18 sources·Entertainment

Celebrated Musician Roberta Flack Passes Away at 88

Roberta Flack, the Grammy-winning singer known for hits like 'Killing Me Softly,' died at 88 after battling ALS, surrounded by her family.

The distribution of story sources: left-leaning (blue), center (light gray), and right-leaning (red).
Mostly Reliable
The underlying sources are generally reliable but sometimes include opinion, propaganda, or minor inaccuracies.
Balanced
The underlying sources are either a balanced mix of left and right or primarily centrist.
  1. Roberta Flack, Grammy-Winning Singer, Dies at 88

    For Flack's many admirers, she was a sophisticated and bold new presence in the music world and in the social and civil rights movements of the time.

    Roberta Flack, Grammy-Winning Singer, Dies at 88

    TIME MagazineTIME Magazine·23d
    Reliable
    This source consistently reports facts with minimal bias, demonstrating high-quality journalism and accuracy.
    ·
    Leans Left
    This outlet slightly leans left.
  2. Roberta Flack: Killing Me Softly singer dies aged 88

    Roberta broke boundaries and records.

    Roberta Flack: Killing Me Softly singer dies aged 88

    BBC NewsBBC News·23d
    Reliable
    This source consistently reports facts with minimal bias, demonstrating high-quality journalism and accuracy.
    ·
    Center
    This outlet is balanced or reflects centrist views.
  3. Roberta Flack, Grammy-winning singer known for 'Killing Me Softly With His Song,' dies at 88

    For Flack’s many admirers, she was a sophisticated and bold new presence in the music world and in the social and civil rights movements of the time, her friends including the Rev. Jesse Jackson and Angela Davis, whom Flack visited in prison while Davis faced charges — for which she was acquitted — for murder and kidnapping.

    Roberta Flack, Grammy-winning singer known for 'Killing Me Softly With His Song,' dies at 88

    Boston GlobeBoston Globe·23d
    Reliable
    This source consistently reports facts with minimal bias, demonstrating high-quality journalism and accuracy.
    ·
    Leans Left
    This outlet slightly leans left.
  4. R&B Legend Roberta Flack Dead At 88

    Flack was a Grammy-winning singer and pianist who left a mark on the music industry with her top recordings, epic hits, and signature style.

    R&B Legend Roberta Flack Dead At 88

    Daily CallerDaily Caller·23d
    Mixed Reliable
    This source has a mixed track record—sometimes accurate but also prone to bias, sensationalism, or incomplete reporting.
    ·
    Right
    This outlet favors right-wing views.
  5. Roberta Flack, Formative Quiet-Storm Singer, Dead at 88

    Flack’s soft, jazz-influenced recordings in the 1970s were early examples of quiet storm, a subgenre of R&B defined in the mid-’70s that became popular through the ’80s.

    Roberta Flack, Formative Quiet-Storm Singer, Dead at 88

    New York PostNew York Post·23d
    Mostly Reliable
    This source is generally reliable but sometimes includes opinion, propaganda, or minor inaccuracies.
    ·
    Leans Right
    This outlet slightly leans right.
  6. Legendary Grammy-Winning Singer Roberta Flack Dies at 88

    Flack was the first artist to win the Grammy Award for Record of the Year in two consecutive years – in 1973 for The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face – and in 1974 for Killing Me Softly With His Song.

    Legendary Grammy-Winning Singer Roberta Flack Dies at 88

    Breitbart NewsBreitbart News·23d
    Mixed Reliable
    This source has a mixed track record—sometimes accurate but also prone to bias, sensationalism, or incomplete reporting.
    ·
    Right
    This outlet favors right-wing views.
  7. Roberta Flack, 'Killing Me Softly with His Song' singer, dead at 88

    Flack became an overnight star in the early 1970s after Clint Eastwood used "The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face" in his film "Play Misty for Me."

    Roberta Flack, 'Killing Me Softly with His Song' singer, dead at 88

    FOX NewsFOX News·23d
    Mostly Reliable
    This source is generally reliable but sometimes includes opinion, propaganda, or minor inaccuracies.
    ·
    Leans Right
    This outlet slightly leans right.
  8. Roberta Flack, timeless R&B singer-songwriter behind 'Killing Me Softly With His Song,' dies at 88

    Flack’s emotional maturity helped expand the contemporary definitions of Black music and brought in a feminine perspective that helped plant the seed for artists such as Lauryn Hill, Alicia Keys and India Arie.

    Roberta Flack, timeless R&B singer-songwriter behind 'Killing Me Softly With His Song,' dies at 88

    Los Angeles TimesLos Angeles Times·23d
    Reliable
    This source consistently reports facts with minimal bias, demonstrating high-quality journalism and accuracy.
    ·
    Leans Left
    This outlet slightly leans left.
  9. Roberta Flack, Grammy Award-winning singer, dead at 88

    Flack had already long-cemented her legacy as one of the defining voices of her generation – both as an interpreter of others’ songs and a writer of her own – notching a slew of chart-topping hits and racking up accolades.

    Roberta Flack, Grammy Award-winning singer, dead at 88

    CNNCNN·23d
    Reliable
    This source consistently reports facts with minimal bias, demonstrating high-quality journalism and accuracy.
    ·
    Leans Left
    This outlet slightly leans left.
  10. Roberta Flack, singer of 'Killing Me Softly,' has died at age 88

    Throughout her career, Flack built a musical legacy by working outside the confines of genre.

    Roberta Flack, singer of 'Killing Me Softly,' has died at age 88

    NPRNPR·23d
    Reliable
    This source consistently reports facts with minimal bias, demonstrating high-quality journalism and accuracy.
    ·
    Center
    This outlet is balanced or reflects centrist views.
  11. Roberta Flack, soul and R&B icon behind Killing Me Softly, dies aged 88

    Flack’s impressive range of influences and collaborators was testament to her multidisciplinary approach and idiosyncratic style.

    Roberta Flack, soul and R&B icon behind Killing Me Softly, dies aged 88

    The GuardianThe Guardian·23d
    Reliable
    This source consistently reports facts with minimal bias, demonstrating high-quality journalism and accuracy.
    ·
    Leans Left
    This outlet slightly leans left.
  12. Roberta Flack, Grammy-winning ‘Killing Me Softly’ singer with an intimate style, dies at 88

    For Flack’s many admirers, she was a sophisticated and bold new presence in the music world and in the social and civil rights movements of the time, her friends including the Rev. Jesse Jackson and Angela Davis, whom Flack visited in prison while Davis faced charges — for which she was acquitted — for murder and kidnapping.

    Roberta Flack, Grammy-winning ‘Killing Me Softly’ singer with an intimate style, dies at 88

    Associated PressAssociated Press·23d
    Reliable
    This source consistently reports facts with minimal bias, demonstrating high-quality journalism and accuracy.
    ·
    Center
    This outlet is balanced or reflects centrist views.
  1. TIME Magazine
  2. USA TODAY
  3. NBC News
  4. BBC News
  5. CNBC
  6. Boston Globe
  7. CBS News
  8. Daily Caller
  9. New York Post
  10. Breitbart News
  11. FOX News
  12. Los Angeles Times
  13. CNN
  14. NPR
  15. The Guardian
  16. Associated Press

Feb 24th, 2025, 1:55 PM ET

Summary

A summary of the key points of this story verified across multiple sources.

Roberta Flack, famed for songs like ‘The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face’ and ‘Killing Me Softly with His Song,’ passed away at 88, surrounded by family. A Grammy-winner renowned for her soulful and intimate performances, she was diagnosed with ALS in 2022, which curtailed her ability to sing. Flack, who started her career later than most, became iconic after her music was featured in Clint Eastwood's film 'Play Misty for Me.' Throughout her life, she promoted education and civil rights, influencing generations with her artistry and philanthropy, including establishing a music school for children.


Perspectives

Compare opinions on this story from liberal (Left), conservative (Right) or center-leaning news organizations.

No center-leaning sources available for this story.


FAQs

A list of follow-up questions readers often ask about this story.

History

A summary of how this story has evolved over the last 24 hours.
  • 23d