Legendary Singer Roberta Flack Passes Away at 88

NEW YORK – Roberta Cleopatra Flack, the Grammy-winning singer and pianist known for her evocative vocal style and timeless hits, passed away at home on Monday, surrounded by family. She was 88 years old.

Flack’s publicist, Elaine Schock, confirmed the news in a statement. In 2022, Flack revealed her battle with health issues, stating that she could no longer sing.

Emerging as an overnight sensation in the early 1970s, Flack became widely known for her rendition of “The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face,” which gained prominence after being featured in Clint Eastwood‘s 1971 film, “Play Misty for Me.” The song reached the top of the Billboard pop chart in 1972 and earned Flack a Grammy for Record of the Year.

Following this success, Flack made history by becoming the first artist to win consecutive Grammys for Best Record, achieving this distinction in 1973.

Born in Black Mountain, North Carolina, and raised in Arlington, Virginia, Flack was recognized for her classical piano training and unique talent. She gained an early appreciation for gospel music, which greatly influenced her career.

Flack’s versatility allowed her to traverse various musical genres. Her soulful ballads and dynamic performances secured her a lasting legacy in the music industry. “Her voice touched, tapped, trapped, and kicked every emotion I’ve ever known,” said a famous writer about her.

Throughout her career, Flack released numerous hits, including “Feel Like Makin’ Love” and notable duets with fellow artist Donny Hathaway, such as “Where Is the Love” and “The Closer I Get to You.” Sadly, their partnership was marred by tragedy when Hathaway died in 1979 while they were working together.

“We were deeply connected creatively,” Flack told Vibe in 2022, reflecting on their collaboration. “He could play anything, sing anything. Our musical synergy was unlike (anything) I’d had before or since.”

Despite not replicating her earlier success, Flack continued to release music, notably forging a successful duet with Peabo Bryson in the 1980s and gaining renewed attention in the 1990s when the Fugees covered “Killing Me Softly,” a song that earned her three Grammy awards.

In total, Flack garnered five Grammy Awards throughout her illustrious career and was honored with a lifetime achievement Grammy in 2020. Artists such as John Legend and Ariana Grande paid tribute to her impactful contributions to music.

“I love that connection to other artists because we understand music, we live music, it’s our language,” Flack said in a 2020 interview. “I can find my way when I hear music.”

Flack’s legacy extends beyond her music; she was a significant social and civil rights figure, singing at events such as the funeral of Jackie Robinson, the first Black Major League Baseball player. Her influence also reached educational spaces through her Roberta Flack School of Music in New York.

She was previously married to Stephen Novosel, and she had a son, Bernard Wright, who is also a musician. Flack was known for her close friendships, including with John Lennon and Yoko Ono, and often socialized with prominent figures in the music industry.

Flack’s music education background played a formative role in her life, as she taught music in Washington, D.C. junior high schools in her 20s while pursuing her own performing career. “I wanted to be successful, a serious all-round musician,” she said in a 2015 interview.

Roberta Flack leaves behind a rich musical legacy that continues to resonate with generations of fans.