Roberta Flack died on Monday at 88 however was energetic on social media earlier than her passing, sharing a submit devoted to singer Celine Dion a number of days in the past.
The enduring singer’s publicist, Elaine Schock, confirmed her death in an announcement, revealing she died at dwelling, 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 loss of life, Flack shared a video of Celine Dion performing “The First Time Ever I Noticed Your Face.”
Flack initially wrote the music, which was launched in 1969, and Dion carried out it throughout her second one-off tv particular, “All of the Method… A Decade of Tune,” which was broadcast by CBS in November 1999.
Earlier than starting the music, Dion paid tribute to Flack, saying, “It is a music I actually love singing very a lot as a result of it is a wonderful lyric however most of all due to the spectacular singer who initially recorded it. Tonight I would wish to dedicate it to her—Roberta Flack.”
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Within the submit’s caption, Flack thanked Dion for protecting the music. 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 loss of life and marked it with a submit on her Instagram web page, the place she thanked her buddies for celebrating her.
The legendary songstress shared an previous photograph of herself enjoying the piano throughout a efficiency.
Within the submit’s caption, Flack wrote, “Thanks for al the birthday love, expensive buddies!”
She added, “This is to a different 12 months full of affection, music and pleasure.”
A lot of Flack’s buddies and followers took turns wishing her a contented birthday after the submit. Nonetheless, these birthday needs have now turned to farewell messages and tributes following her passing.
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Roberta Flack’s Loss of life
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 dwelling.
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 data. She was additionally a proud educator.”
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Flack’s Well being Challenges
In November 2022, stories revealed that Roberta Flack, well-known for her evergreen music, “Killing Me Softly,” was identified with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).
The situation, also called Lou Gehrig’s illness, has no recognized treatment and slowly kills the nerves conveying messages from the mind to the physique’s muscular tissues. Ultimately, it impacts the affected person’s means to maneuver, speak, and breathe.
They added, “It would take much more than ALS to silence this icon. Miss Flack plans to remain energetic in her musical and artistic 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 music’s quiet, emotional depth made it a success, topping the charts in 1972 and incomes a Grammy.
In 1973, she received one other Grammy with “Killing Me Softly With His Tune,” making historical past as the primary artist to win consecutive Report of the Yr awards. A classically skilled pianist, Flack was found by jazz musician Les McCann, who praised her means 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 technology.
Flack received 5 Grammys and impressed artists like John Legend and serial Grammy Award winner Beyoncé. Obsessed with music schooling, she ran a college in New York, making certain her legacy lived on.
