Roberta Flack, Singer of ‘Killing Me Softly,’ Dies at 88

Renowned singer Roberta Flack, celebrated for her Grammy-winning hit ‘Killing Me Softly With His Song’ and other timeless classics, passed away today at the age of 88. According to a statement from her representative, Flack left us peacefully on February 24, 2025, surrounded by her family. Born in 1937 in Black Mountain, North Carolina, Flack’s journey began with early exposure to religious and classical music through her mother Irene, a church choir member. By age nine, she was playing piano and later became one of the youngest students admitted to Howard University on a full scholarship at just 15. Her career took off when she met jazz pianist Les McCann, who introduced her to Atlantic Records. Flack’s breakthrough came in 1971 with her rendition of ‘The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face,’ which topped the charts for six weeks and earned her a Grammy Award. In 1973 and 1974, she achieved consecutive wins with ‘Killing Me Softly With His Song’ and ‘Feel Like Makin’ Love.’ Over the years, Flack collaborated with legends like Michael Jackson, Miles Davis, Leonard Cohen, and Laura Nyro. She remained active well into her later years, releasing an album of Beatles covers in 2012 titled ‘Let It Be Roberta.’ Despite facing health challenges, including a stroke in the early 2000s, Flack’s legacy as a soulful vocalist endures.