Looking Back at ‘Killing Me Softly’ Singer Roberta Flack’s Music Career After Her Death at 88 Years Old

Roberta Flack, the legendary singer-songwriter whose soulful voice captivated generations of music lovers, died on February 24 from cardiac arrest, a complication of ALS.

She was 88 years old. Born in Black Mountain, North Carolina, Roberta rose to prominence in the 1960s and became one of the most influential voices in American music. A multiple Grammy winner, she was known for timeless classics such as “Killing Me Softly With His Song” and “The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face.”

Although ALS eventually silenced her voice, Roberta’s connection to music remained unshakable. “Although I no longer play or sing, when I experience music — it’s so much more than just ‘listening’ for me — I connect to my parents, my teachers, my fans, my peers. Everyone,” she told Today.com in an email interview in 2023. “Music is everything to me.”