Roberta Flack died on Monday at 88 however was lively on social media earlier than her passing, sharing a put up devoted to singer Celine Dion a number of days in the past.
The long-lasting singer’s publicist, Elaine Schock, confirmed her death in an announcement, revealing she died at residence, surrounded by her household.
Flack celebrated her 88th birthday on February 10 and expressed her appreciation to followers who wished her properly.
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Roberta Flack Thanks Celine Dion
Three days earlier than her demise, Flack shared a video of Celine Dion performing “The First Time Ever I Noticed Your Face.”
Flack initially wrote the tune, which was launched in 1969, and Dion carried out it throughout her second one-off tv particular, “All of the Manner… A Decade of Track,” which was broadcast by CBS in November 1999.
Earlier than starting the tune, Dion paid tribute to Flack, saying, “It is a tune I actually love singing very a lot as a result of it is a ravishing lyric however most of all due to the spectacular singer who initially recorded it. Tonight I would prefer to dedicate it to her—Roberta Flack.”
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Within the put up’s caption, Flack thanked Dion for masking the tune. She wrote, “I am touched and thrilled to share this clip of the wondrous Celine Dion including her luminous shine to “The First Time Ever I Noticed Your Face.”
She concluded, “Thanks Celine in your love.”
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Roberta Flack Celebrates Her Birthday
Flack turned 88 two weeks earlier than her demise and marked it with a put up on her Instagram web page, the place she thanked her mates for celebrating her.
The legendary songstress shared an outdated photograph of herself enjoying the piano throughout a efficiency.
Within the put up’s caption, Flack wrote, “Thanks for al the birthday love, expensive mates!”
She added, “Here is to a different yr full of affection, music and pleasure.”
Lots of Flack’s mates and followers took turns wishing her a cheerful birthday after the put up. Nonetheless, these birthday needs have now turned to farewell messages and tributes following her passing.
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Roberta Flack’s Demise
Flack died on February 24, 2025, after a number of years of battling well being challenges. The singer’s publicist, Elaine Schock, advised CNN in an announcement that she was surrounded by her household when she breathed her final at her residence.
In the meantime, in an announcement per Deadline, Flack’s rep mentioned, “We’re heartbroken that the fantastic Roberta Flack handed away this morning, February 24, 2025.”
They added, “She died peacefully surrounded by her household. Roberta broke boundaries and information. She was additionally a proud educator.”
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Flack’s Well being Challenges
In November 2022, reviews revealed that Roberta Flack, well-known for her evergreen tune, “Killing Me Softly,” was recognized with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).
The situation, often known as Lou Gehrig’s illness, has no identified treatment and slowly kills the nerves conveying messages from the mind to the physique’s muscle mass. Ultimately, it impacts the affected person’s capability to maneuver, discuss, and breathe.
They added, “It can take much more than ALS to silence this icon. Miss Flack plans to remain lively in her musical and inventive pursuits. Her fortitude and joyful embrace of music that lifted her from modest circumstances to the internationa highlight stay vibrant and impressed.”
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Flack’s Profession At A Look
Roberta Flack rose to fame in her early 30s when Clint Eastwood featured “The First Time Ever I Noticed Your Face” in “Play Misty for Me.” The tune’s quiet, emotional depth made it successful, topping the charts in 1972 and incomes a Grammy.
In 1973, she received one other Grammy with “Killing Me Softly With His Track,” making historical past as the primary artist to win consecutive Document of the Yr awards. A classically skilled pianist, Flack was found by jazz musician Les McCann, who praised her capability to stir deep feelings.
She championed civil rights, befriended activists like Jesse Jackson and Angela Davis, and carried out at Jackie Robinson’s funeral. Her musical partnership with Donny Hathaway led to tragedy when he died in 1979.
Although she by no means replicated her early success, she had later hits with Peabo Bryson and Maxi Priest. The Fugees’ cowl of “Killing Me Softly” launched her music to a brand new era.
Flack received 5 Grammys and impressed artists like John Legend and serial Grammy Award winner Beyoncé. Obsessed with music training, she ran a college in New York, making certain her legacy lived on.
