Grammy award-winning singer Roberta Flack, who crooned hits like “Killing Me Softly With His Song” and “The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face,” has died, a representative confirmed to NBC News. She was 88.
In November 2022, a representative announced that Flack had ALS, commonly known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, and could no longer sing. The progressive disease “has made it impossible to sing and not easy to speak,” Flack’s manager Suzanne Koga said in a news release.
In a statement on Monday, representatives for Flack said they are "heartbroken" by her passing. "She died peacefully surrounded by her family," Koga and Mikel Gilmore said in the statement. "Roberta broke boundaries and records. She was also a proud educator."
Flack was born Feb. 10, 1937, in North Carolina. The daughter of a church organist, Flack began playing classical piano at a young age. At 15, her talents earned her a scholarship to Howard University in Washington, D.C. Jazz musician Les McCann claims he discovered Flack’s talents while she was singing at Mr. Henry’s, a Washington nightclub. “Her voice touched, tapped, trapped and kicked every emotion I’ve ever known,” McCann said. “I laughed, cried and screamed for more.”
Eventually, McCann helped the young singer sign with Atlantic Records Group, where Flack recorded “The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face,” which was written by Ewan MacColl. The song became a breakout for Flack after it appeared on her first album, “First Take,” in 1969. After being used in Clint Eastwood’s 1971 directorial debut “Play Misty for Me,” however, Atlantic Records released a radio version, which became a huge hit, peaking at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1972.
In 1973, the song won Grammys for record and song of the year.
Curiously, the first time ever I heard "The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face" was from the Kingston Trio, who recorded it back in 1962. I thought Flack did it better.
The Wombat has Rule 5 Sunday: Denim on the Beach up and garnering clicks at the Other McCain.
No comments:
Post a Comment