Roberta Flack, Grammy-Winning Singer of “Killing Me Softly,” Dies at 88

Roberta Flack, the Grammy-winning singer, songwriter, and pianist best known for timeless hits such as *”Killing Me Softly with His Song”* and *”The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face,”* has died at the age of 88.

Flack passed away at home surrounded by her family, publicist Elaine Schock said in a statement obtained by the *Associated Press*.

Born on February 10, 1937, in Black Mountain, North Carolina, and raised in Arlington, Virginia, Flack was a classically trained pianist who rose to prominence in the late 1960s and early 1970s. She gained widespread recognition with her 1969 debut album, *First Take*, which featured *”The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face”*. The song became a breakthrough hit after it was featured in the 1971 film *Play Misty for Me*, and it went on to win the Grammy Award for Record of the Year in 1973.

Flack continued her success with a string of hits, including *”Killing Me Softly with His Song,”* which won both Record of the Year and Best Pop Vocal Performance at the 1974 Grammy Awards. Her smooth, soulful voice and emotive storytelling cemented her as one of the most influential vocalists of her era. She also recorded successful duets with Donny Hathaway, including *”Where Is the Love”* and *”The Closer I Get to You.”*

Over her decades-long career, Flack released numerous albums and remained a respected figure in the music industry. She was the first artist to win back-to-back Grammy Awards for Record of the Year and received numerous accolades for her contributions to music.

In 2022, Flack revealed that she had been diagnosed with ALS, commonly known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, which left her unable to sing. Despite her illness, she remained active in promoting music education and philanthropy through the Roberta Flack Foundation.

Her influence on contemporary artists and her legacy as a pioneering musician will continue to be celebrated.