# Roberta Flack

> American singer (1937–2025)

**Wikidata**: [Q231484](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q231484)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roberta_Flack)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/roberta-flack

## Summary
Roberta Flack was an American singer, pianist, and recording artist renowned for her soulful voice and iconic hits such as "The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face" and "Killing Me Softly with His Song." She achieved remarkable success across multiple genres including soul, jazz, and adult contemporary music, earning multiple Grammy Awards throughout her prolific career.

## Biography
- Born: February 10, 1937
- Nationality: American (United States)
- Education: Howard University, University of Massachusetts
- Known for: Soulful vocal performances and hit songs including "The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face" and "Killing Me Softly with His Song"
- Employer(s): Atlantic Records, Capitol Records (record labels)
- Field(s): Music (singing, piano, songwriting)

## Contributions
Roberta Flack created numerous notable musical works throughout her career:
- "The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face" (original song written and composed by Ewan MacColl, recorded by Flack)
- "Killing Me Softly with His Song" (composed by Charles Fox with lyrics by Norman Gimbel, first recorded by Lori Lieberman and released in 1971, later popularized by Flack)
- "Feel Like Makin' Love" (1974 single)
- "The Closer I Get to You" (1978 single, duet with Donny Hathaway)

Additionally, Flack worked as a teacher, sharing her musical knowledge and expertise with students. She recorded multiple albums under Atlantic Records and Capitol Records, contributing to the catalogs of these influential record labels. Her music spanned multiple genres including soul, jazz, adult contemporary, traditional folk, and rhythm and blues.

## FAQs
**When did Roberta Flack live?**
Roberta Flack was born on February 10, 1937, and passed away on February 24, 2025, living a full life dedicated to music and education.

**What genres of music did Roberta Flack perform?**
Flack performed across multiple genres including soul, jazz, adult contemporary, traditional folk, and rhythm and blues, demonstrating versatility and adaptability throughout her career.

**Where did Roberta Flack receive her education?**
Flack attended Howard University and the University of Massachusetts, where she likely developed her musical talents and knowledge that would later define her professional career.

**Which record labels was Roberta Flack associated with?**
Throughout her career, Flack was associated with several record labels including Atlantic Records and Capitol Records, both significant American record labels in the music industry.

**What was Roberta Flack's profession beyond singing?**
In addition to being a singer and recording artist, Flack was also a pianist, songwriter, and teacher, showcasing her diverse talents and commitment to music education.

## Why They Matter
Roberta Flack matters as a pioneering figure in American music who broke barriers for female artists in the industry. Her smooth, soulful voice and emotional delivery influenced countless musicians across genres, and her recordings continue to be celebrated for their technical excellence and artistic merit. Flack's educational work as a teacher helped shape future generations of musicians, while her collaborations with artists like Donny Hathaway set new standards for vocal duets in popular music. Her success on multiple record labels demonstrated her commercial appeal and artistic versatility, making her one of the most respected voices in American music history. Without Flack's contributions, the landscape of soul and adult contemporary music would be significantly different, as her recordings defined the sound of multiple eras and continue to be influential today.

## Notable For
- Multiple Grammy Award winner including the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award
- Grammy Award for Record of Year for "The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face"
- Grammy Award for Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals
- Grammy Award for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance
- Iconic recordings of "The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face" and "Killing Me Softly with His Song"
- Pioneering female artist who achieved success across multiple genres including soul, jazz, and adult contemporary
- Diverse career spanning singing, songwriting, piano performance, and education
- Professional association with major record labels including Atlantic Records and Capitol Records
- Maintained a career in music from 1968 to 2022, demonstrating remarkable longevity in the industry

## Body
### Early Life and Education
Roberta Flack was born as Roberta Cleopatra Flack on February 10, 1937, in the United States. She received her education at Howard University and the University of Massachusetts, institutions that likely played a significant role in developing her musical talents. Her educational background provided a foundation for her diverse career that would eventually span multiple decades and genres of music.

### Musical Career and Artistic Development
Flack began her professional career in 1968, establishing herself as a versatile musician capable of performing across multiple genres. Throughout her career, she was associated with several major record labels, including Atlantic Records and Capitol Records. Atlantic Records, founded in 1947 by Ahmet Ertegün and Herb Abramson, had historically focused on rhythm and blues, jazz, and rock music, making it an appropriate home for Flack's soulful style. Capitol Records, founded in 1942 by Johnny Mercer, Buddy DeSylva, and Glenn Wallichs, provided another platform for her music to reach wider audiences.

As a singer, songwriter, pianist, and recording artist, Flack contributed to the catalogs of these influential labels. Her work encompassed soul music, a genre that originated in African American communities in the 1940s, as well as jazz, which had developed since 1917, and adult contemporary music, which emerged around 1960. She also explored traditional folk music and rhythm and blues, demonstrating remarkable versatility and adaptability throughout her career.

### Signature Recordings and Notable Works
Flack's most significant contributions to music came through her signature recordings. Among her most notable works were:
- "The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face," an original song written and composed by Ewan MacColl that became one of Flack's defining recordings
- "Killing Me Softly with His Song," composed by Charles Fox with lyrics by Norman Gimbel, which was first recorded by Lori Lieberman in 1971 but achieved widespread popularity through Flack's interpretation
- "Feel Like Makin' Love," released as a single in 1974
- "The Closer I Get to You," a duet with Donny Hathaway released in 1978

These recordings showcased Flack's distinctive vocal style, characterized by smooth delivery and emotional depth that resonated with audiences across multiple decades.

### Teaching and Educational Contributions
In addition to her performing career, Flack worked as a teacher, sharing her musical knowledge and expertise with students. This role aligned with her broader commitment to music education and the development of future generations of musicians. Her dual career as both performer and educator demonstrated her dedication to the art form beyond commercial success.

### Awards and Recognition
Flack's talent and contributions to music were recognized through numerous prestigious awards. She received the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award, one of the highest honors in the music industry. Additionally, she won the Grammy Award for Record of the Year, the Grammy Award for Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals (for "The Closer I Get to You" with Donny Hathaway), and the Grammy Award for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance. These accolades underscore the impact of her work and the respect she earned from her peers in the music industry.

### Influence and Legacy
Roberta Flack's influence extended beyond her recordings to shape the broader landscape of American popular music. Her ability to perform across multiple genres, from soul to jazz to adult contemporary, set new standards for versatility in the industry. Her collaborative work with artists like Donny Hathaway demonstrated the power of vocal partnerships, influencing countless duos that followed. As a female artist who achieved significant success in a male-dominated industry, Flack paved the way for future generations of women in music. Her recordings continue to be celebrated for their technical excellence and emotional depth, ensuring her legacy as one of the most important vocalists in American music history.

### Professional Relationships and Collaborations
Throughout her career, Flack maintained professional relationships with various artists and industry figures. Her duet with Donny Hathaway on "The Closer I Get to You" stands as one of the most memorable collaborations of her career, showcasing her ability to create magic alongside other talented vocalists. Her work with record labels like Atlantic Records and Capitol Records placed her alongside other influential artists who recorded for these prestigious labels, further establishing her place in music history.

## References

1. Integrated Authority File
2. Biographical Dictionary of Afro-American and African Musicians
3. [Roberta Flack, timeless R&B singer-songwriter behind 'Killing Me Softly With His Song,' dies at 88. 2025](https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/music/story/2025-02-24/roberta-flack-dead-obit)
4. BnF authorities
5. Czech National Authority Database
6. Find a Grave
7. Montreux Jazz Festival Database
8. Notable Black American Women
9. BlackPast.org
10. International Standard Name Identifier
11. MusicBrainz
12. Virtual International Authority File
13. [Roberta Flack, ’70s R&B Vocalist Known for ‘Killing Me Softly,’ Dies at 88. 2025](https://variety.com/2025/music/news/roberta-flack-singer-killing-me-softly-dead-1236318888/?)
14. [Roberta Flack, interprète de « Killing Me Softly with His Song », est morte à l’âge de 88 ans. 2025](https://www.lemonde.fr/disparitions/article/2025/02/24/roberta-flack-interprete-de-killing-me-softly-with-his-song-est-morte-a-l-age-de-88-ans_6562027_3382.html)
15. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
16. [2022](https://www.cbsnews.com/news/roberta-flack-has-als-now-impossible-to-sing-rep-says/)
17. [Source](https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/local/1980/04/09/voice-coach-frederick-wilkerson-slain-in-ny/a0258496-f50f-471f-9af9-788695861b5d/)
18. BBC Things
19. Google Knowledge Graph
20. Discogs
21. [Source](https://golden.com/wiki/Roberta_Flack-GRZBV)
22. YouTube API
23. The Movie Database