Roberta Flack, Timeless R&B Singer-Songwriter, Dies at 88
A Legendary Career
Grammy Award winner Roberta Flack, whose tranquil ballads and 1970s songs such as “Killing Me Softly With His Song” and “The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face” established her as a timeless R&B singer and songwriter, died Monday. She was 88.
Her Death and Legacy
Flack’s death was announced by a spokesperson, who said she “died peacefully surrounded by her family”; the statement didn’t say where she died. Flack suffered a stroke in 2016 and two years later collapsed during a concert, which forced her to use a wheelchair. In 2022, she was diagnosed with ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, which took her ability to sing.
A Classically Trained Musician
A classically trained musician, Flack ushered in an enduring style of rhythm and blues with her early classics that she often described as “scientific soul” — a blend of talent, taste, and endless practice. Her recording career included nearly two dozen albums, eight Billboard-charting songs, and four Grammy Awards, among numerous nominations. She called herself “just a little country girl” who worked hard at being a musician, without relying on glamour.
A Pioneering Artist
Even that was an understatement. The Rev. Jesse Jackson described Flack as “socially relevant and politically unafraid.” The Washington Post said she “embodied the Quiet Storm a full decade before it became a successful radio format,” and NPR credited her with being one of the “prime revisionists of the American songbook.”
A Visionary and Icon
“I don’t want to be just the standard kind of commercial artist,” she told The Times in 1973. “The thing that really makes you successful is your dedication to your art.”
A High, Crystal-Clear Voice
With a high, crystal-clear voice, Flack excelled on simple ballads backed by minimal instrumentation. Her music credentials were impeccable: She was a pianist and child prodigy who received a full music scholarship to Howard University at 15. And she became the first solo artist to win consecutive Grammy Awards for record of the year.
Under-Appreciated and Undervalued
Still, she was often undervalued by legacy institutions and under-appreciated in pop music, despite the Fugees’ hit 1996 cover of “Killing Me Softly” on their multiplatinum-selling album “The Score.” It wasn’t until 2020 that Flack finally received the Recording Academy’s Lifetime Achievement Award.
Her Contributions to Music
As a child, Flack aspired to be an opera singer or concert pianist and dreamed of playing Carnegie Hall, a dream that eventually came true. Her slower tunes exhibited a dreamy, romantic appeal that allowed listeners to focus on her messages. She believed her best songs told stories that struck a chord with listeners. She sang about civil rights at Jackie Robinson’s funeral and love at benefit concerts for AIDS research and inner-city education projects.
A Life of Music and Philanthropy
Flack’s partnership with the late Donny Hathaway in the 1970s yielded some of her most memorable work, including “You’ve Got a Friend,” “Where is the Love” and “The Closer I Get to You.” They also recorded soulful covers of “I (Who Have Nothing)” and the Righteous Brothers’ “You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feelin’” and recorded the smoky “Be Real Black For Me,” which became an anthem of affirmation and tolerance among listeners.
Her Final Years
In her final years, Flack suffered from ALS, which took away her ability to sing. She continued to practice weekly with her musical director and vocal coach as she worked on a documentary film, a biography, and a children’s book, “The Green Piano,” which was based on her life. She also founded the Roberta Flack School of Music at the Hyde Leadership Charter School in the Bronx to provide a free music education program to underprivileged students.
Conclusion
Roberta Flack’s legacy is a testament to her dedication to her craft and her unwavering commitment to her art. Her music will continue to inspire generations to come, and her contributions to the world of music will never be forgotten.
FAQs
Q: What was Roberta Flack’s cause of death?
A: Roberta Flack died from ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease.
Q: How old was Roberta Flack when she died?
A: Roberta Flack was 88 years old when she died.
Q: What was Roberta Flack’s most famous song?
A: Roberta Flack’s most famous song is probably “Killing Me Softly With His Song,” which was released in 1973.
Q: What awards did Roberta Flack win?
A: Roberta Flack won four Grammy Awards during her career.
