Roberta Flack, the iconic American singer, has passed away at the age of 88. The news was shared by her spokesperson, who mentioned, “We are heartbroken that the glorious Roberta Flack passed away this morning, February 24, 2025. She died peacefully, surrounded by her family.” Known for her stunning hits like Killing Me Softly With His Song, Flack was a true pioneer in music and a dedicated educator.
Flack’s music journey began in Black Mountain, North Carolina, where she was born in 1937 to a musical family. Her mother was a church choir organist, and this early exposure to music shaped her future. By the age of nine, she was playing the piano and, by 15, she earned a music scholarship to Howard University, making history as one of its youngest students.
Initially aspiring to be an opera singer, Flack started teaching in North Carolina after graduation. She would perform at nightclubs on weekends, blending classical, blues, and pop. This passion for music led her to Washington D.C., where she gained popularity. In 1968, she decided to leave teaching behind to focus on her music career after a successful residency at Mr. Henry’s Restaurant.
Flack soon teamed up with the soul jazz pianist Les McCann, who introduced her to Atlantic Records. This collaboration resulted in her debut album, First Take, recorded in just 10 hours. The album showcased her unique style, combining various musical genres. In the liner notes, McCann described her voice as one that “touched, tapped, trapped, and kicked” every emotion.
In 1971, her cover of “The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face” took off after featuring in Clint Eastwood’s film, becoming a number one hit in 1972 and earning her a Grammy. Flack continued this success with “Killing Me Softly With His Song,” winning another Grammy the following year. This made her the first artist to win in consecutive years, a record since matched by U2 and Billie Eilish.
During her career, she collaborated with notable artists like Donny Hathaway, producing hits such as “Where Is the Love” and “The Closer I Get to You.” After Hathaway’s death, she had a posthumous hit but also found great success with Peabo Bryson on “Tonight, I Celebrate My Love” in 1983.
Flack’s versatility allowed her to explore different musical styles. She sang alongside Michael Jackson, toured with Miles Davis, and released covers of songs by renowned artists like Leonard Cohen. Her work influenced a new generation of musicians, including Erykah Badu and D’Angelo. In 2012, she even released an album of Beatles covers titled Let It Be Roberta.
Flack once expressed her approach to singing: “What I consider myself is a soulful singer, in that I try to sing with all the feeling that I have in my body and my mind.” She believed in transcending flaws and techniques to connect with listeners on a deeper level.
Her career faced challenges when she experienced health issues, including a stroke in 2018. Flack was also previously married to jazz musician Steve Novosel from 1966 until their divorce in 1972.
Roberta Flack leaves behind a rich legacy of music that continues to touch hearts and inspire artists worldwide.
Check out this related article: Breaking News: Federal Workers Grapple with Uncertainty as Musk’s Accomplishments Deadline Approaches
Source link