Roberta Flack: The Voice That Killed Me Softly Departs at Age 88
Roberta Flack, renowned for iconic hits like “The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face” and “Killing Me Softly With His Song,” passed away peacefully at age 88 on February 24, 2025. Her representatives issued a heartfelt statement expressing their grief: “We are heartbroken that the glorious Roberta Flack passed away this morning.” The beloved singer had previously disclosed her diagnosis of motor neurone disease in 2022 and announced she could no longer perform.
Flack’s journey began in North Carolina, where she was born, and continued to Arlington, Virginia. She started as a classical pianist but gained acclaim for blending various musical styles. At just 15 years old, Flack secured a full scholarship to Howard University for her music studies. While pursuing classical training, which influenced her education career later on, she honed her skills by accompanying opera singers and singing pop standards during breaks.
Her recording career took off unexpectedly when musician Les McCann discovered her performing in a jazz club. He noted that “her voice touched, tapped, trapped, and kicked every emotion I’ve ever known.” Despite this recognition early on, Flack didn’t achieve mainstream success until she was 30 years old. Her song “The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face,” used as the soundtrack to Clint Eastwood’s film Play Misty for Me, earned her a Grammy award in 1972 and became an instant hit. The following year, Flack claimed another top honor with “Killing Me Softly With His Song.”
In the mid-1970s, she continued to dominate the charts with hits like “Feel Like Makin’ Love.” After a hiatus from performing, Flack focused on recording and charitable causes. Throughout her career, she collaborated with notable artists such as Donny Hathaway and Miles Davis. In 1991, Flack returned to the spotlight with “Set the Night to Music,” a duet with Maxi Priest.
Reflecting on her approach to music, Flack once told The Guardian that she considered herself a soulful singer: “I try to sing with all the feeling that I have in my body and my mind. A person with true soul is one who can take anybody’s song and transcend all the flaws, the technique and just make you listen.” This philosophy was evident throughout her diverse catalog of work.
After marrying Stephen Novosel, a US jazz musician, Flack dedicated herself to education by establishing the Roberta Flack School of Music in New York. She was also recognized for her activism; Reverend Jesse Jackson once praised her as “socially relevant and politically unafraid.” In 2020, following a stroke, she received a lifetime achievement award from the Grammys, which she described as an overwhelming honor that validated her career efforts.
Flack’s impact on music transcended generations. When Lauryn Hill and The Fugees recorded their Grammy-winning version of “Killing Me Softly,” they introduced the song to new audiences worldwide in 1996. Flack herself was moved by this tribute and performed alongside the group at various events.
Roberta Flack’s life and music continue to inspire fans around the globe, marking her as a true pioneer of soulful R&B who touched hearts with every note she sang. Her legacy will live on through both her groundbreaking hits and her contributions to education and activism.
