The renowned American R&B singer Roberta Flack, famous for songs like 'Killing Me Softly With His Song', passed away at the age of 88 according to her representative in a statement. The news was announced on Monday without detailing the cause of her death. "We are devastated that the glorious Roberta Flack passed away this morning. She died peacefully surrounded by her family. She was also a proud educator," the statement expressed.
Roberta Flack rose to fame in the seventies, especially with hits like 'The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face' and 'Killing Me Softly With His Song'. Both songs were recognized at the Grammy Awards as record of the year in consecutive years.
Born in North Carolina in 1937, Flack came from a family of musicians and began studying piano at an early age. She entered Howard University in Washington D.C. at the age of 15 with a scholarship, and from then on her music career took off. She was active from 1968 to 2022 and explored various musical genres such as jazz, pop, soul, and R&B.
Although her music did not dominate the charts in the eighties and nineties, Flack maintained a loyal audience. In 1982, she released the album 'I'm the One', where she showcased her versatility and explored more contemporary sounds. In recent years, the singer focused on giving select concerts and launching special projects.
Throughout her career, Roberta Flack received numerous accolades, including the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award. In 2016, she suffered a stroke that temporarily affected her ability to play the piano, but she continued to work on her musical legacy. Her last album, 'Let It Be Roberta', was released in 2012.
The death of Roberta Flack is a significant loss in the music industry, leaving a legacy of classics that will continue to be remembered and cherished by generations to come.
