Roberta Flack, the acclaimed Grammy-winning R&B singer and talented pianist, has passed away at the age of 88. Flack was renowned for her powerful and soulful voice, delivering memorable performances that resonated with audiences around the world. Her death was announced yesterday, although the cause has not been specified. Flack had been living with Lou Gehrig’s disease, also known as ALS, since her diagnosis in 2022, a condition that significantly impaired her ability to sing.

Born on February 10, 1937, in Asheville, North Carolina, Flack rose to prominence in the music industry during the early 1970s. She gained widespread recognition after her rendition of “The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face” was featured in Clint Eastwood’s 1971 directorial debut, “Play Misty for Me.” This exposure propelled the song to the top of the Billboard charts, where it garnered immense popularity and critical acclaim.

Flack’s interpretation of the song transformed it from a folk ballad originally written by Ewan MacColl into a slower-paced romantic classic. This reimagining captivated listeners and solidified her status as a leading artist in the genre. The song’s success earned Flack the Grammy Award for Record of the Year in 1973, marking a significant milestone in her career.