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An iconic voice has died. Roberta Flack, the singer known for her soulful voice and emotive delivery, was a favorite of mine, dating back to my childhood. She was 88 years old.
Raised in Arlington, Virginia, she showed a deep interest in music from an early age, learning to play the piano by the time she was nine. Flack's early exposure to classical music was instrumental in shaping her distinctive style, which blends jazz, soul, R&B, and folk. She attended Howard University on a full music scholarship at the age of 15. After teaching music in Washington, D.C., she began performing in local clubs including Mr. Henry eventually catching the attention of jazz pianist Les McCann, who introduced her to Atlantic Records.
Flack’s breakthrough came in 1969 with her debut album, First Take, which featured the hit "The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face." (one of the most gorgeous songs ever). Her smooth voice and ability to convey deep emotion quickly made her one of the most sought-after vocalists of the 1970s. Flack followed up her success with other chart-topping hits such as "Killing Me Softly with His Song," which won her another Grammy and solidified her place in music history.
Throughout the 1970s and beyond, Flack maintained a successful career with a string of collaborative albums with Donny Hathaway, including the hit singles "Where Is the Love" and "The Closer I Get to You." Their musical chemistry was palpable, and their duets are considered some of the finest in R&B and soul music. Tragically, Hathaway's death in 1979 brought an end to their collaboration, but Flack continued to evolve her sound, working with a variety of artists over the years, including Peabo Bryson and Maxi Priest, while exploring different musical genres and themes.
Today, I’ll spin her 1973 album Killing Me Softly on my turntable which includes the amazing title track along with “When You Smile”, “Jesse” and an incredible cover of Leonard Cohen’s “Suzanne”.
Thank you Roberta Flack for your voice and for laying the groundwork for the rise of neo-soul. The world was a better place because of you.
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