Roberta Flack dies at 88 after battle with ALS

Roberta Cleopatra Flack, an American Grammy-winning singer, passed away at her home on February 24, 2025, surrounded by family. Born in Black Mountain, North Carolina, in 1937, Flack was a prodigious talent, receiving a scholarship to Howard University at the age of 15. Her major breakthrough came when Clint Eastwood used her rendition of 'The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face' in his 1971 film 'Play Misty for Me', propelling her to stardom. She achieved remarkable success in the 1970s, including winning the Grammy Award for Record of the Year in consecutive years for this song and 'Killing Me Softly with His Song'. Despite her immense talent, Flack faced personal turmoil later in her career, particularly following the tragic death of her musical partner, Donny Hathaway, in 1979. Nonetheless, she continued to perform and record music, remaining a prominent figure in the music world through the 1980s and beyond. In 2020, she received a lifetime achievement Grammy, celebrating her influence as one of the greatest voices in soul and R&B music. Flack's music was notably revitalized in the mid-90s when the hip-hop group The Fugees released a cover of 'Killing Me Softly,' introducing her to a new generation of fans. In recent years, Flack battled ALS, a progressive neurodegenerative disease that severely impacted her ability to perform. In 2022, she made the difficult announcement that she could no longer sing due to the disease. Despite these challenges, her contribution to music and her role as an educator remained significant. The news of her passing has elicited heartfelt tributes from friends, fans, and fellow musicians alike, underscoring her legacy as a boundary-breaking artist and a trailblazer for many singers. Flack's early exposure to music through her mother, a church choir organist, instilled a deep love of music that remained throughout her life. She not only broke into the music business but also took time to reach out to the civil rights movement, demonstrating her commitment to social issues of her time. The passing of Roberta Flack marks a profound moment in the music industry, highlighting her influence, talent, and the enduring impact of her art.