Roberta Flack, Grammy-winning singer, dies at 88: Remembering the voice behind the single ‘Killing Me Softly With His Song’

Grammy-winning singer Roberta Flack, considered one of the most influential recording artists of the 1970s, passed away on Monday at the age of 88.

Flack took her last breath at home, surrounded by her family, her publicist Elaine Schock told The Associated Press.

In 2022, it was announced that Flack had been diagnosed with ALS, commonly known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, which left her unable to sing.

Who was Roberta Flack?

Flack was widely regarded as a soulful and versatile artist, known for her ability to perform across a broad range of musical styles. She was particularly famous for her single ‘Killing Me Softly With His Song.’

Born in 1937 in Black Mountain, North Carolina, Flack was introduced to music at a young age. Her mother, Irene, was a church choir organist, which exposed her to both religious and classical music.

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She began learning the piano at the age of nine and, at 15, received a full scholarship to study music at Howard University—making her one of the youngest students ever admitted to the institution, The Guardian reported.

Early career

After graduating from Howard University at 19, Flack became a teacher in North Carolina. She aspired to be an opera singer and performed in nightclubs after work and on weekends.

Her voice soon made her a familiar name at Washington, D.C.’s prime music venues.

In the late 1960s, singer Les McCann helped her secure a contract with Atlantic Records, leading to the release of her debut album, ‘First Take.’

Although she remained relatively unknown before her early 30s, Flack shot to fame overnight when ‘The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face’ was featured in a love scene in Clint Eastwood’s 1971 film ‘Play Misty for Me,’ which also starred Donna Mills.

The song topped several charts in 1972 and won a Grammy Award for Record of the Year.

‘Killing Me Softly With His Song’ brought her another Grammy in 1974, making her the first artist to win the award in two consecutive years.

She also collaborated with Donny Hathaway on hits like ‘Where Is The Love’ and ‘The Closer I Get To You.’

During her lifetime, Flack worked with several major artists, including Michael Jackson, Miles Davis, Leonard Cohen, and Laura Nyro.

In 2012, she released an album of Beatles covers titled ‘Let It Be Roberta.’ However, in 2018, she fell unwell on stage, and her manager later revealed that she had suffered a stroke some time earlier.

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Flack married jazz musician Steve Novosel in 1966, but their marriage ended in 1972.

FAQs

1. How many Grammy Awards did Roberta Flack win in her lifetime?
She won five Grammy Awards and received eight additional nominations. In 2020, she was honoured with a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award.

2. What are Roberta Flack’s most famous songs?
She is best known for singles such as ‘Killing Me Softly With His Song’ and ‘Where Is The Love’.