Roberta Flack, Grammy-Winning Singer, Dies at 88
Written by Site Hub on February 24, 2025
Roberta Flack, the iconic singer and pianist known for her intimate vocal style, passed away at 88. Flack, who had ALS, rose to fame in the 1970s with hits like The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face and Killing Me Softly with His Song, making history as the first artist to win back-to-back Grammy Awards for Record of the Year.
A classically trained musician, Flack was discovered by jazz artist Les McCann and became known for her soulful, poetic ballads. She was also an advocate for civil rights, forming close ties with figures like Angela Davis and Jesse Jackson.
Flack’s duets with Donny Hathaway, including Where Is the Love and The Closer I Get to You, became soul classics. She later found success with Tonight, I Celebrate My Love and Set the Night to Music, while The Fugees’ 1996 cover of Killing Me Softly introduced her music to a new generation.
Over her career, Flack won five Grammys, received a Lifetime Achievement Award in 2020, and championed music education through her foundation. Her impact on music and culture remains profound.
Source: AP News
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