Roberta Flack, soul icon behind "Killing Me Softly," dies at 88

Roberta Flack, the legendary soul and R&B singer known for hits like Killing Me Softly With His Song and The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face, has passed away at the age of 88.

Her spokesperson confirmed she died peacefully on February 24, 2025, surrounded by family.

Born in 1937 in Black Mountain, North Carolina, Flack was a prodigy in classical music before venturing into soul and jazz. She earned widespread fame with her 1972 hit The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face, which topped the charts for six weeks. She went on to make history with Killing Me Softly, winning Grammy awards in back-to-back years.

Flack's collaborations with Donny Hathaway, including Where Is the Love and The Closer I Get to You, are iconic, and her influence on R&B persists today. Her deep, soulful voice and versatility made her one of the genre's greatest artists, transcending style and technique to create timeless music.