Roberta Flack Passes Away Surrounded by Family
Grammy-winning singer Roberta Flack died at 88 on 24 February 2025. Her publicist confirmed her passing in a statement.
“We are heartbroken that the glorious Roberta Flack passed away this morning, February 24, 2025,” her representatives said. “She died peacefully surrounded by her family. Roberta broke boundaries and records. She was also a proud educator.”
Figure 1: Grammy Award winning singer Roberta Flack [Image: Jack Robinson / Getty Images]
Flack had announced in 2022 that she had motor neurone disease (ALS), which left her unable to sing.
Early Life and Musical Journey
Roberta Cleopatra Flack was born in Black Mountain, North Carolina, and raised in Arlington, Virginia. She developed a passion for music at an early age. She received a full scholarship to Howard University at 15. Initially training as a classical pianist, she later worked as a teacher before pursuing a singing career.
Also Read: Sydney Driver Miraculously Survives After Car Crushed in Spit Bridge Crash
At night, she played piano for opera singers and sang pop standards during breaks. Her musical influences ranged from classical composers to R&B artists.
Breakthrough and Rise to Fame
Flack’s career changed when jazz musician Les McCann discovered her performing in a Washington, D.C. club. He recognised her talent and introduced her to Atlantic Records.
Her big break came when Clint Eastwood used her song The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face in his 1971 film Play Misty for Me. The track topped the Billboard charts in 1972 and won a Grammy for Record of the Year.
Flack became the first artist to win back-to-back Grammys for Record of the Year. She won again in 1973 with Killing Me Softly With His Song.
Musical Legacy and Collaborations
Throughout the 1970s, Flack released multiple chart-topping songs. Feel Like Makin’ Love reached number one in 1974. She collaborated with Donny Hathaway on Where Is the Love and The Closer I Get to You. She also recorded duets with Peabo Bryson and Maxi Priest in the 1980s and 1990s.
Figure 2: Roberta Flack performing in New York, 2012 [Image: Shahar Azran / WireImage file]
In 2012, she released Let It Be Roberta, an album covering Beatles songs.
Influence on Music and Social Movements
Flack played a role in social and civil rights movements. She maintained close ties with figures such as Reverend Jesse Jackson and activist Angela Davis.
She performed at Jackie Robinson’s funeral and contributed to Marlo Thomas’ Free to Be… You and Me, a feminist children’s entertainment project. Her work influenced generations of musicians.
In 1996, hip-hop group the Fugees released a Grammy-winning cover of Killing Me Softly. Flack later performed the song with them on stage.
Recognition and Awards
Flack received numerous accolades over her career. She won five Grammy Awards and received eight other nominations. She earned a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Grammys in 2020. Beyoncé honoured her in Break My Soul (Queens Remix) in 2022.
Reflecting on her career, Flack once said, “I’ve tried my entire career to tell stories through my music. This award is a validation to me that my peers heard my thoughts and took in what I have tried to give.”
Commitment to Music Education
Flack remained committed to music education. She devoted much of her later life to the Roberta Flack School of Music in New York. The school focused on music education for children aged 6 to 14.
She previously taught music in Washington, D.C. junior high schools. She encouraged students by combining classical and popular music. She recalled using The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face while teaching a school glee club. “You have to do all sorts of things when you’re dealing with kids in the inner city,” she said.
Personal Life and Later Years
Flack was briefly married to jazz musician Stephen Novosel. She had a son, Bernard Wright, a singer and keyboardist.
She lived for years in Manhattan’s Dakota apartment building, where she was neighbours with John Lennon and Yoko Ono. She remained active in the music industry despite health challenges.
Enduring Legacy
Roberta Flack’s impact on music spanned decades. She influenced multiple generations and remained dedicated to artistic excellence.
Her contributions to R&B, soul, and jazz continue to resonate in contemporary music. Her storytelling through song and commitment to education ensure that her legacy will endure.
