Roberta Flack, Iconic Singer of ‘Killing Me Softly,’ Passes Away at [Age] – Details
Roberta Flack, ‘Killing Me Softly with His Song’ Singer, Passes Away — Details
As the music industry laments the passing of Grammy-winning vocalist Roberta Flack, the creator of classic ballads and heartfelt anthems, tributes are flooding in. She was eighty-eight.
According to her publicist Elaine Schock, Roberta Flack died on February 24, 2025, at home with her loved ones by her side, CNN reported. A few years after receiving a diagnosis of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), she passed away.
A flood of tributes from public figures and other musicians followed the news of Flack’s death. “Thank You Roberta Flack,” Questlove, a drummer and record producer, posted on Instagram. “Rest in Melody.”
Flack was also honoured by singer Jennifer Hudson, who said, “I’m so sorry to hear of Roberta Flack’s demise. Among the greatest soul vocalists ever. Get plenty of rest, Ms. Flack. “Your legacy endures!”
Civil rights activist and Baptist clergyman Reverend Al Sharpton said, “I’m deeply saddened by the passing of the legendary #RobertaFlack, one of the greatest musicians and vocalists of all time.”
Reflecting on Flack’s enduring impact, Sharpton explained how her music and voice became a pillar of American culture, giving generations of listeners depth and significance. He emphasised that her influence went beyond her artistic abilities and acknowledged her as a dedicated freedom warrior and campaigner.
Sharpton remembered meeting Flack at the age of twelve at an Operation Breadbasket event, where she enthusiastically backed the cause and Rev. Jesse Jackson. He also emphasised her enduring dedication to social justice, citing her continuous support of civil rights and her affiliation with the National Action Network that dates back 25 years.
Additionally, he shared pictures of them together at different occasions throughout the years. In one picture, Flack, sporting a black headscarf and sunglasses, interacts amiably with Sharpton and other guests, demonstrating her resilient nature and her ties to the community.
Another image highlights Flack’s strong ties to activism and social movements by showing Sharpton standing next to a big cake at a celebration with friends and supporters.
“May she rest in peace and power,” Sharpton wrote at the end of his post. Her music will always endure ❤️🕊️.
Interestingly, earlier this month Flack celebrated her 88th birthday. She expressed her appreciation and hope for another year full of love, music, and happiness on Facebook, where she thanked her followers for their kind words.
A historical photograph of Flack playing the piano was included in the article, along with a picture of a museum memorial that included her grand piano, a colourful stage costume, and a screen showing one of her well-known performances—a visual representation of her enduring influence.
Irene Council and Laron LeRoy Flack welcomed Flack into the world on February 10, 1937, in Black Mountain, North Carolina.
Her early musical prowess earned her a scholarship to Howard University, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts in Music. Before following her dream of being a professional singer, she taught music for a short time after graduating from college.
When pianist Les McCann saw her playing in a nightclub in Washington, her career took off, and in the late 1960s, she signed a recording contract with Atlantic Records. Flack immediately became well-known for her heartfelt ballads and her takes on romantic tunes.
“The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face,” which became a huge hit and propelled her to stardom, won her international praise. Her 1969 hit song, “Killing Me Softly with His Song,” quickly followed this triumph and cemented her place among the most renowned voices in music.
Flack was not only a musician but also a storyteller. Her autobiographical children’s book,
“The Green Piano: How Little Me Found Music,” was published in January 2023. The novel, which draws inspiration from her early years, describes how her father ignited her lifelong passion for music by rescuing a dilapidated piano from a scrapyard, repairing it, and painting it green.
The book’s success on Amazon’s best-seller list after her death was evidence of her lasting impact.
Even though Flack’s career flourished in her later years, she struggled with her health in private. She received a diagnosis of Lou Gehrig’s disease, generally known as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), in 2022.
The ALS Association states that ALS is a progressive illness that destroys brain and spinal cord nerve cells. The Greek word for “amyotrophic” implies “no muscle nourishment.”
Muscles deteriorate and weaken in the absence of nutrition. The term “lateral” refers to the regions of the spinal cord that contain the nerve cells responsible for controlling muscles. It becomes difficult to speak, move, and eventually breathe when these nerve cells die because the brain is unable to regulate muscular motions.
After losing her capacity to sing, ALS eventually made it difficult for Flack to communicate. In their statement, her public relations team acknowledged this, but they went on to say, “But it will take a lot more than ALS to silence this icon.”
Flack released books and celebrated milestones with her readers in spite of the effects of ALS. Her last years were characterised by fortitude, thankfulness, and an unshakeable passion for music.
Flack is the most recent performer to die this year; on January 30, English singer and actress Marianne Faithfull passed away at the age of 78. Known for her unique voice and enduring influence on the music industry, Faithfull became well-known in the 1960s after her breakthrough single, “As Tears Go By.”
