Roberta Flack’s debut album included her evergreen cover of Ewan MacColl’s folk standard The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face. Photo: Getty Images
Renowned pop and R&B singer Roberta Flack, celebrated for hits like ‘The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face’ and ‘Killing Me Softly With His Song’, has passed away at the age of 88. Her representative confirmed the news, stating that she died peacefully surrounded by family. The cause of death has not been disclosed.
"Roberta broke boundaries and records," the statement read. "She was also a proud educator."
From Classical Training to Stardom
Flack, a classically trained pianist, rose to fame unexpectedly when Clint Eastwood featured her song The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face in his 1971 film Play Misty for Me. The song became a No. 1 hit, earning her the first of two consecutive Grammy Awards for Record of the Year. The following year, she achieved the same honor with Killing Me Softly With His Song, a feat later matched only by U2 in 2001-02.
Her smooth, soulful style led to six Top 10 pop hits and 10 Top 10 R&B singles, often in collaboration with Donny Hathaway. Their duet Where Is the Love topped both the pop and R&B charts in 1974.
Musical Journey and Lasting Legacy
Born in Black Mountain, North Carolina, Roberta Flack was deeply influenced by gospel legends Mahalia Jackson and Sam Cooke. She displayed exceptional musical talent from a young age, earning a scholarship to Howard University at just 15. After briefly working as a teacher, she transitioned into nightclub performances, leading to a breakthrough discovery by jazz pianist Les McCann, who helped her secure a record deal with Atlantic Records in 1968.
Her debut album First Take initially went unnoticed, but after The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face became a hit, the album soared to No. 1 for five weeks. She continued to dominate the charts with songs like Feel Like Making Love and The Closer I Get to You with Hathaway.
Tragedy struck in 1979 when Hathaway died by suicide, cutting short one of R&B’s most beloved duos. Flack later collaborated with Peabo Bryson on Tonight, I Celebrate My Love, which became a major hit in 1983.
A Career That Transcended Generations
Flack’s influence extended beyond the '70s. In 1996, The Fugees’ cover of Killing Me Softly featuring Lauryn Hill introduced her legacy to a new audience, becoming a No. 1 hit once again.
Though her mainstream popularity waned in the late '70s, she continued recording into the 2000s. Her final album, Let It Be Roberta, a tribute to The Beatles, was released in 2012. Over her career, she earned 13 Grammy nominations and won multiple awards.
Remembering a Trailblazer
Flack, who divorced Stephen Novosel in 1972, was predeceased by her son Bernard Wright, who passed away in 2022.
Though a legendary voice is silenced, Her timeless music and unparalleled artistry will continue to inspire generations.
