Roberta Flack, the legendary R&B vocalist known for her Grammy-winning hits “The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face” and “Killing Me Softly With His Song,” passed away at 88. Her representative confirmed her death in a statement, though no cause was cited. “We are heartbroken that the glorious Roberta Flack passed away this morning, February 24, 2025,” the statement reads.
“She died peacefully surrounded by her family. Roberta broke boundaries and records. She was also a proud educator.”
We lost an R&B legend today. Best known for her hit "Killing Me Softly with His Song," Grammy-winning artist & activist Roberta Flack inspired generations with her intimate vocal & musical style. Our condolences to her family, friends & fans. May she #RIP. https://t.co/VsnlJ4LExS
— SAG-AFTRA (@sagaftra) February 24, 2025
Flack was born to a musical family in Black Mountain, N.C. The gospel work of Mahalia Jackson and Sam Cooke inspired her.
A musical prodigy, she began studying piano at nine and entered Howard University at 15 on a full scholarship. Though her graduate work was cut short by her father’s death, Flack became a schoolteacher while pursuing a career as a nightspot performer in Washington, D.C.
Jazz pianist Les McCann discovered Flack and brought her to the attention of Atlantic Records.
So sad to hear of Roberta Flack’s passing. One of the great soul singers of all time. Rest well, Ms. Flack. Your legacy lives on!!! pic.twitter.com/0llBa6VXID
— Jennifer Hudson (@IAMJHUD) February 24, 2025
Her debut album, “First Take,” released in 1969, initially did not catch fire. However, her cover of “The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face” gained immense popularity after being featured in Clint Eastwood’s 1971 thriller “Play Misty for Me.” The song reached No. 1 on the pop charts and won the 1973 Grammy for Record of the Year.
"Roberta Flack, the magnetic singer and pianist whose intimate blend of soul, jazz and folk made her one of the most popular artists of the 1970s, died on Monday in Manhattan. She was 88." https://t.co/qu1BHH0tVF
— National Women's History Museum (@womenshistory) February 24, 2025
Roberta’s early influences and achievements
In 1973, Flack released “Killing Me Softly,” which also topped the charts and garnered Grammy awards. Her style, characterized by urbane and sensuous ballads, made her a defining voice of the early ’70s. Throughout her career, Flack collaborated with artists such as Donny Hathaway, producing hits like “Where Is the Love” and “The Closer I Get to You.” Despite declining mainstream popularity towards the late ’70s, Flack continued to record and perform, with her last album, “Let It Be Roberta,” released in 2012.
Flack, who was divorced from Stephen Novosel in 1972, was also predeceased by her son Bernard Wright in 2022. Her legacy endures through her timeless music and significant contributions to the world of R&B and pop.
