Roberta Flack, the legendary R&B/pop artist behind the No 1 hit “Killing Me Softly With His Song”, has died aged 88.

A statement from her representative said that she died at home on Monday morning (24 February).

“We are heartbroken that the glorious Roberta Flack passed away,” the statement said. “She died peacefully surrounded by her family. Roberta broke boundaries and records. She was also a proud educator.”

Flack announced in 2022 she had ALS, commonly known as Lou Gehrig's disease, and could no longer sing.

Widely considered to be one of soul and R&B’s greatest voices, Flack demonstrated a rare ability to cross between genres with ease, whether on her tender cover of Ewan MacColl’s ballad “The First Time I Ever Saw Your Face” or on the meltingly smooth “Feel Like Makin’ Love”.

She was born in Black Mountain, North Carolina, in 1937. Both her parents were musical: her mother, Irene, was a church choir organist who introduced Flack to both gospel and classical at a young age.

Aged 15 and already adept at playing the piano, she was accepted to Howard University to study music on a full scholarship. Four years later, she considered a career as an opera singer until her father’s death, at which point she began teaching at a school in North Carolina.

At the same time, she impressed local audiences in DC with her virtuosic performances at nightclubs, leading to a residency at the restaurant and club Mr Henry’s. There, she met jazz pianist Les McCann, who in turn helped her sign to Atlantic Records in 1968.

Success came when director Clint Eastwood used her version of “The First Time I Ever Saw Your Face” in a love scene for his thriller, Play Misty For Me. It was her first major US hit, spending six weeks at the top of the US singles chart in 1972 and earning a Grammy Award for Record of the Year.

She repeated that feat in 1974 with her sublime, beautifully wrought performance of “Killing Me Softy”, becoming the first ever artist to win Record of the Year in two consecutive years.

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Absolutely loved her big hit “First Time” when I was a kid, what a voice, what a vibe. Even a 11 year old knew that was magic. Same with “Killing Me Softly”.

RIP Roberta.

I'm a major fan of Roberta Flack. Her voice has been a part of my life since I was a young child. She and Donny Hathaway are two voices I've never let go of and never will. RIP and thank you for soundtracks to beautiful days and romantic nights,

RIP.

RIP, ma'am.

As John said, that voice was just magic. Even if her style wasn't my favorite as a kid, those were records you didn't want to turn away from.

RIP

Yes, Roberta Flack had one of the most beautiful voices in contemporary music. R.I.P. Roberta, may your music and memory be a blessing to family, friends and fans.

Really loved her music. Her songs are timeless. There was a very good documentary about her, which I think I saw on PBS or Prime. Clint praised her, told how he had her first heard her. RIP

R.I.P.

R.I.P. Roberta.

She was a semi-close neighbor to me in the 70s.
My neighbor directly across from me was best friends with her next door neighbor.

And of course I was a big fan as soon as I heard First Time Ever I Saw You Face.
It was a very special song to the lady I was with at the time.

If any aspiring singers want to know how to truly sing with meaning and soul, it's that performance.

Sung with beauty, soul and grace.

Thank you for your wonderful voice and talent in singing....

She gave us so many wonderful songs with her beautiful voice. "First Time Ever I Saw Your Face" is an absolute jewel. I also especially love the tender, wrenching "Making Love," and my favorites of her duets with Donny Hathaway are "Where Is the Love?" and "The Closer I Get to You."

Thank you, Ms. Flack. Rest in peace.

R.I.P.

My Dad used to play her records a lot when I was little. This makes me so sad.

Perfectly said.