to CBS.
In a statement, her publicist expressed deep sorrow over her passing:
“We are heartbroken to share that the incredible Roberta Flack left us this morning, February 24, 2025. She passed away peacefully, surrounded by loved ones. Roberta was not only a groundbreaking artist but also a dedicated educator.”
While the cause of death was not disclosed, Flack had been battling ALS since 2022.
Born Roberta Cleopatra Flack on February 10, 1937, in Black Mountain, North Carolina, she was raised in Arlington, Virginia. Her musical journey began early, inspired by her mother, a church organist. She sang in various churches, including the historic Lomax African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church, simply for the love of music.
A gifted pianist, Flack started playing at the age of nine and demonstrated such exceptional talent that Howard University awarded her a full music scholarship while she was still a teenager. She graduated at 19 and went on to teach music in Washington, D.C.
Flack’s career took off when she started performing in clubs during evenings and weekends, initially accompanying opera singers and later embracing blues, folk, and pop. Encouraged by her voice teacher, Frederick “Wilkie” Wilkerson, she transitioned from classical music to pop. In 1968, she gained recognition performing at Mr. Henry’s Restaurant on Capitol Hill, setting the stage for her legendary career.