Roberta Flack, the voice of "Killing me softly with his song", dies
Iconic American singer Roberta Flack, known for her powerful voice on songs such as "Killing Me Softly With His Song" (1972), passed away on Monday, February 24, 2025 at the age of 88.
Her spokesperson confirmed the sad news in a statement: " We are heartbroken to hear that the great Roberta Flack passed away this morning. She died peacefully surrounded by her family. Roberta broke boundaries and records. She was also a proud educator," the statement read.
Flack, who was battling amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), a disease she revealed in 2022, had previously been diagnosed with a stroke in 2018. Throughout her career, she managed to leave an indelible mark on soul and R&B music , winning numerous awards, including several Grammys.
Born Roberta Cleopatra Flack in 1937 in the United States, her name reflected the profound influence of music on her family, who were devotees of the Lomax African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church. At the age of nine , she began playing piano in church, where she sang hymns in the precursor genre of gospel, the spiritual.
From an early age, Roberta showed a love for music, even sneaking out to a nearby Baptist church to listen to contemporary gospel, including songs by Mahalia Jackson and Sam Cooke.
At age 15, Flack entered Howard University in Washington, D.C., where she began studying singing and later directed her own stage version of Aida.
After the death of his father , he had to abandon his studies to return home and help his mother financially by giving private singing and piano lessons.
It was in Washington's nightclubs, especially the Tivoli Club, that she began to forge her career as a singer and pianist. Her talent did not go unnoticed, and she was soon encouraged to become the main musical attraction at Mr. Henry's restaurant in 1968.
Flack was discovered by pianist Les McCann, who helped her get an audition at Atlantic Records. Three months later, she would debut with her first album First Take (1969), which would include her hit song "The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face".
- In 1971, his fame increased when he took part in the Ghanaian independence celebration concert, alongside artists such as Wilson Pickett, Ike & Tina Turner and Santana.
- At this event, Flack performed the a cappella spiritual "Oh Freedom," a moment that would go down in history.
- Roberta Flack, the pharaoh of rhythm and blues, left an indelible legacy in world music. Her voice remains one of the most beloved and admired of all time, and her passing leaves a void in history.
- musical.
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