R&B pioneer Roberta Flack (88) passes away, leaving a legacy in soul music

The music industry lost one of its most distinctive and soulful voices today.

Roberta Flack, the legendary singer whose tender melodies have serenaded generations, has passed away.

Roberta Flack's voice was a soothing balm, a gentle force that could stir the deepest emotions with just a few notes.

Roberta Flack's publicist confirmed the news of her passing, which left fans and music industry giants to mourn the loss of an irreplaceable talent.

Flack was 88 years old and succumbed after a valiant battle with ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig's disease.

Born on 10 February 1937 in North Carolina, Flack's journey into music began early.

compressed-Roberta Flack.jpeg
Roberta Flack was a bonafide musician and educator. Image Credit: Britannica


She grew up in Virginia, where she started classical piano lessons at nine years old.

By the age of 15, she earned a full scholarship to Howard University in Washington, DC.

She honed her musical skills and became the assistant conductor of the university choir.


Tragedy struck with her father's passing in 1959, which prompted her return to North Carolina.

However, her passion for music drew her back to the scene.

A year after her homecoming, she embarked on a journey once again to be a music teacher in Washington, DC.

It was during this time that she began accompanying opera singers at the Tivoli Opera Restaurant in Georgetown, and she eventually started playing at various clubs in DC and a residency at Mr Henry's.

Flack's recording career began at the age of 32, which became a testament to her unwavering dedication to her craft.

Her breakthrough came when Clint Eastwood chose 'The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face' as a part of his movie's soundtrack, Play Misty For Me.


'The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face' catapulted Roberta Flack to stardom.

She won her first Grammy for Record of the Year in 1973 with the said single.

The following year, her rendition of Lori Lieberman's 'Killing Me Softly With His Song' landed her another Grammy for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance.

These songs showcased Roberta Flack's unique blend of soul, jazz, and folk influences, which listeners worldwide loved.

Watch Roberta Flack's live performance of 'Killing Me Softly With His Song' here:

Source: Rhino/YouTube

In 2020, the Recording Academy recognised her remarkable contributions to music with a Lifetime Achievement Award—a fitting tribute to an artist who had given so much to the world.

Roberta Flack's legacy was not just limited to the records she broke or the awards she won; it was in the way her music captured a moment, a feeling, and a memory.

More than a groundbreaking artist, Roberta Flack was also a proud educator who understood the power of music to inspire and teach.
Key Takeaways

  • Grammy-winning singer Roberta Flack passed away at the age of 88 after a long battle with ALS.
  • She was celebrated for timeless songs such as 'The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face' and her rendition of 'Killing Me Softly With His Song'.
  • Flack was a boundary-breaking artist and a proud educator, with her music career beginning after years of classical studies and teaching.
  • She was honoured with a Lifetime Achievement award by the Recording Academy in 2020.
Roberta Flack's music will continue to resonate, as it is a timeless reminder of her talent, grace, and the gentle power of song.

Let us come together to celebrate the life and artistry of a woman who, through her music, will forever be 'killing us softly'.
 

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Absolutely brilliant,such a shame she got a disease which made her unable to sing anymore. Sad was the same age as me
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) appears to be a relative of multiple sclerosis and homocystinuria with their similar symptoms and both hereditary.

I had an ex who suffered from both MS and homocystinuria.
 
  • Sad
Reactions: PattiB and magpie1
Sad day in the music industry....another legend has left us but thankfully her music remains for eternity.
R.I.P. Roberta Flack.🙏
 
  • Like
Reactions: Liag and PattiB
What a great artist this lady was i watch her live i think i was around 16yo at the time RIP Roberta
 

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