Tributes are pouring in as the music world mourns the loss of Roberta Flack, the Grammy-winning singer behind soulful hits and timeless ballads. She was 88.
Roberta Flack passed away on February 24, 2025, at her home, surrounded by family, her publicist Elaine Schock told CNN. Her death came after she was diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) a few years ago.
Roberta Flack plays piano at a tribute concert for Joel Dorn at Lincoln Center, New York City, on August 13, 2008 | Source: Getty Images
News of Flack’s passing sparked an outpouring of tributes from fellow artists and public figures. Drummer and record producer Questlove shared on Instagram, “Thank You Roberta Flack. Rest In Melody.”
Singer Jennifer Hudson also honored Flack, “So sad to hear of Roberta Flack’s passing. One of the great soul singers of all time. Rest well, Ms. Flack. Your legacy lives on!!!”
Reverend Al Sharpton, a Baptist minister and civil rights activist, expressed his grief, “I’m deeply saddened by the passing of the legendary #RobertaFlack, one of the greatest musicians and vocalists of all time.”
Roberta Flack in the press room at the 52nd GRAMMY Awards at Staples Center, Los Angeles, on January 31, 2010 | Source: Getty Images
Sharpton reflected on Flack’s lasting influence, describing how her voice and music became a cornerstone of American culture, bringing depth and meaning to generations. He highlighted her impact extended beyond her artistry, recognizing her as a devoted activist and freedom fighter.
Al Sharpton and Roberta Flack at the “Lennon” Broadway opening at the Broadhurst Theatre, New York City, on August 14, 2005 | Source: Getty Images
Sharpton recalled first meeting Flack at age 12 during a rally for Operation Breadbasket, where she actively supported the movement and Rev. Jesse Jackson. He also noted her long-standing commitment to social justice, mentioning her 25-year friendship with the National Action Network and her consistent advocacy for civil rights.
Roberta Flack shows her support during Al Sharpton’s speech at a community event, posted on February 24, 2025 | Source: Instagram/real_sharpton
He also posted photos capturing their moments together at various events over the years. In one image, Flack—wearing sunglasses and a black headscarf—warmly engages with Sharpton and other attendees, reflecting her enduring spirit and strong community ties.
Roberta Flack, wearing sunglasses and a black headscarf, shares a moment with Al Sharpton and others at a public event, posted on February 24, 2025 | Source: Instagram/real_sharpton
Another photo features Sharpton standing beside a large cake at a celebratory event, surrounded by friends and supporters, emphasizing Flack’s deep connection to social movements and activism.
Al Sharpton stands beside a celebratory cake at an event honoring community leaders, surrounded by friends including Roberta Flack, posted on February 24, 2025 | Source: Instagram/real_sharpton
Sharpton concluded his post, “May she rest in peace and power. Her music will live on forever❤️🕊️.”
Remarkably, Flack had just celebrated her 88th birthday earlier this month. She took to Facebook to thank her fans for their warm wishes, expressing her gratitude and optimism for another year filled with love, music, and joy.
The post featured a historic photo of Flack performing at the piano, alongside an image of a museum tribute showcasing her grand piano, a vibrant stage outfit, and a screen playing one of her iconic performances—a visual testament to her lasting legacy.
Flack was born on February 10, 1937, in Black Mountain, North Carolina, to Irene Council and Laron LeRoy Flack. Her musical talent was evident early on, earning her a scholarship to Howard University, where she graduated with a BA in Music. After college, she briefly taught music before pursuing her dream of a professional singing career.
Her career took off when pianist Les McCann discovered her performing at a Washington nightclub, leading to a recording contract with Atlantic Records in the late 1960s. Flack quickly gained attention for her soulful ballads and unique interpretations of love songs.
She achieved widespread acclaim with “The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face,’ which became a massive hit and catapulted her to stardom. This success was soon followed by her 1969 classic, “Killing Me Softly with His Song,” solidifying her status as one of music’s most celebrated voices.
Beyond music, Flack was also a storyteller. In January 2023, she released her autobiographical children’s book, “The Green Piano: How Little Me Found Music.” Inspired by her childhood, the book recounts how her father salvaged a beat-up piano from a junkyard, repaired it, and painted it green—sparking her lifelong love of music.
Following her passing, the book topped Amazon’s best-seller list, a testament to her enduring influence.
While Flack’s career continued to thrive in her later years, she privately battled health challenges. In 2022, she was diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease.
According to the ALS Association, ALS is a progressive disease that damages nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord. The term “amyotrophic” comes from Greek and means “no muscle nourishment.”
Without nourishment, muscles weaken and waste away. The word “lateral” points to the areas in the spinal cord where nerve cells that control muscles are found. As these nerve cells die, the brain can no longer control muscle movements, making it hard to speak, move, and eventually breathe.
For Flack, ALS took away her ability to sing and eventually made it difficult to speak. Her publicists acknowledged this in a statement but later added, “But it will take a lot more than ALS to silence this icon.”
Despite the impact of ALS, Flack continued to engage with her fans, releasing books and celebrating milestones. Her final years were marked by resilience, gratitude, and an unwavering love for music.
Flack is the latest artist to pass away this year, following the death of English singer and actress Marianne Faithfull, who died at 78 on January 30. Known for her distinctive voice and lasting impact on the music scene, Faithfull rose to fame in the 1960s with her top hit “As Tears Go By.”
