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"Legendary Soul and R&B Artist Roberta Flack Passes Away at 88, Leaving Behind a Lasting Musical Legacy" 🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾

Roberta Flack, the legendary American singer whose soulful voice brought us timeless hits like "Killing Me Softly With His Song," passed away at the age of 88 on February 24, 2025. Her spokesperson shared the sad news, saying, “We’re devastated to lose the incredible Roberta Flack this morning. She left us peacefully, surrounded by her loved ones. Roberta was a trailblazer who shattered barriers and set records, all while being a dedicated educator.”

With her elegant charm and a voice that could weave through genres—blending soul, R&B, classical, and more—Flack captured the full spectrum of love’s joys and sorrows. Many regard her as one of the greatest artists in soul and R&B history.

Born in 1937 in Black Mountain, North Carolina, Flack grew up in a musical household. Her mother, Irene, played organ for their church choir, immersing young Roberta in gospel and classical sounds. She started piano lessons at nine, and by 15, her talent earned her a full scholarship to Howard University—one of the youngest students ever accepted there.

At 19, fresh out of Howard, Flack dreamed of singing opera but instead took a teaching job in North Carolina. On the side, she gigged at nightclubs, mixing classical, blues, folk, Motown, and pop into her performances. Her skill soon won her steady bookings around Washington, D.C., and in 1968, a residency at Mr. Henry’s Restaurant convinced her to leave teaching behind for music full-time.

That same year, she met soul-jazz artist Les McCann, who connected her with Atlantic Records. In 1969, she recorded her debut album, *First Take*, in a whirlwind 10-hour session. The album reflected her Mr. Henry’s days, showcasing the diverse songs she’d perfected there. McCann later wrote in the album’s notes, “Her voice hit me in every way—made me laugh, cry, and beg for more.”

Her big break came in 1971 when her cover of Ewan MacColl’s "The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face" featured in Clint Eastwood’s *Play Misty for Me*. It soared to No. 1 in 1972, staying there for six weeks and winning a Grammy for Record of the Year in 1973. The next year, "Killing Me Softly With His Song" repeated the feat, making Flack the first artist to win that Grammy two years running—a record later matched by U2 and Billie Eilish. In 1974, she also topped the charts with "Feel Like Makin’ Love."

During this period, Flack teamed up with soul icon Donny Hathaway, creating hits like "Where Is the Love" and "The Closer I Get to You," both Top 5 smashes. After Hathaway’s death in 1979, their duet "Back Together Again" hit No. 3 in the UK in 1980. Her biggest UK success came in 1983 with Peabo Bryson on "Tonight, I Celebrate My Love," peaking at No. 2.

Flack’s career was marked by her unique ability to blend styles and work with legends like Michael Jackson, Miles Davis, and Leonard Cohen. She helped shape "quiet storm," a mellow, introspective R&B subgenre that influenced artists like Erykah Badu and the Fugees—whose own "Killing Me Softly" became a modern classic. In 2012, she paid tribute to The Beatles with her album *Let It Be Roberta*.

Reflecting on her craft, Flack once said, “I see myself as a soulful singer. I pour every ounce of feeling I’ve got into a song. True

🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾🥲 True Legend