Roberta Flack (1937-2025)

Roberta Flack, born February 10, 1937, in Black Mountain, North Carolina, was a singer and pianist whose music blended R&B, jazz, folk, and pop. She made history as the first artist to win back-to-back Grammy Awards for Record of the Year with The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face and Killing Me Softly with His Song.

In the late 1960s, Flack started her career performing in clubs before gaining national attention. She often collaborated with Donny Hathaway, creating well-loved duets like Where Is the Love and The Closer I Get to You. Her storytelling through music played a role in shaping the quiet storm genre and influenced many artists.

Flack passed away on February 24, 2025, leaving behind a lasting impact on music and generations of listeners.

Introduction
Early Life and Musical Beginnings
Rise to Fame
Key Albums and Songs
Influence and Collaborations
Later Years and Continued Relevance
Marriage and Children
Illness and Death
Conclusion
FAQs
Sources

Introduction

Roberta Flack was a singer and pianist whose blend of soul, jazz, and folk made a lasting impact on music. Born on February 10, 1937, in Black Mountain, North Carolina, she showed early talent and went on to study music at Howard University.

She rose to fame in the early 1970s with hits like The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face and Killing Me Softly with His Song, both of which won back-to-back Grammy Awards for Record of the Year. Her collaborations with Donny Hathaway, including Where Is the Love and The Closer I Get to You, became classics.

Flack’s music, known for its emotional depth and storytelling, influenced generations of artists. Her impact on the industry remains strong, with her songs continuing to resonate with listeners worldwide.

Early Life and Musical Beginnings

^{Photograph courtesy of ©Roberta Flack}

Roberta Cleopatra Flack was born on February 10, 1937, in Black Mountain, North Carolina. Her father, Laron, worked as a draftsman for the U.S. Veterans Administration, and her mother, Irene, was a high school cook and church organist. When Flack was five, the family moved to Arlington, Virginia, where she grew up surrounded by music. She played piano at Lomax African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church and was influenced by gospel music from a nearby Baptist church.

By nine, Flack had developed a strong interest in piano. In her early teens, she excelled in classical music, placing second in a statewide competition for Black students. Her talent earned her a full scholarship to Howard University at just 15, making her one of the youngest students to attend. She started as a piano major but later switched to voice, eventually becoming an assistant conductor for the university choir. She also directed a production of Verdi’s Aida, which earned praise from faculty.

After graduating at 19, Flack began graduate studies but had to put them on hold when her father passed away. She took a job teaching music and English at a segregated high school in Farmville, North Carolina. This period shaped her approach to music, blending classical training with a deep appreciation for gospel and soul.

Flack’s music career took off with her 1969 debut album, First Take, which featured The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face. The song became a breakthrough hit, winning a Grammy for Record of the Year in 1973. The album also included Compared to What and Tryin’ Times, songs that showcased her ability to blend emotion with social commentary. First Take established Flack as a powerful voice in music and set the stage for her long career.

Rise to Fame

^{“Roberta Flack (1973)” by CMA-Creative Management Associates is in the public domain via Wikimedia Commons. Source.}

Roberta Flack made a name for herself by blending soul, jazz, and folk into emotional, storytelling ballads. Her biggest breakthrough came with Killing Me Softly with His Song in 1973, a song inspired by Lori Lieberman’s experience at a Don McLean concert and written by Charles Fox and Norman Gimbel. Flack’s heartfelt interpretation turned it into a massive hit, earning her a Grammy for Record of the Year and cementing her place in music history. The song was featured on her album Killing Me Softly, which further established her reputation for creating moving, memorable music.

Flack was the first artist to win back-to-back Grammys for Record of the Year—first in 1973 for The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face and again in 1974 for Killing Me Softly with His Song. She also won Best Female Pop Vocal Performance for Killing Me Softly, and her duet with Donny Hathaway, Where Is the Love, earned a Grammy for Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group.

In 2020, Flack received a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award, recognizing her lasting influence on music. Her ability to blend genres and deliver powerful performances continues to inspire artists and audiences alike.

“I didn’t try to be a soul singer, a jazz singer, a blues singer – no category…My music is my expression of what I feel and believe in a moment.” – Roberta Flack

Key Albums and Songs

Roberta Flack’s discography reflects her ability to blend soul, jazz, and folk while telling powerful stories through music. Her 1969 debut album, First Take, introduced her signature style, featuring The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face, which later became a major hit. She followed up with Chapter Two (1970), which included standout tracks like Reverend Lee and Do What You Gotta Do.

Her third album, Quiet Fire (1971), showcased her emotional depth with covers like Bridge Over Troubled Water and Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow? In 1973, Killing Me Softly cemented her status as a top artist, with the title track earning multiple Grammy Awards.

Flack also found success in collaborations, particularly with Donny Hathaway. Their 1972 album, Roberta Flack Featuring Donny Hathaway, produced hits like Where Is the Love and You’ve Got a Friend. In 1975, she released Feel Like Makin’ Love, which became another romantic hit. Blue Lights in the Basement (1977) featured The Closer I Get to You, one of her most beloved duets with Hathaway.

In 1988, Flack adapted to contemporary sounds with Oasis, demonstrating her ability to evolve with changing musical trends.

Each of Flack’s albums highlights her talent for blending genres and conveying deep emotion, securing her influence in music for generations.

Influence and Collaborations

^{PHOTO: Soul singer Roberta Flack performs a duet with Donny Hathaway at the 1971 Black Expo in Chicago, IL. (Vaughn Patterson/Ebony Collection)}

Roberta Flack’s collaborations with Donny Hathaway remain some of the most celebrated duets in music. Their partnership began in the early 1970s, with their first album Roberta Flack Featuring Donny Hathaway (1972), which produced hits like Where Is the Love and You’ve Got a Friend. Their chemistry was evident, and their vocal harmonies created an intimate, soulful experience for listeners. The songs, centered on love, friendship, and mutual support, resonated deeply with audiences.

The pair continued their collaboration with the 1977 duet The Closer I Get to You from Flack’s Blue Lights in the Basement album, another hit that showcased their ability to connect emotionally through music. Their partnership was further highlighted by live performances, where their stage presence captivated audiences. Though their work together was tragically cut short by Hathaway’s death in 1979, their collaborations remain a lasting testament to their talent and unique bond.

Flack’s duets with Hathaway not only showcased her versatility as an artist but also brought out the best in both musicians, creating timeless pieces that continue to inspire listeners.

Flack’s influence stretches beyond her collaborations with Hathaway. Her blend of soul, jazz, folk, and pop set the stage for emotional storytelling in music, impacting countless artists across genres. Contemporary soul and R&B singers, including Alicia Keys, Lauryn Hill, and John Legend, have cited her as an influence, often drawing from her emotive vocal style and sophisticated arrangements.

Flack also helped shape genres like neo-soul and quiet storm. Artists such as Erykah Badu and Maxwell have embraced the soul-jazz fusion she pioneered. Her iconic song Killing Me Softly with His Song has been covered and sampled by several artists, with the Fugees’ 1990s version introducing her music to a new generation.

Beyond her music, Flack’s dedication to social causes and advocacy influenced many artists to use their platforms for change. Her pioneering spirit and timeless artistry continue to shape the sounds and voices of contemporary music.

Later Years and Continued Relevance

After 2000, Roberta Flack continued to make meaningful contributions to music while staying involved in various advocacy efforts. She remained active in recording and performing, releasing albums like Holiday (2003), a collection of Christmas songs, and Let It Be Roberta: Roberta Flack Sings The Beatles (2012), where she brought her unique style to classic Beatles tracks. Despite health challenges, including a stroke in 2016 and a diagnosis of ALS in 2022, Flack’s love for music remained strong.

Beyond music, Flack was committed to social causes. She was a member of the Artist Empowerment Coalition, which advocates for artists’ rights to control their creative properties. She was also a strong supporter of education, particularly through her involvement with the United Negro College Fund (UNCF), working to provide scholarships and resources for low-income students.

Flack was also dedicated to animal rights and served as a spokeswoman for the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA), raising awareness about animal welfare issues. Her advocacy work, combined with her lasting influence on music, left a significant impact both in and outside the music industry.

In 2022, Flack’s life and career were the focus of the documentary Roberta, directed by Antonino D’Ambrosio. Featuring interviews with figures like Clint Eastwood, Yoko Ono, and Peabo Bryson, the film highlighted Flack’s musical talents and commitment to civil rights.

Flack’s last public performance was in 2018 at the Apollo Theater, where she received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Jazz Foundation of America. Even after her ALS diagnosis in 2022, which affected her ability to sing and speak, Flack remained involved in her creative work, continuing to inspire and influence through both music and advocacy.

Roberta Flack’s legacy goes beyond her music. Her unique mix of soul, jazz, folk, and pop set the stage for a generation of artists to follow. Singers like Alicia Keys, Lauryn Hill, and John Legend have cited her as a major influence, often drawing from her emotive vocal style and sophisticated arrangements.

Flack’s role in developing the quiet storm subgenre also paved the way for artists like Sade, Luther Vandross, and Anita Baker to evolve the genre further. Her songs, especially Killing Me Softly with His Song, continue to be covered and sampled, and the Fugees’ 1990s hit brought her music to a new generation, underscoring the timeless nature of her work.

In addition to her musical impact, Flack’s advocacy for education, artists’ rights, and animal welfare inspired others to use their platforms for change. Her contributions continue to shape music and the broader cultural landscape, ensuring her legacy endures.

Marriage and Children

Roberta Flack was married to jazz bassist Steve Novosel in 1966, during the early days of her music career. At the time, she was performing in Washington, D.C., clubs, and their marriage coincided with the rise of her stardom. However, as her career took off, their relationship began to face challenges, and they divorced in 1972, just as her hit song “The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face” gained widespread attention thanks to Clint Eastwood’s film Play Misty for Me.

Despite the divorce, Flack and Novosel remained close friends. In a 2020 interview, she reflected on their relationship, noting that while the nature of their love had changed, the bond they shared endured.

Flack never had children of her own but was deeply close to her godson, jazz musician Bernard Wright, who tragically passed away in 2022. Though many mistook him for her biological son, Flack always considered him family.

Illness and Death

Roberta Flack faced significant health challenges in her later years. In 2016, she suffered a stroke that affected her ability to perform and led to various complications. Despite this, she remained connected to her music and fans.

In 2022, Flack was diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease. ALS is a progressive condition that affects nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord, making it increasingly difficult to speak and sing. Despite this, Flack stayed creatively active, releasing her autobiographical children’s book The Green Piano: How Little Me Found Music in 2023.

Flack passed away on February 24, 2025, at the age of 88 from cardiac arrest, a common complication of ALS. She died while en route to a hospital in Manhattan.

At the time of this post, no funeral arrangements have been announced.

Conclusion

In the end, Roberta Flack’s journey through music and life has left a lasting impact. From her roots in Black Mountain, North Carolina, to becoming a Grammy-winning artist, Flack’s soulful voice and powerful storytelling connected with audiences and influenced countless musicians. Classic hits like “The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face” and “Killing Me Softly with His Song” are still loved today, while her advocacy for education, artists’ rights, and animal welfare showed her dedication to making a difference offstage. Even after facing health challenges in her later years, Flack’s commitment to her music and her causes never wavered. Her legacy is a reminder of her talent, influence, and the lasting power of music to bring people together. Roberta Flack’s contributions will always be remembered, and her music will continue to resonate with listeners for years to come.

Frequently asked questions about Roberta Flack

What are Roberta Flack’s most famous songs?
- Roberta Flack’s most famous songs include “Killing Me Softly with His Song,” “The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face,” “Feel Like Makin’ Love,” “Where Is the Love” (with Donny Hathaway), and “The Closer I Get to You” (with Donny Hathaway).
How many Grammy Awards has Roberta Flack won?
- Roberta Flack won four Grammy Awards during her illustrious career, along with a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 2020.
Has Roberta Flack collaborated with other artists?
- Yes, Roberta Flack collaborated with several artists, most notably with Donny Hathaway on hits like “Where Is the Love” and “The Closer I Get to You”.
What genres of music is Roberta Flack known for?
- Roberta Flack is known for her blend of soul, jazz, folk, and pop music.