Roberta Flack, Legendary Singer of Killing Me Softly, Dies at 88

Image credits: The New York Times

Roberta Flack, the iconic singer known for her powerful and emotive voice, has passed away at the age of 88. With a career spanning over five decades, Flack left an indelible mark on the music industry, breaking down genre barriers and pushing the boundaries of what was possible for a female artist. Her unique sound, which blended elements of soul, jazz, and pop, captivated audiences and earned her numerous accolades, including eight Grammy nominations and four wins.

Flack's rise to fame began in the 1970s, with the release of her debut album, First Take, in 1969. However, it was her 1970 appearance on The Third Bill Cosby Special that she credited as "the biggest break of my career." Her version of Ewan MacColl's "The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face," featured in Clint Eastwood's 1971 movie Play Misty For Me, propelled her to stardom. The string of albums that followed, including Chapter Two, Quiet Fire, Killing Me Softly, and Feel Like Makin' Love, solidified her position as one of the decade's most popular singers.

Some of Roberta Flack's notable works include:

• Killing Me Softly (1973)
• The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face (1972)
• Feel Like Makin' Love (1974)
• Quiet Fire (1971)
• Chapter Two (1970)

Flack's ability to interpret songs and make them her own was unparalleled, and she remains the only solo artist to win the Grammy for record of the year two years in a row. Her music was not limited to one genre, and she was known for helping to shape and define "quiet storm" R&B, laying the groundwork for the rise of neo-soul.

Throughout her career, Flack continued to challenge racialized conventions about popular music, incorporating elements of rock, folk, jazz, classical, Latin, and more into her work. Her legacy extends far beyond her own music, with generations of artists citing her as an influence. Despite suffering from health setbacks in the 2010s, including a diagnosis of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) in 2022, Flack remained committed to her craft, releasing a children's book, The Green Piano: How Little Me Found Music, in 2023.

Roberta Flack's passing marks the end of an era, but her music and legacy will continue to inspire and influence artists for years to come. Her impact on the music industry is immeasurable, and she will be remembered as a true legend and a pioneer in the world of music. With a career that spanned over five decades, Flack's music remains timeless, and her influence can be heard in the work of countless artists who have followed in her footsteps.

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