American singer Roberta Flack, renowned for her soulful voice and timeless hits, has passed away on Monday.
Flack rose to fame with several chart-topping singles, including The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face, Killing Me Softly With His Song, and Feel Like Makin’ Love, which solidified her place in music history.
She was born on 10 February 1937, in North Carolina and was a daughter of a church organist. She develpoed deep love for music early on and began playing classical piano as a child. Her musical talent and passion eventually led her to a remarkable career that spanned decades, influencing generations of artists.
Flack’s music found a new audience in the 1990’s when the Fugees reimagined her classic hit. Their rendition of Killing Me Softly With His Song, featuring Lauryn Hill’s soulful lead vocals, became a global sensation, topping charts worldwide in 1996 and reintroducing Flack’s timeless artistry to a new audience.
Sad news of Flack’s passing
In a statement released on Monday, representatives of Roberta Flack, Suzanne Koga and Mikel Gilmore expressed their deep sorrow over her passing.
They shared their heartfelt condolences, highlighting Flack’s immense contributions to the music industry and the lasting impact of her work.
“She died peacefully surrounded by her family. Roberta broke boundaries and records. She was also a proud educator,” Koga and Gilmore said in the statement.
Flack’s health complications
In recent years, Flack faced several health challenges. She suffered a stroke in 2016 and was hospitalised two years later after experiencing dizziness at a Jazz Foundation of America event, where she was set to receive and award.
Then in November 2022, her representative revealed that she has been diagnosed with ALS, commonly known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, which had sadly left her unable to sing.
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