The music world mourns the loss of a true legend as Roberta Flack, the iconic voice behind timeless classics like “Killing Me Softly With His Song,” passed away on Monday at age 88. The influential artist, whose distinctive sound blended soul, jazz, rock, and pop, leaves an extraordinary musical legacy that continues to resonate with audiences worldwide.

Flack’s extraordinary musical journey began at a remarkably young age. A prodigious talent, she earned a full scholarship to Howard University at just 15 years old, initially dreaming of a career as a classical pianist.

“My real ambition was to be a concert pianist,” Flack revealed in a 2012 NPR interview. “To play Schumann and Bach and Chopin – the romantics. Those were my guys.”

However, in the late 1950s, facing discouragement from pursuing classical music as a Black woman, Flack pivoted to teaching music in schools across North Carolina and Washington, D.C., while performing in local clubs as an accompanying pianist and vocalist. Her exceptional talent caught the attention of industry professionals, eventually leading to a contract with Atlantic Records and the release of her debut album, First Take, in 1969.

While First Take performed well commercially, Flack herself credited her appearance on The Third Bill Cosby Special in 1970 as “the biggest break of my career.” Her career trajectory soared when Clint Eastwood featured her haunting rendition of “The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face” in his 1971 film Play Misty For Me.

The following years established Flack as one of the decade’s most celebrated vocalists. Her impressive catalogue—including albums like Chapter Two, Quiet Fire, Killing Me Softly, Feel Like Makin’ Love and her collaborative work with Donny Hathaway—dominated the charts and won critical acclaim.

Grammy Greatness and Lasting Impact

Flack’s exceptional talent earned her eight Grammy nominations and four wins during her peak years. She achieved a feat still unmatched by any solo artist: winning the Grammy Award for Record of the Year in consecutive years—1973 for “The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face” and 1974 for “Killing Me Softly With His Song.”

Despite facing some criticism in an era that increasingly valued singer-songwriters, music critic Ann Powers places Flack among the greatest vocal interpreters: “Roberta Flack stands with Sinatra, with Ella Fitzgerald, with so many great interpreters of the 20th century, as someone who made every song she approached original.”

Legacy Beyond the Charts

Through the mid-1970s, Flack expanded her musical horizons by scoring for film and television, venturing into music publishing and production, and pursuing graduate studies in education and linguistics. Her creative output continued through the decades with notable releases, including Blue Lights in the Basement (1977), another album with Donny Hathaway, collaborations with Peabo Bryson, and a Christmas album.

In 2022, Flack disclosed her diagnosis of ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis), often referred to as Lou Gehrig’s disease. The following year, she published The Green Piano: How Little Me Found Music, a children’s book co-written with Tonya Bolden about how her father restored an old piano for her childhood practice.

Throughout her illustrious career, Flack defied genre limitations, helping define the “quiet storm” R&B movement and laying the groundwork for the emergence of neo-soul. Her interpretations incorporated elements of rock, folk, jazz, classical, and Latin music, challenging conventional racial boundaries in popular music and inspiring countless artists across generations.

As she eloquently stated in a 2020 interview: “My main interest is in telling my story through a song—whether mine or someone else’s. Tell the truth clearly and honestly so the listener can feel their story.”

Roberta Flack’s voice may be silenced, but her musical legacy will continue touching hearts and inspiring artists for generations.

What’s your favourite Roberta Flack song? Share your memories in the comments below.