Roberta Flack, the Grammy-winning singer and pianist whose emotionally resonant voice captivated audiences in the 1970s and beyond, died Monday at her home surrounded by family. She was 88. Flack had been diagnosed with ALS, or Lou Gehrig's disease, in 2022, which ultimately robbed her of her ability to sing.
Flack's rise to stardom was meteoric. Although she had been performing for years, it was the use of her rendition of "The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face" in Clint Eastwood's 1971 film "Play Misty for Me" that catapulted her to fame. The song, a delicate ballad showcasing Flack's exquisite soprano, topped the Billboard charts in 1972 and earned her the first of her many Grammy Awards.
The following year, she cemented her place in music history with "Killing Me Softly With His Song," making her the first artist to win consecutive Grammys for Record of the Year. This introspective and soulful track became an instant classic, resonating with listeners across generations.
A classically trained pianist who received a full scholarship to Howard University at the age of 15, Flack possessed a remarkable musical versatility. While she could deliver the powerful gospel tones of Aretha Franklin, her signature style was more nuanced and contemplative, each word carefully crafted and delivered.
Flack's influence extended beyond music. She was a prominent figure in the social and civil rights movements, counting among her friends figures like Rev. Jesse Jackson and Angela Davis. She sang at Jackie Robinson's funeral and participated in the feminist children's project "Free to Be...You and Me."
Her other hits from the 1970s included "Feel Like Makin' Love" and two memorable duets with her Howard classmate and close friend, Donny Hathaway: "Where Is the Love" and "The Closer I Get to You." Their creative partnership was tragically cut short by Hathaway's death in 1979.
While Flack never quite replicated the overwhelming success of her early years, she continued to make music and collaborate with other artists. She had a hit in the 1980s with the Peabo Bryson duet "Tonight, I Celebrate My Love" and in the 1990s with the Maxi Priest duet "Set the Night to Music." The Fugees' Grammy-winning cover of "Killing Me Softly" in the mid-90s brought her music to a new audience.
Flack garnered five Grammys throughout her career, including three for "Killing Me Softly," and received a Lifetime Achievement Grammy in 2020. Her impact on music was recognized by artists like Beyoncé, who included her in a tribute to musical heroines in her song "Break My Soul."
Roberta Cleopatra Flack was born in Black Mountain, North Carolina, and raised in Arlington, Virginia. After graduating from Howard, she taught music in junior high schools while performing in clubs. Her talent soon caught the attention of prominent musicians, leading to her signing with Atlantic Records.
Flack's debut album, "First Take," released in 1969, showcased her unique blend of gospel, soul, flamenco, and jazz. It was the inclusion of "The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face," a song she had used while teaching music to underprivileged children, that ultimately changed her life and cemented her legacy as one of music's most iconic voices. She leaves behind a rich catalog of music that will continue to inspire and move listeners for generations to come.
[Copyright (c) Global Economic Times. All Rights Reserved.]
