Roberta Flack: A Legendary Voice in Music
Roberta Flack was more than just a singer—she was a storyteller whose voice transcended genres and generations. With her smooth, emotive vocals and soul-stirring melodies, she carved a unique place in the music industry, blending jazz, R&B, folk, and pop into unforgettable ballads. Her ability to convey deep emotion through song made her one of the most celebrated artists of the 20th century.
In this content, we will explore the different aspects of Roberta Flack’s illustrious career. Let's dive into the life and legacy of Roberta Flack: A Legendary Voice in Music, whose timeless ballads and genre-blending artistry left an indelible mark on the music industry.
Introduction
Roberta Flack’s voice is one that resonates through the ages, transcending time and genre. From the soulful ballads of R&B to the introspective melodies of jazz and folk, Flack's emotive singing style has made her an icon in the world of music.
With chart-topping hits like "The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face" and "Killing Me Softly with His Song," her music not only defined an era but also created an unforgettable space for emotional expression in popular music. In this article, we will explore Flack’s remarkable journey, her iconic collaborations, and the lasting impact she has had on the music industry.
Early Life and Musical Beginnings
Roberta Flack was born on February 10, 1937, in Black Mountain, North Carolina, to Laron Flack, a draftsman at the U.S. Veterans Administration, and Irene Flack, a church organist. Growing up in a musical family, Roberta was immersed in music from a young age.
She often accompanied the choir at Lomax African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church, playing hymns and spirituals on the piano. At the same time, she enjoyed listening to contemporary gospel music performed by legendary artists like Mahalia Jackson and Sam Cooke at a nearby Baptist church.
Developing Her Passion for Music
At the age of nine, Roberta began to take a serious interest in playing the piano. As she grew older, her talent flourished, and she excelled in classical piano. Recognizing her exceptional ability, Howard University offered her a full music scholarship, which she accepted at just 15 years old, making her one of the youngest students ever to enroll.
Education at Howard University
During her time at Howard University in Washington, D.C., Roberta switched her major from piano to voice, realizing her potential as a singer. She quickly became an assistant conductor for the university choir, showcasing her leadership and musical direction. One of her most notable achievements was directing a production of Aida, which earned her a standing ovation from the university faculty.
Early Career
Before she became the internationally renowned singer-songwriter we know today, Roberta Flack spent her early years in Washington, D.C., teaching at Banneker, Browne, and Rabaut Junior High Schools. She also offered private piano lessons at her home on Euclid Street. During this time, her music career began to take shape as she performed in local nightclubs on evenings and weekends.
At the Tivoli Club, she accompanied opera singers at the piano. Between sets, she would sing blues, folk, and pop standards, accompanying herself on the piano. This was also the time when her voice teacher, Frederick "Wilkie" Wilkerson, suggested she focus on pop music rather than classical, sensing her potential in this genre.
Flack adjusted her repertoire accordingly, and her reputation began to spread. By 1968, she started performing regularly at Mr. Henry's Restaurant, located on Capitol Hill, Washington, D.C., marking the official start of her professional singing career.
1970s: Breakthrough Success
The 1970s marked Roberta Flack's breakthrough into mainstream music. She performed jazz in Washington, D.C. nightclubs, where her talent caught the attention of jazz pianist and vocalist Les McCann.
He was deeply moved by her voice and quickly arranged an audition with Atlantic Records. After performing 42 songs in a three-hour audition, Flack’s debut album First Take was recorded in a mere 10 hours, which led to her rise to stardom.
In 1971, Flack’s performance at the Soul to Soul concert film, which celebrated African independence in Ghana, showcased her talent to a wider international audience. Her emotional rendition of "Oh Freedom" (renamed "Freedom Song") stood out, though it was not included in the reissued DVD and CD versions of the film.
In 1972, Flack’s cover of The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face, from First Take, became an unexpected hit after Clint Eastwood chose it for his directorial debut Play Misty for Me. The song went on to spend six weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard charts and earned Flack a Grammy Award for Record of the Year in 1973. The album itself also topped the charts and went on to sell millions.
Flack's collaboration with Donny Hathaway during the 1970s also produced memorable hits such as "Where Is the Love" (1972) and "The Closer I Get to You" (1978), both of which earned gold status. The duo’s magic continued until Hathaway’s tragic death in 1979, after which Flack released their final LP as Roberta Flack Featuring Donny Hathaway.
Her 1973 hit "Killing Me Softly with His Song" became her second No. 1 hit and won the Grammy Award for Best Pop Vocal Performance, Female in 1974. This track, along with her hit single "Feel Like Makin' Love" (1974), solidified her place as one of the premier voices in pop and soul music.
1980s and 1990s: Continued Success and Collaborations
In the 1980s, Flack expanded her horizons, working with other legendary artists such as Peabo Bryson. Their 1983 duet "Tonight, I Celebrate My Love" peaked at No. 2 on the UK charts. Additionally, Flack worked on several TV and film projects, including singing the theme song for the NBC series Valerie (later known as The Hogan Family) and providing the voice for Michael Jackson’s mother in his Bad short film.
Despite mixed commercial success in the late '80s, Flack remained a beloved figure in the R&B and jazz communities. Her 1991 duet with Maxi Priest, "Set the Night to Music," became a major hit, peaking at No. 6 on the Billboard Hot 100.
Later Career: Legacy and Continued Influence
In 1999, Roberta Flack received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, a testament to her decades-long contribution to music. That year, she also toured South Africa, performing her classic hits for President Nelson Mandela.
Flack continued to influence contemporary R&B, especially with her interpretations of songs by artists like Leonard Cohen and the Beatles. In 2012, she released Let It Be Roberta, an album of Beatles covers, which marked her first recording in eight years. She also collaborated on a project of Beatles classics in 2013, showcasing her timeless voice and versatility.
Flack’s contributions to music are far-reaching, having influenced the quiet storm subgenre of contemporary R&B. She has inspired countless artists and continues to be celebrated as one of the most iconic voices in American music history.
Critical Reception and Legacy
In 1971, Robert Christgau of The Village Voice described Flack as one of the most significant new black female singers since Aretha Franklin, praising her intelligence, kindness, and likability. However, he also criticized her music for often leaning towards gentility and a more polished style, which he believed was distant from the soul and rock genres, likening her to Barry Manilow with better taste.
He argued that while her music may be well-crafted, it lacked the rawness that could make it more enduring. In contrast, writer Ann Powers, in a 2020 NPR article, highlighted Flack’s immense influence on both R&B and indie “bedroom” pop, likening her presence to an astral being in Ava DuVernay’s A Wrinkle In Time.
Music critic Jason King further elaborated on Flack’s complex role in music, emphasizing her ability to create spellbinding, mood-setting music while drawing from her classical training. This made her power as a performer difficult to define, as it blended soulful emotion with sophisticated technique.
While some critics found her approach to music minimalist and lacking the grit of traditional soul, with terms like "boring" and "calculated" often used to describe her work, others, like AllMusic’s Steve Huey, appreciated her style as “classy, urbane, smooth, and sophisticated,” cementing her place as an iconic and influential artist in the music industry.
Personal Life and Advocacy
Roberta Flack was a strong advocate for artists' rights and was involved with the Artist Empowerment Coalition, which fights for artists to control their creative work. She also supported animal welfare as a spokeswoman for the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA), appearing in commercials with her song "The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face."
Additionally, she founded the Roberta Flack School of Music, an after-school program that offered free music education to underprivileged children in partnership with The Hyde Leadership Charter School in the Bronx, NYC.
Flack was a supporter of gay rights and once said, "Love is love. Between a man and a woman, between two men, between two women. Love is universal, like music." She was married to Steve Novosel from 1966 to 1972.
Flack was also the aunt of professional ice skater Rory Flack and the godmother of musician Bernard Wright, who tragically passed away in 2022. For 40 years, Flack lived in The Dakota building in New York City, next to Yoko Ono and Sean Lennon, who called her "Aunt" Roberta. Her heritage was linked to Cameroon, according to DNA analysis.
Illness and Passing
In 2018, Flack fell ill during a performance at the Apollo Theater and was taken to the hospital. Her manager revealed that she had suffered a stroke a few years earlier and was still recovering. In late 2022, it was announced that she had been diagnosed with ALS and had retired from performing because the disease made it impossible for her to sing.
Flack passed away on February 24, 2025, at the age of 88. While initial reports suggested she died at home surrounded by family, her manager later confirmed that she died from cardiac arrest on her way to the hospital in Manhattan.
Recognition and Awards
Roberta Flack received numerous honors throughout her career for her significant contributions to music. In 1974, she won the American Music Award for Best Soul/R&B Female Artist at the very first ceremony. She was also awarded an honorary Doctorate in the Arts from Long Island University in 2017.
Flack was inducted into the North Carolina Music Hall of Fame in 2009 and was one of the first inductees into the Women Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2021.
In 2022, she received the DAR Women in American History Award and had a restored fire callbox in Washington D.C. dedicated to her early career ties to the Mr. Henry's neighborhood bar.
Her legacy was further celebrated in 2023 with a PBS documentary as part of the American Masters series, and she was awarded an honorary doctorate from Berklee College of Music on May 13, 2023.
Grammy Awards
Roberta Flack received a total of four Grammy Awards from thirteen nominations throughout her career. Below is a list of her notable nominations and wins:
1972
- "You've Got a Friend" (with Donny Hathaway) – Nominated for Best R&B Vocal Performance by a Group
1973
- "The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face" – Won Record of the Year
- "Where Is the Love" (with Donny Hathaway) – Won Best Pop Vocal Performance by a Duo, Group, or Chorus
- Quiet Fire – Nominated for Best Pop Vocal Performance, Female
1974
- Killing Me Softly – Nominated for Album of the Year
- "Killing Me Softly with His Song" – Won Record of the Year
- Won Best Pop Vocal Performance, Female
1975
- "Feel Like Makin' Love" – Nominated for Record of the Year
- Nominated for Best Pop Vocal Performance, Female
1979
- "The Closer I Get to You" (with Donny Hathaway) – Nominated for Best Pop Vocal Performance by a Duo or Group
1981
- Roberta Flack Featuring Donny Hathaway – Nominated for Best R&B Vocal Performance, Female
- "Back Together Again" (with Donny Hathaway) – Nominated for Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal
1995
- Roberta – Nominated for Best Traditional Pop Vocal Performance
2020
- Won Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award
FAQ about Roberta Flack
1. Did Roberta Flack have children?
No, Roberta Flack did not have any children.
2. What is Roberta Flack suffering from?
Roberta Flack was diagnosed with ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis) in late 2022, which made it impossible for her to continue performing. She had previously suffered a stroke in 2018.
3. What was Roberta Flack's number one song?
Roberta Flack's most famous number one hit is "The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face," which reached the top of the charts in 1972.
4. Was Roberta Flack married?
Yes, Roberta Flack was married to Steve Novosel from 1966 to 1972.
5. Where was Roberta Flack born?
Roberta Flack was born in Blacksville, West Virginia, USA.
6. How many Grammy Awards did Roberta Flack win?
Roberta Flack won four Grammy Awards from thirteen nominations, including Record of the Year for "The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face" in 1973.
7. What was Roberta Flack's biggest contribution to music?
Roberta Flack was known for her unique blend of jazz, soul, and pop, as well as her ability to cross musical genres. Her influence extends over multiple generations, especially in R&B and pop music.
Closing Thoughts
Roberta Flack's legacy as one of the most influential voices in music endures through her timeless songs and unparalleled talent. From her breakthrough hit "The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face" to her powerful collaborations with Donny Hathaway, Flack's music transcended genres, resonating with audiences across generations.
Her distinctive style, blending jazz, soul, and pop, redefined what it meant to be an artist. Beyond her music, her advocacy for social causes and her impact on future generations of musicians further cement her place in history. Roberta Flack's voice continues to inspire, and her contributions to the world of music remain a testament to her artistry and passion.
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