Roberta Flack, the legendary soul singer known for her timeless ballads and profound influence on music such as “Killing Me Softly With His Song,” as well as her professional collaborations and activism, has passed away at the age of 88. Flack’s publicist, Elaine Schock, confirmed she died peacefully at home on Monday, surrounded by her family.

Flack had been battling health issues in recent years, including a public diagnosis of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) in 2022. The disease ultimately took away her ability to sing, but her impact on the music industry remained undeniable.

Born in Black Mountain, North Carolina, and raised in Arlington, Virginia, Flack’s journey into music began early. A classically trained pianist, she started lessons at age nine and later earned a scholarship to Howard University, where she graduated in 1958 with a degree in music education.

While she initially aspired to be a classical musician, Flack found the genre unwelcoming to Black female artists. A voice teacher encouraged her to explore popular music, which led her to perform in Washington, D.C. clubs. One night at Mr. Henry’s, jazz musician Les McCann discovered her talent and arranged an audition with Atlantic Records, during which she reportedly performed over 40 songs in a three-hour session.

Her debut album, First Take (1969), showcased her incredible artistry, but it was her rendition of The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face—featured in Clint Eastwood’s Play Misty for Me (1971)—that catapulted her to stardom. The song topped the Billboard Hot 100 for six weeks and earned Flack her first Grammy for Record of the Year in 1973.

Flack continued her success with hits like Killing Me Softly with His Song (1973), which spent five weeks at No. 1 and won her another two Grammy Awards. She also collaborated frequently with Donny Hathaway, winning a Grammy for Where Is the Love in 1973. Her album Feel Like Makin’ Love (1974) cemented her reputation, making her the first artist to win back-to-back Record of the Year Grammys.

Flack’s influence extended far beyond her own discography. Artists like Lauryn Hill, the Fugees, Lady Gaga, and Lizzo have drawn inspiration from her work. The Fugees’ 1996 rendition of Killing Me Softly introduced her music to a new generation, proving her timeless appeal.

Despite her ALS diagnosis, Flack’s passion for music never waned. “Every single song I’ve recorded expressed something deep and personal to me,” she told NPR in 2020. “Each was my singular focus whether in the studio or on the stage.”

Her legacy as a pioneering artist, a fearless advocate, and a voice that transcended generations will live on. Roberta Flack may be gone, but her melodies will continue to touch hearts around the world.

Source: CNN Entertainment