Last Updated: 27 Feb, 2025 | Views: 171
Age: 88
Profession: Singer
Other Profession(s): Musician, Song writer, Pianist
Famous For: Hits Like "The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face", "Killing Me Softly with His Song"
Higher Education: Graduated
About (Profile/Biography):
Roberta Flack, a legendary American singer, pianist, and songwriter, became famous for her smooth voice and heartfelt ballads. She rose to fame in the 1970s with hits like Killing Me Softly with His Song and The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face. Her music blends soul, jazz, and R&B, making her one of the most influential artists of her era.
Early Life & Musical Beginnings of Roberta Flack
• Roberta was born on February 10, 1937, in Black Mountain, North Carolina, and grew up in Arlington, Virginia.
• She was a classically trained pianist and won a scholarship to Howard University at just 15 years old.
• Flack initially worked as a teacher before pursuing her music career, performing in clubs to support herself.
Breakthrough & Rise to Fame of Roberta Flack
• Her debut album First Take gained recognition when Clint Eastwood used The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face in his 1971 film Play Misty for Me.
• The song became a number-one hit, earning her a Grammy for Record of the Year in 1973.
• She later teamed up with Donny Hathaway, creating timeless duets like Where Is the Love and The Closer I Get to You.
Big Controversy around Roberta Flack
• In the late 1970s, Roberta’s professional relationship with Donny Hathaway was strained due to his struggles with mental illness.
• Some critics speculated tension between the two, but Flack maintained that she always supported and respected Hathaway.
• After Donny’s tragic passing in 1979, she continued their musical legacy, dedicating songs to his memory.
Awards & Recognitions received by Roberta Flack
• Flack won four Grammy Awards, including two consecutive Record of the Year wins for The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face and Killing Me Softly with His Song.
• In 2020, she received the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award for her contributions to music.
• She was honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, cementing her legacy.
Personal Life & Later Years of Roberta Flack
• Roberta has remained private about her personal life, dedicating herself to philanthropy and music education.
• She founded The Roberta Flack Foundation to support music programs for underprivileged children.
• Despite health challenges, she continues to inspire artists and fans worldwide.
Lesser-Known Facts about Roberta Flack
• Flack was once an aspiring opera singer but shifted to soul and R&B after realizing her voice suited the genres better.
• She is fluent in multiple languages, including French, and has incorporated multilingual influences into her music.
• Roberta is an animal lover and has supported various animal rights organizations throughout her career.
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