"Killing Me Softly" Singer Roberta Flack Dead at 88

Grammy-winning singer Roberta Flack has passed away at the age of 88. Her death was announced on Monday (February 24), though no cause was disclosed. Flack had been battling amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), a disease that gradually robbed her of the ability to sing and speak.

In a statement to the New York Post, Flack’s representative shared, “We are heartbroken that the glorious Roberta Flack passed away this morning, February 24, 2025. She died peacefully, surrounded by her family. Roberta broke boundaries and records. She was also a proud educator.”

Flack’s battle with ALS was first revealed in 2022 by her longtime manager, Suzanne Koga, who acknowledged the challenges the disease presented but declared, “It will take a lot more than ALS to silence this icon.”

A child prodigy, Flack excelled in classical piano from an early age and earned a scholarship to Howard University at just 15. She later signed with Atlantic Records, where she released timeless hits like "Killing Me Softly With His Song” and “The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face.” Both songs won Grammy Awards for Record of the Year in 1973 and 1974—making her the first artist to achieve back-to-back wins in the category.

Flack’s legacy as a groundbreaking artist and educator will continue to inspire generations to come.

Source: NY Post