Roberta Flack

Roberta Flack (February 17, 1937 – October 16, 2012) was an American R&B and soul vocalist and pianist renowned for her sophisticated, emotionally intimate singing style and musical artistry. Born in Black Mountain, North Carolina, Flack demonstrated exceptional musical talent early, studying classical piano and earning a music degree from Howard University. She began her career as a session musician and vocalist, working extensively in Washington, D.C.'s jazz and R&B clubs throughout the 1960s. Flack's breakthrough came in 1969 when her recording of 'The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face,' originally written by Ewan MacColl, gained widespread popularity after being featured in the film Play Misty for Me (1971). The song topped the Billboard Hot 100 and showcased her ability to convey profound emotion through subtle vocal control. Her subsequent hit 'Killing Me Softly With His Song' (1973) became one of the era's defining soul songs, earning Grammy Awards and establishing Flack as a major recording artist. Throughout the 1970s and 1980s, she recorded numerous albums, collaborated with jazz great Donny Hathaway on emotionally powerful duets, and performed internationally. Flack's influence extended beyond commercial success—her interpretive artistry and vocal sophistication elevated R&B and soul music, earning respect from both popular and jazz audiences. She continued performing and recording into her later years until a stroke in 2016 ended her career.