Grammy-winning singer Roberta Flack passes away at 88

Grammy-winning singer Roberta Flack, renowned for her iconic hits such as 'Killing Me Softly with His Song' and 'The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face,' has passed away at the age of 88, as confirmed by a representative to NBC News.

In November 2022, Flack's representative revealed that she had been diagnosed with ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, a condition that had significantly impacted her ability to sing and speak. Flack’s manager, Suzanne Koga, explained that the progressive disease had made it "impossible to sing and not easy to speak."

Flack was born on February 10, 1937, in North Carolina. Raised in a musical household with a mother who was a church organist, she began playing classical piano at an early age. At 15, she earned a scholarship to Howard University in Washington, D.C. Jazz musician Les McCann discovered her singing at a Washington nightclub and helped Flack sign with Atlantic Records. 

Flack’s breakthrough came with 'The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face' in 1969, a song that gained immense popularity after its release in Clint Eastwood’s 1971 film 'Play Misty for Me.' The song topped the Billboard Hot 100 in 1972 and won Grammy Awards for "Record of the Year" and "Song of the Year."

Throughout her career, Flack recorded numerous hits, including 'Killing Me Softly with His Song' and 'Feel Like Makin' Love,' both of which reached No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100. She frequently collaborated with fellow Howard University graduate Donny Hathaway until his tragic death in 1979.

Following Hathaway’s passing, Flack formed a successful partnership with Peabo Bryson, and their 1983 hit 'Tonight, I Celebrate My Love' became a fan favorite. She continued to enjoy success throughout the '80s and '90s, including a hit duet with Maxi Priest in 1991, 'Set the Night to Music.' Her music gained renewed attention when the Fugees’ 1996 cover of 'Killing Me Softly' topped charts worldwide.

In 1999, Flack was honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, and she performed for South African President Nelson Mandela during a 1999 tour. Despite health setbacks, including a stroke in 2016, Flack continued to perform into her 80s and remained deeply connected to her music. She also founded the Roberta Flack School of Music to offer music education to underprivileged students in the Bronx.

Flack's impact on music and her dedication to her craft left a lasting legacy, as she continued to perform and inspire audiences with her soulful voice until the end of her life.