Legendary songstress Roberta Flack, the voice behind “Killing Me Softly With His Song” and “The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face,” has passed away at 88, her publicist confirmed.
A true icon of the 1970s, Flack left an indelible mark on music history, enchanting audiences with her velvety vocals and soul-stirring ballads. She took her final bow on Monday, surrounded by loved ones.
YOU MAY ALSO LIKE: Tupac Murder Suspect Trial Postponed To February 2026
Diagnosed with motor neurone disease (MND) in 2022, Flack had already bid farewell to her singing voice, but her influence continued to echo through generations. From humble beginnings as a classically trained pianist to the heights of superstardom, her journey was nothing short of remarkable.
Roberta Flack Moved From Schoolteacher to Superstar
Before she was gracing the Grammy stage, Flack was a high-school teacher with a knack for keeping her students engaged—sometimes with a little help from The Supremes! But destiny had grander plans.
Discovered in the late ’60s by jazz musician Les McCann, Flack’s life changed forever when Clint Eastwood handpicked her song “The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face” for his 1971 film Play Misty for Me. The track soared to No. 1, and a Grammy soon followed.
Just a year later, Flack made history, winning back-to-back Record of the Year Grammys—an unprecedented feat—when “Killing Me Softly” took the crown. Her distinctive voice “touched, tapped, trapped, and kicked every emotion I’ve ever known,” McCann once said, and the world agreed.
Friend to Legends, Pioneer of Soul
Flack’s presence transcended music; she was deeply entwined in the social and civil rights movements of the time. A close friend of Angela Davis and Reverend Jesse Jackson, she even visited Davis in prison and performed at Jackie Robinson’s funeral.
Rubbing shoulders with legends, she called John Lennon and Yoko Ono neighbours at The Dakota, later honouring The Beatles with a tribute album.
Tragedy struck in 1979 when Roberta Flack musical soulmate, Donny Hathaway, fell to his death in Manhattan while they were recording a duet album.
Though heartbreak marked her personal and professional life, Flack persevered, delivering hits like “Tonight, I Celebrate My Love” with Peabo Bryson and even sharing the stage with The Fugees when they reimagined her classic “Killing Me Softly” in the ’90s.
With five Grammys to her name—including a Lifetime Achievement Award in 2020—Roberta Flack’s influence remains undeniable.
Contemporary stars like Beyoncé, John Legend, and Ariana Grande have paid homage, ensuring her voice will never fade. Roberta Cleopatra Flack, a name synonymous with elegance and emotion, may have left this world, but her music will forever sing on.
Kindly follow @surgezircuk on Instagram. On X (Twitter), follow @surgezircuk.
Why you can trust SurgeZirc UK. Learn more about our editorial standards.
