Roberta Flack Will Always Kill Us Softly

Roberta Flack, the celebrated singer and pianist renowned for her soulful interpretations and emotive performances, passed away on February 24, 2025, at the age of 88. Born on February 10, 1937, in Black Mountain, North Carolina, Flack’s prodigious talent led her to a music scholarship at Howard University at just 15 years old. Initially aspiring to be a classical pianist, she transitioned to vocal performance, captivating audiences with her unique blend of soul, jazz, and folk influences.

Flack’s career gained significant momentum in the early 1970s. Her rendition of “The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face,” originally featured on her 1969 album First Take, caught the attention of actor and director Clint Eastwood. Eastwood selected the song for a pivotal love scene in his 1971 directorial debut, Play Misty for Me. This exposure propelled the track to the top of the Billboard Hot 100 chart, where it remained for six consecutive weeks in 1972. The song’s success earned Flack the Grammy Award for Record of the Year in 1973.

Demonstrating her remarkable artistry, Flack achieved the unprecedented feat of winning the Grammy Award for Record of the Year in consecutive years. In 1974, she received the honor for her soulful performance of “Killing Me Softly with His Song,” further solidifying her status as a leading figure in the music industry.

Throughout her illustrious career, Flack was known for her collaborations, most notably with Donny Hathaway. The duo produced several hits, including the Grammy-winning “Where Is the Love” in 1972 and “The Closer I Get to You” in 1978. Their musical partnership showcased a profound synergy, blending their voices in harmonious unity.

In later years, Flack faced health challenges, including a diagnosis of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) in 2022, which led her to retire from public performances. Despite these challenges, her passion for music and commitment to education remained unwavering. Flack’s legacy endures through her timeless recordings and the profound impact she had on the landscape of American music.