Roberta Flack, the esteemed Grammy-winning soul singer renowned for her interpretations of romantic ballads and her contributions to social activism, has passed away at the age of 88. Her publicist, Elaine Schock, confirmed that Flack died on Monday at her home, surrounded by family, following several years of health challenges, including a diagnosis of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) in late 2022. This condition, often known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, had ultimately made it impossible for her to sing.
Flack’s illustrious career spanned decades, marked by her ability to interpret songs and create her own, earning her a place as one of the defining voices of her generation. Over her career, she received 14 Grammy nominations, winning five, including a lifetime achievement award in 2020, and securing back-to-back Record of the Year awards.
Born in Black Mountain, North Carolina, and raised in Arlington, Virginia, Flack began her classical music training early, starting piano lessons at age nine. By 15, she earned a scholarship to Howard University, graduating in 1958 with a degree in music education. Despite her aspiration to pursue classical music, Flack faced challenges in the genre due to her race and gender. Encouraged to explore pop music, she began performing in Washington, DC clubs, eventually catching the attention of jazz musician Les McCann, who helped her secure an audition with Atlantic Records.
Her debut album, “First Take,” released in 1969, included “The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face,” a track that gained prominence after being featured in Clint Eastwood’s 1971 film, “Play Misty for Me.” This song propelled her to stardom, reaching No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 and winning Record of the Year at the 1973 Grammys.
Flack’s collaboration with Donny Hathaway produced successful works, including their Grammy-winning duet, “Where Is the Love.” Her 1973 album “Killing Me Softly” featured the hit title track, which topped the Billboard chart for five weeks and garnered her two more Grammy awards.
Beyond romantic ballads, Flack addressed complex social issues in her music, tackling themes like racial injustice and economic inequality. She was recognized for her social relevance, with the Rev. Jesse Jackson praising her as “socially relevant and politically unafraid.”
Even in her later years, Flack’s influence remained, impacting artists such as Lauryn Hill, the Fugees, Lizzo, Lady Gaga, and Ariana Grande. Despite the challenges of her health, Flack’s legacy endures through her profound contributions to music and social commentary.
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