Roberta Flack

{{Infobox person

| name = Roberta Flack

| image = Roberta Flack 1976.jpg

| caption = Flack in 1976

| birth_name = Roberta Cleopatra Flack

| alias = Rubina Flake

| birth_date = {{birth date|mf=yes|1937|02|10}}

| birth_place = Black Mountain, North Carolina, U.S.

| death_date = {{death date and age|mf=yes|2025|02|24|1937|02|10}}

| death_place = New York City, U.S.

| occupation = {{hlist|Singer|songwriter|musician}}

| spouse = {{marriage|Steve Novosel|1966|1972|end=div}}

| relatives = {{ubl|Rory Flack (niece)|Bernard Wright (godson)}}

| website = {{URL|robertaflack.com/}}

| module = {{Infobox musical artist|embed=yes

| instruments = {{hlist|Vocals|keyboards}}

| discography = Full list

| genre = {{hlist|Jazz|soul|R&B}}

| years_active = 1968–2022

| label = {{ubl|Atlantic (1968–1996)|Angel / Capitol (1997)|RAS / 429 / Sony/ATV (2011–2018)}}

}}

Roberta Cleopatra Flack (February 10, 1937 – February 24, 2025) was an American singer and pianist known for her emotive, genre-blending ballads that spanned R&B, jazz, folk, and pop and contributed to the birth of the quiet storm radio format. Her commercial success included the Billboard Hot 100 chart-topping singles "The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face", "Killing Me Softly with His Song", and "Feel Like Makin' Love". She became the first artist to win the Grammy Award for Record of the Year in consecutive years.

Flack frequently collaborated with Donny Hathaway, with whom she recorded several hit duets, including "Where Is the Love" and "The Closer I Get to You". She was one of the defining voices of 1970s popular music and remained active in the industry, later finding success with duets such as "Tonight, I Celebrate My Love" with Peabo Bryson (1983) and "Set the Night to Music" with Maxi Priest (1991). Across her decades-long career, she interpreted works by songwriters such as Leonard Cohen and members of the Beatles.{{Cite news |last=Powers |first=Ann |date=February 10, 2020 |title=Why Is Roberta Flack's Influence On Pop So Undervalued? |url=https://www.npr.org/2020/02/10/804370981/roberta-flack-the-virtuoso |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211101213939/https://www.npr.org/2020/02/10/804370981/roberta-flack-the-virtuoso |archive-date=November 1, 2021 |access-date=November 1, 2021 |work=NPR |language=en}} In 2020, Flack received the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award.{{Cite magazine |last=Italie |first=Hillel |date=February 24, 2025 |title=Roberta Flack, Grammy-Winning Singer, Dies at 88 |url=https://time.com/7261165/roberta-flack-dies-88/#:~:text=Overall,%20she%20won%20five%20Grammys,Grande%20among%20those%20praising%20her. |access-date=February 24, 2025 |magazine=TIME |language=en |agency=Associated Press}}

Early life and education

Flack was born on February 10, 1937,{{efn|Motown Encyclopedia gives her birth year as 1939, but says: "(although some sources state the year of birth to be 1937)".{{cite book |last1=Betts |first1=Graham |title=Motown Encyclopedia |date=2014 |publisher=AC Publishing |isbn=978-1-311-44154-6 |chapter=Roberta Flack & Quincy Jones |access-date=October 16, 2020 |chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=RG_LAwAAQBAJ&q=%22roberta%20flack%22%20birth%20date&pg=PT161 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210503175855/https://books.google.com/books?id=RG_LAwAAQBAJ&q=%22roberta%20flack%22%20birth%20date&pg=PT161 |archive-date=May 3, 2021 |url-status=live}}}} in Black Mountain, North Carolina, to parents Laron Flack, a jazz pianist and U.S. Veterans Administration draftsman,{{Cite news |last=Wansley |first=Joyce |date=October 9, 1978 |title=After Three Years on Tilt, Roberta Flack Is Finally Lighting Up the Charts Again |url=https://people.com/archive/after-three-years-on-tilt-roberta-flack-is-finally-lighting-up-the-charts-again-vol-10-no-15/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181129013033/https://people.com/archive/after-three-years-on-tilt-roberta-flack-is-finally-lighting-up-the-charts-again-vol-10-no-15/ |archive-date=November 29, 2018 |access-date=November 28, 2018 |work=People |language=en}} and Irene (née Council) Flack{{cite web|url=http://www.soulwalking.co.uk/Roberta%20Flack.html|title=Roberta Flack page|publisher=Soulwalking.co.uk|access-date=November 11, 2012|archive-date=October 9, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121009150540/http://www.soulwalking.co.uk/Roberta%20Flack.html|url-status=live}} a church organist.{{Cite news |last=Russonello |first=Giovanni |date=February 24, 2025 |title=Roberta Flack, Virtuoso Singer-Pianist Behind 'Killing Me Softly,' Dies at 88 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2025/02/24/arts/music/roberta-flack-dead.html |access-date=February 25, 2025 |newspaper=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}} According to DNA analysis, Flack was of Cameroonian descent.{{cite web |date=November 27, 2008 |title=Growing Interest in DNA-Based Genetic Testing Among African American with Historic Election of President Elect Barack Obama |url=http://www.prweb.com/releases/2008/11/prweb1673564.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150801011403/http://www.prweb.com/releases/2008/11/prweb1673564.htm |archive-date=August 1, 2015 |access-date=November 11, 2012 |publisher=Prweb.com}} Her family moved to Richmond, Virginia, before settling in Arlington, Virginia, when she was five years old.

Her first musical experiences were in church.{{cite web|url=https://www.thetimes.com/uk/obituaries/article/roberta-flack-obituary-singer-who-fused-soul-jazz-and-folk-q6gsbmfmt |website=thetimes.com |title=The Times Register: Obituary Roberta Flack |date=25 February 2025 |access-date=28 February 2025}} She grew up in a large musical family and often provided piano accompaniment for the choir of Lomax African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church singing hymns and spirituals. She occasionally sang at the Macedonia Baptist Church in Arlington. Eliza Tebo, [https://www.arlingtonmagazine.com/roberta-flack-arlington/ Roberta Flack’s Road to the Grammys Began in Arlington], arlingtonmagazine.com, February 16, 2023 Her father acquired a battered old piano for her, which she learned to play sitting on her mother's lap.{{cite web|url=https://www.thetimes.com/uk/obituaries/article/roberta-flack-obituary-singer-who-fused-soul-jazz-and-folk-q6gsbmfmt |website=thetimes.com |title=The Times Register: Obituary Roberta Flack |date=25 February 2025 |access-date=28 February 2025}} and Flack took formal piano lessons when she was nine. She gravitated towards classical music and during her early teens excelled at classical piano,{{cite web|url=https://www.thetimes.com/uk/obituaries/article/roberta-flack-obituary-singer-who-fused-soul-jazz-and-folk-q6gsbmfmt |website=thetimes.com |title=The Times Register: Obituary Roberta Flack |date=25 February 2025 |access-date=28 February 2025}} finishing second in a statewide competition for Black students aged 13 playing a Scarlatti sonata.{{cite magazine|url=https://www.arlingtonmagazine.com/roberta-flack-arlington/|title=Roberta Flack's Road to the Grammys Began in Arlington|first=Eliza|last=Tebo|magazine=Arlington Magazine|date=February 16, 2023|access-date=March 9, 2025}}{{cite web|url=https://www.thetimes.com/uk/obituaries/article/roberta-flack-obituary-singer-who-fused-soul-jazz-and-folk-q6gsbmfmt |website=thetimes.com |title=The Times Register: Obituary Roberta Flack |date=25 February 2025 |access-date=28 February 2025}} In 1952 at the age of 15 she won a full music scholarship to Howard University in Washington DC,{{cite web|url=http://www.robertaflack.com/rfbio.html|title=Roberta Flack Biography|website=robertaflack.com|publisher=Roberta Flack|access-date=November 11, 2012|archive-date=January 22, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100122192647/http://www.robertaflack.com/rfbio.html|url-status=live}} and was one of the youngest students ever to enroll there.{{cite web|url=https://www.thetimes.com/uk/obituaries/article/roberta-flack-obituary-singer-who-fused-soul-jazz-and-folk-q6gsbmfmt |website=thetimes.com |title=The Times Register: Obituary Roberta Flack |date=25 February 2025 |access-date=28 February 2025}} She eventually changed her major from piano to voice and became assistant conductor of the university choir. Her direction of a production of Giuseppe Verdi's opera Aida received a standing ovation from the Howard University faculty.{{cite web|url=https://www.pbs.org/wnet/americanmasters/roberta-flack-biography-and-career-timeline/25437/|title=Roberta Flack biography and career timeline|date=January 17, 2023|website=Pbs.org|access-date=February 24, 2025}} At Howard she met her future collaborator, Donny Hathaway.{{cite web|url=https://www.thetimes.com/uk/obituaries/article/roberta-flack-obituary-singer-who-fused-soul-jazz-and-folk-q6gsbmfmt |website=thetimes.com |title=The Times Register: Obituary Roberta Flack |date=25 February 2025 |access-date=28 February 2025}}

Flack became a student teacher at a school near Chevy Chase, Maryland. She graduated from Howard University at 19 and began graduate studies in music there, but after the sudden death of her father she had to find work to support herself. She took a job teaching music and English at a small, segregated high school in Farmville, North Carolina,{{cite web|title=Roberta Flack, Best-Of Edition|url=https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=5355321|work=News & Notes|publisher=NPR|interviewer=Ed Gordon|date=April 21, 2006|access-date=June 9, 2017|archive-date=June 20, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170620223402/http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=5355321|url-status=live}} for which she was paid $2,800 a year.{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1970/03/29/archives/robertas-a-capital-find.html|title=Roberta's a Capital Find|newspaper=The New York Times|first=Jack|last=Rosenthal|author-link=Jack Rosenthal|date=March 29, 1970|access-date=February 25, 2025}}

Career

=Early career=

Before becoming a professional singer-songwriter, Flack returned to Washington, D.C., and taught at Banneker, Browne, and Rabaut Junior High Schools.{{cite web|url=https://www.songwriteruniverse.com/roberta-flack-interview-2020/|title=Legendary Artist Roberta Flack Talks About Her Classic Hits 'The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face,' 'Killing Me Softly' And 'Where Is The Love'|first=Dale|last=Kawashima|website=SongwriterUniverse|date=August 10, 2020|access-date=February 25, 2025}}{{cite web|url=https://faroutmagazine.co.uk/the-song-that-defined-roberta-flack/|title='The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face': the song that defined Roberta Flack|website=Far Out|first=Reuben|last=Cross|date=February 24, 2025|access-date=February 25, 2025}}{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/local/1989/10/05/principal-takes-junior-high-even-higher/c46a4309-ce30-4ac9-a51c-b49d0548146c/|title=Principal takes Junior High even higher|newspaper=The Washington Post|first=Jenice |last=Armstrong|date=October 5, 1989|access-date=February 25, 2025}}{{cite web|url=https://www.washingtoninformer.com/roberta-flack-music-education/|title=Music Took Roberta Flack from D.C. Classrooms to Mr. Henry's to Worldwide Stages|website=The Washington Informer|first= Brenda C.|last=Siler|date=February 7, 2024|access-date=February 25, 2025}} She also taught private piano lessons out of her home on Euclid Street, NW, in the city. During that time, her music career began to take shape on evenings and weekends in nightclubs.{{cite news |last1=Beaumont-Thomas |first1=Ben |last2=Bugel |first2=Safi |title=Roberta Flack, soul and R&B icon behind Killing Me Softly, dies aged 88 |url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2025/feb/24/roberta-flack-soul-and-rb-icon-behind-killing-me-softly-dies-aged-88 |access-date=February 24, 2025 |newspaper=The Guardian |date=February 24, 2025}}

At the Tivoli Theater she accompanied opera singers at the piano. During intermissions, she would sing blues, folk, and pop standards in a back room, accompanying herself on the piano. Later she performed several nights a week at the 1520 Club, providing her own piano accompaniment. About this time her voice teacher, Frederick "Wilkie" Wilkerson, told her that he saw a brighter future for her in pop music than in the classics. Flack modified her repertoire accordingly and her reputation spread. In 1968, she began singing professionally after she was hired to perform regularly at Mr. Henry's Restaurant, located on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C.{{cite magazine |last1=Whiting |first1=Amanda |title=Roberta Flack Still Goes to the Capitol Hill Bar Where She Got Her Big Break|url=https://www.washingtonian.com/2017/06/13/roberta-flack-still-goes-capitol-hill-bar-got-big-break/ |magazine=Washingtonian |date=June 13, 2017}}{{cite news |last1=Brown |first1=Joe |title=Flack's Song of Thanks |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/lifestyle/1987/09/28/flacks-song-of-thanks/12a1ce5e-7987-42ef-aab1-7d7b5ae62375/ |newspaper=The Washington Post |date=September 27, 1987}}{{cite news |last1=Arlington Public Library |title= Roberta Flack's Arlington Roots |url= https://library.arlingtonva.us/2021/03/18/roberta-flacks-arlington-roots/ |newspaper=The Washington Post |date=September 27, 1987}}

Her break came in the summer of 1968 when she performed at a benefit concert in Washington to raise funds for a children's library in the city's ghetto district,{{cite web|url=https://www.thetimes.com/uk/obituaries/article/roberta-flack-obituary-singer-who-fused-soul-jazz-and-folk-q6gsbmfmt |website=thetimes.com |title=The Times Register: Obituary Roberta Flack |date=25 February 2025 |access-date=28 February 2025}} and was seen by soul and jazz singer Les McCann, who was signed to Atlantic Records. He was captivated by Flack's voice and arranged an audition for her with Atlantic,{{cite web|url=https://www.thetimes.com/uk/obituaries/article/roberta-flack-obituary-singer-who-fused-soul-jazz-and-folk-q6gsbmfmt |website=thetimes.com |title=The Times Register: Obituary Roberta Flack |date=25 February 2025 |access-date=28 February 2025}} in which she performed 42 songs from her nightclub repertoire in three hours for producer Joel Dorn. Dorn immediately told the label to sign her. In November 1968 she recorded 39 song demos in less than 10 hours. McCann later wrote in the liner notes of her first album, "Her voice touched, tapped, trapped, and kicked every emotion I've ever known. I laughed, cried, and screamed for more... she alone had the voice." Three months later, Atlantic recorded Flack's debut album, First Take (1969), in 10 hours.{{cite web |author=Steve Huey |date=February 10, 1939 |title=Roberta Flack | Biography |url=https://www.allmusic.com/artist/roberta-flack-mn0000290072/biography |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190617225803/https://www.allmusic.com/artist/roberta-flack-mn0000290072/biography |archive-date=June 17, 2019 |access-date=May 23, 2014 |publisher=AllMusic}}{{cite web|url=https://www.thetimes.com/uk/obituaries/article/roberta-flack-obituary-singer-who-fused-soul-jazz-and-folk-q6gsbmfmt |website=thetimes.com |title=The Times Register: Obituary Roberta Flack |date=25 February 2025 |access-date=28 February 2025}} The album was "an elegant fusion of folk, jazz and soul" and included her version of British folk singer Ewan McColl's song "The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face".{{cite web|url=https://www.thetimes.com/uk/obituaries/article/roberta-flack-obituary-singer-who-fused-soul-jazz-and-folk-q6gsbmfmt |website=thetimes.com |title=The Times Register: Obituary Roberta Flack |date=25 February 2025 |access-date=28 February 2025}}

=1970s=

Flack's second album, Chapter Two, appeared in 1970 and marked the start of her collaboration with Hathaway as arranger, accompanist and backing singer.{{cite web|url=https://www.thetimes.com/uk/obituaries/article/roberta-flack-obituary-singer-who-fused-soul-jazz-and-folk-q6gsbmfmt |website=thetimes.com |title=The Times Register: Obituary Roberta Flack |date=25 February 2025 |access-date=28 February 2025}} In 1971, Flack participated in the legendary Soul to Soul concert film by Denis Sanders which was headlined by Wilson Pickett along with Ike & Tina Turner, Santana, The Staple Singers, Les McCann, Eddie Harris, The Voices of East Harlem and others. The U.S. delegation of musical artists featured in the film was invited to perform for the 14th anniversary of the March 6 Independence Day of Ghana.{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.timeout.com/london/film/soul-to-soul|title=Soul to Soul (film review)|magazine=Time Out London|access-date=March 29, 2017|archive-date=March 29, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170329234921/https://www.timeout.com/london/film/soul-to-soul|url-status=live}}{{cite news|newspaper=The New York Times|title=Rousing 'Soul to Soul'|first=Howard|last=Thompson|author-link=Howard Thompson (film critic)|date=August 19, 1971|url=https://movies.nytimes.com/movie/review?res=990CEED81238EF34BC4152DFBE66838A669EDE}} The film was digitally reissued on DVD and CD in 2004 but for unknown reasons Flack refused permission for her image and recording to be included . Her a cappella performance of the traditional spiritual "Oh Freedom", retitled "Freedom Song" on the original Soul to Soul LP soundtrack, is only available in the VHS version of the film.{{Cite book|title=Soul to Soul World Catalog Search Results|oclc=840123917}}

Flack's cover version of "Will You Love Me Tomorrow" hit No. 76 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1972. Her Atlantic recordings did not sell particularly well, until actor/director Clint Eastwood used a song from First Take, "The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face", written by Ewan MacColl, for the soundtrack of his directorial debut Play Misty for Me.

Atlantic rush-released the song as a single and it became the biggest hit of 1972,{{cite web|url=https://www.thetimes.com/uk/obituaries/article/roberta-flack-obituary-singer-who-fused-soul-jazz-and-folk-q6gsbmfmt |website=thetimes.com |title=The Times Register: Obituary Roberta Flack |date=25 February 2025 |access-date=28 February 2025}} spending six consecutive weeks at No. 1 and earning Flack a million-selling gold disc.{{cite book|first=Joseph|last=Murrells|year=1978|title=The Book of Golden Discs|edition=2nd|publisher=Barrie and Jenkins Ltd|location=London|page=[https://archive.org/details/bookofgoldendisc00murr/page/312 312]|isbn=0-214-20512-6|url=https://archive.org/details/bookofgoldendisc00murr/page/312}} "The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face" finished the year as Billboard's top song of 1972. The First Take album also went to No. 1 and eventually sold 1.9 million copies in the United States. Eastwood, who paid $2,000 for the use of the song in the film,{{Cite book |last=McGilligan |first=Patrick |author-link=Patrick McGilligan (biographer)|year=1999 |title=Clint: The Life and Legend |publisher=Harper Collins |isbn=0-00-638354-8|page=194}} remained an admirer and friend of Flack's ever after. The song was awarded the Grammy Award for Record of the Year and Song of the Year in 1973. In 1983, Flack recorded the end music to the Dirty Harry film Sudden Impact, at Eastwood's request.

File:Roberta Flack - Cash Box 1972.png, April 22, 1972]]

In 1972, Flack began recording regularly with Donny Hathaway, scoring hits such as the Grammy-winning "Where Is the Love" (1972) and later "The Closer I Get to You" (1978), both of which became million-selling gold singles. Flack and Hathaway recorded several duets together, including two LPs, until Hathaway's death in 1979.{{Cite web|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/music/2025/02/24/roberta-flack-dead-killing-me-softly-singer-grammy-winner/10819924002/|title=Roberta Flack, Grammy-winning singer of hit 'Killing Me Softly,' dies at 88|first=Melissa|last=Ruggieri|website=Usatoday.com|date=February 24, 2025 |access-date=February 24, 2025}} After his death, Flack released their final LP as Roberta Flack Featuring Donny Hathaway.{{cite news |last1=Sisario |first1=Ben |title=Roberta Flack's 11 Essential Songs |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2025/02/24/arts/music/roberta-flack-songs.html |access-date=February 24, 2025 |work=The New York Times |date=February 24, 2025}}

On her own, Flack scored her second No. 1 hit in 1973, "Killing Me Softly with His Song" written by Charles Fox, Norman Gimbel l, and Lori Lieberman.{{cite news |last=Pond |first=Steve |title=Singer's Career Was Softly Killed By Bad Luck And Insecurity |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=HJkRAAAAIBAJ&pg=6439%2C710421 |access-date=November 18, 2020 |newspaper=Deseret News |date=June 12, 1997 |page=C5 |archive-date=March 14, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220314155605/https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=HJkRAAAAIBAJ&pg=6439%2C710421 |url-status=live}} "Killing Me Softly" was awarded both Record of the Year and Best Pop Vocal Performance, Female, at the 1974 Grammy Awards. Its parent album was Flack's biggest-selling disc, eventually earning double platinum certification. In 1974, Flack released "Feel Like Makin' Love", which became her third and final No. 1 hit to date on the Hot 100 and her eighth million-seller. She produced the single and her 1975 album of the same name under the pseudonym Rubina Flake.{{cite magazine|title=Music: What Ever Happened to Rubina Flake?|url=http://content.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,917444,00.html|magazine=Time|access-date=August 22, 2015|date=May 12, 1975|archive-date=May 3, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150503115710/http://content.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,917444,00.html|url-status=live}} In 1974, Flack sang the lead on a Sherman Brothers song, "Freedom", which featured prominently at the opening and closing of the movie Huckleberry Finn.{{Cite journal|url=https://go.gale.com/ps/i.do?id=GALE%7CA642965125&sid=googleScholar&v=2.1&it=r&linkaccess=abs&issn=00253499&p=AONE&sw=w&userGroupName=anon~e9b51202&aty=open-web-entry|title=MGM's Huckleberry Finn Musical That Never Reached the Screen, Part 2.|first=R. Kent|last=Rasmussen|date=September 22, 2020|journal=Mark Twain Journal|volume=58|issue=2|pages=129–202|access-date=February 24, 2025|via=go.gale.com}} In the same year, she performed "When We Grow Up" with a teenage Michael Jackson on the television special Free to Be... You and Me,{{cite news|last1=Bishop|first1=Katie|title=Hearing 'Free To Be... You And Me' For The Very First Time|url=https://www.wnycstudios.org/podcasts/soundcheck/articles/250830-free-be-you-and-me-very-first-time|access-date=February 24, 2025|work=Soundcheck|date=November 15, 2012}} and a year later in 1975 performed two Johnny Marks songs, "To Love And Be Loved" and "When Autumn Comes", for the animated Christmas special The Tiny Tree.{{cite web|url=https://www.paleycenter.org/collection/item/?q=nbc&p=178&item=B:17761|title=Bell System Family Theatre: The Tiny Tree (TV)|website=Paleycenter.org|access-date=February 24, 2025}}{{Cite web|url=https://cartoonresearch.com/index.php/depatie-frelengs-the-tiny-tree-1975/|title=DePatie-Freleng's 'The Tiny Tree' (1975) |date=December 24, 2014|website=Cartoonresearch.com}} "Blue Lights in the Basement (1977) included a chart-topping duet with Hathaway on "The Closer I Get to You", and in 1978 they began working on on a second album of duets, which was half-completed when Hathaway, a paranoid schizophrenic who suffered mood swings and bouts of depression, took his own life in 1979. Flack, devastated, completed the album and it was released in 1980 as "Roberta Flack featuring Donny Hathaway".{{cite web|url=https://www.thetimes.com/uk/obituaries/article/roberta-flack-obituary-singer-who-fused-soul-jazz-and-folk-q6gsbmfmt |website=thetimes.com |title=The Times Register: Obituary Roberta Flack |date=25 February 2025 |access-date=28 February 2025}}

=1980–1991=

File:Roberta Flack.jpg

She found a new duetting partner in Peabo Bryson and they released "Live and More" in 1980.{{cite web|url=https://www.thetimes.com/uk/obituaries/article/roberta-flack-obituary-singer-who-fused-soul-jazz-and-folk-q6gsbmfmt |website=thetimes.com |title=The Times Register: Obituary Roberta Flack |date=25 February 2025 |access-date=28 February 2025}} "Born to Love" in 1983 produced a hit single, "Tonight, I Celebrate My Love", which reached No. 2 on the UK charts. Flack had a hit single in 1982 with "Making Love", written by Burt Bacharach (the title track of the 1982 film of the same name), which reached No. 13.

Flack continued to tour in the 1980s, often backed by a live orchestra.{{cite web|url=https://www.thetimes.com/uk/obituaries/article/roberta-flack-obituary-singer-who-fused-soul-jazz-and-folk-q6gsbmfmt |website=thetimes.com |title=The Times Register: Obituary Roberta Flack |date=25 February 2025 |access-date=28 February 2025}} In 1986 she sang the theme song "Together Through the Years" for the NBC television series Valerie, later known as The Hogan Family. The song was used throughout the show's six seasons. In 1987, Flack supplied the voice of Michael Jackson's mother in the 18-minute short film for "Bad".{{cite web |title=Bad by Michael Jackson |url=https://www.songfacts.com/facts/michael-jackson/bad |website=Songfacts |publisher=Songfacts, LLC |access-date=December 4, 2020 |archive-date=November 8, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201108103711/https://www.songfacts.com/facts/michael-jackson/bad |url-status=live}} Oasis was released in 1988 and failed to make an impact with pop audiences, though the title track reached No. 1 on the R&B chart and a remix of "Uh-Uh Ooh-Ooh Look Out (Here It Comes)" topped the dance chart in 1989, after failing to chart on the Billboard Hot 100.{{cite book |title= Top R&B/Hip-Hop Singles: 1942-2004|last=Whitburn |first=Joel |authorlink=Joel Whitburn |year=2004 |publisher=Record Research |page=207}}{{cite book |title= Hot Dance/Disco: 1974-2003|last=Whitburn |first=Joel |authorlink=Joel Whitburn |year=2004 |publisher=Record Research |page=100}}

In 1991, Flack found herself again in the US Top 10 with a cover of the Diane Warren-penned song "Set the Night to Music", performed as a duet with British-Jamaican reggae singer{{cite web|url=https://www.thetimes.com/uk/obituaries/article/roberta-flack-obituary-singer-who-fused-soul-jazz-and-folk-q6gsbmfmt |website=thetimes.com |title=The Times Register: Obituary Roberta Flack |date=25 February 2025 |access-date=28 February 2025}} Maxi Priest, that peaked at No. 6 on the Billboard Hot 100 charts and No. 2 AC.{{Cite web|url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/roberta-flack/chart-history/hsi/|title=Roberta Flack | Biography, Music & News|website=Billboard.com|access-date=February 24, 2025}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/roberta-flack/chart-history/asi/|title=Roberta Flack | Biography, Music & News|website=Billboard.com|access-date=February 24, 2025}} In 1996 The Fugees released a hip-hop remix of "Killing Me Softly".{{cite web|url=https://www.thetimes.com/uk/obituaries/article/roberta-flack-obituary-singer-who-fused-soul-jazz-and-folk-q6gsbmfmt |website=thetimes.com |title=The Times Register: Obituary Roberta Flack |date=25 February 2025 |access-date=28 February 2025}}

=Later career=

File:Roberta Flack 1.jpg

File:Roberta Flack in August 2013.jpg

In 1999, a star with Flack's name was placed on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. PBS, [https://www.pbs.org/wnet/americanmasters/roberta-flack-biography-and-career-timeline/25437/ Roberta Flack biography and career timeline], pbs.org, USA, January 17, 2023 In the same year, she gave a concert tour in South Africa. During her tour of the country, she performed "Killing Me Softly" for President Nelson Mandela at his home in Johannesburg.{{Cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/406802.stm|title=BBC News | Entertainment | Roberta sings softly for Mandela|website=News.bbc.co.uk|date=July 29, 1999|access-date=February 24, 2025}} In 2010, she appeared on the 52nd Annual Grammy Awards, singing a duet of "Where Is The Love" with Maxwell.{{cite web|url=https://www.cbc.ca/news2/arts/things-that-go-pop-blog/2010/01/gaga-for-grammys-lil-waynes-pants-pinks-stunts-and-other-highlights-from-musics-biggest-night.html|title=Gaga for Grammys: Lil' Wayne's pants, Pink's stunts and other highlights from music's biggest night|first=Sarah|last=Liss|date=January 31, 2010|website=Cbc.ca|access-date=February 24, 2025}}

Flack influenced the subgenre of contemporary R&B called quiet storm, and interpreted songs by songwriters such as Leonard Cohen and members of the Beatles.{{Cite news|last=Powers|first=Ann|date=February 10, 2020|title=Why Is Roberta Flack's Influence On Pop So Undervalued?|language=en|work=NPR|url=https://www.npr.org/2020/02/10/804370981/roberta-flack-the-virtuoso|access-date=November 1, 2021|archive-date=November 1, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211101213939/https://www.npr.org/2020/02/10/804370981/roberta-flack-the-virtuoso|url-status=live}}

In February 2012, Flack released Let It Be Roberta, an album of Beatles covers including "Hey Jude" and "Let It Be". It was her first recording in eight years.{{cite magazine |last1=Mitchell |first1=Gail |title=Six Questions With Roberta Flack |magazine=Billboard |date=February 18, 2012 |volume=124 |issue=6 |pages=26–27 |issn=0006-2510 |quote=On Feb. 7, the Grammy Award winner released her first project in eight years: Let It Be Roberta: Roberta Flack Sings the Beatles.}} Flack knew John Lennon and Yoko Ono, as both parties lived in The Dakota apartment building in New York City and had apartments next door to each other. Flack said that she had been asked to do a second album of Beatles covers.{{cite web|title=Roberta Flack's Long And Winding Road|url=https://www.npr.org/2012/02/18/146942636/roberta-flacks-long-and-winding-road|publisher=NPR|work=Weekend Edition Saturday|interviewer=Scott Simon|date=February 18, 2012|access-date=April 3, 2018|archive-date=July 1, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170701182056/http://www.npr.org/2012/02/18/146942636/roberta-flacks-long-and-winding-road|url-status=live}} In 2013, she was reported to be involved in an interpretative album of the Beatles' classics.{{cite web |url=http://www.robertaflack.com/biography.php |title=Roberta Flack Biography |publisher=Robertaflack.com |access-date=May 23, 2014 |archive-date=October 7, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131007203218/http://www.robertaflack.com/biography.php |url-status=live}}

At the age of 80, Flack recorded "Running" for the closing credits song of the 2018 feature documentary 3100: Run and Become with music and lyrics by Michael A. Levine.{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/pop/8481848/roberta-flack-running|title=Roberta Flack Returns With New Song 'Running': Premiere|last=Mitchell|first=Gail|date=October 26, 2018|magazine=Billboard|access-date=January 23, 2020|archive-date=November 1, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191101231111/https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/pop/8481848/roberta-flack-running|url-status=live}} She continued to perform into her eighties until she was diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and could no longer sing.{{cite web|url=https://www.thetimes.com/uk/obituaries/article/roberta-flack-obituary-singer-who-fused-soul-jazz-and-folk-q6gsbmfmt |website=thetimes.com |title=The Times Register: Obituary Roberta Flack |date=25 February 2025 |access-date=28 February 2025}}

Criticism

In 1971, The Village Voice critic Robert Christgau reported that "Flack is generally regarded as the most significant new black woman singer since Aretha Franklin, and at moments she sounds kind, intelligent, and very likable. But she often exhibits the gratuitous gentility you'd expect of someone who says 'between you and I'." Reviewing her body of work from the 1970s, he argued later that the singer "has nothing whatsoever to do with rock and roll or rhythm and blues and almost nothing to do with soul", comparing her middle-of-the-road aesthetic to Barry Manilow but with better taste, which he believed does not necessarily guarantee more enduring music: "In the long run, pop lies are improved by vulgarity."{{cite book|page=[https://archive.org/details/listenagainmomen00weis/page/183 183]|editor-last=Weisbard|editor-first=Eric|year=2007|title=Listen Again: A Momentary History of Pop Music|url=https://archive.org/details/listenagainmomen00weis|url-access=registration|publisher=Duke University Press|isbn=978-0822340416}}

Writer and music critic Ann Powers argued in a 2020 piece for NPR that "Flack's presence looms over both R&B and indie "bedroom" pop as if she were one of the astral beings in Ava DuVernay's version of A Wrinkle In Time." Jason King argued that she occupied a complex place in popular music, as "the nature of her power as a performer—to generate rapturous, spellbinding mood music and to plumb the depths of soulful heaviness by way of classically-informed technique—is not too easy to claim or make sense with the limited tools that we have in music criticism."

Flack's minimalist, classically trained approach to her songs was seen by a number of critics as lacking in grit and uncharacteristic of soul music. According to music scholar Jason King, her work was regularly described with the adjectives "boring", "depressing", "lifeless", "studied", and "calculated", although in contrast, AllMusic's Steve Huey said it had been described as "classy, urbane, reserved, smooth, and sophisticated".{{cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/artist/roberta-flack-mn0000290072/biography|title=Roberta Flack|date=n.d.|last=Huey|first=Steve|website=AllMusic|access-date=March 18, 2017|archive-date=April 19, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170419064759/http://www.allmusic.com/artist/roberta-flack-mn0000290072/biography|url-status=live}}

An obituary in February 2025 stated: "She sang with flawless diction and an elegant, understated power" in a voice that was "soft and sensual, creating a radio-friendly crossover between jazz, R&B and easy listening," and her classical training meant that she could accompany herself in any style on the piano.{{cite web|url=https://www.thetimes.com/uk/obituaries/article/roberta-flack-obituary-singer-who-fused-soul-jazz-and-folk-q6gsbmfmt |website=thetimes.com |title=The Times Register: Obituary Roberta Flack |date=25 February 2025 |access-date=28 February 2025}}

Personal life

Flack was a member of the Artist Empowerment Coalition, which advocated for artists to have the right to control their creative properties. She was also a spokeswoman for the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA); her appearance in commercials for the ASPCA featured "The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face". The Hyde Leadership Charter School in the Bronx, NYC, (now called Leaders In Our Neighborhood Charter School) ran an after-school music program called "The Roberta Flack School of Music" to provide free music education to underprivileged students in partnership with Flack, who founded the school.{{cite web |url=http://www.robertaflack.com/roberta-flack-school-of-music.php |title=Roberta Flack School of Music |publisher=Robertaflack.com |access-date=November 11, 2012 |archive-date=October 5, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101005190932/http://robertaflack.com/roberta-flack-school-of-music.php |url-status=live}} Flack was also an advocate for gay rights, stating that "Love is love. Between a man and a woman, between two men, between two women. Love is universal, like music."

From 1966 to 1972, she was married to Steve Novosel. Flack was the aunt of professional ice skater Rory Flack.{{cite web |last1=Jacobson |first1=Robert |title=Roberta Flack – Biography |url=http://www.encyclopedia.com/topic/Roberta_Flack.aspx#1 |website=encyclopedia.com |access-date=January 14, 2015 |archive-date=February 17, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150217131843/http://www.encyclopedia.com/topic/Roberta_Flack.aspx#1 |url-status=live}}{{cite news |last1=DeCurtis |first1=Anthony|author-link=Anthony DeCurtis |date=March 23, 1997 |title=Two Seasoned Voices, Together Raised for a Cause |website=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1997/03/23/arts/two-seasoned-voices-together-raised-for-a-cause.html |url-status=live |access-date=January 14, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170214232607/http://www.nytimes.com/1997/03/23/arts/two-seasoned-voices-together-raised-for-a-cause.html |archive-date=February 14, 2017}}{{cite web|url=https://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/Culture/roberta-flack-enduring-songstress-dies-age-88/story?id=103253751|title=Roberta Flack, enduring songstress, dies at the age of 88|first=Meredith|last=Deliso|website=ABC News|date=February 24, 2025|access-date=February 27, 2025}} She was also the godmother of musician Bernard Wright, who died in an accident on May 19, 2022.{{cite web|url=https://www.vibe.com/news/national/bernard-wright-dead-1234663868/|title=Bernard Wright, Funk And Jazz Singer And Godson Of Roberta Flack, Dead At 58|first=Mya|last=Abraham|website=Vibe|date=May 20, 2022|access-date=February 27, 2025}} For 40 years, Flack had an apartment in The Dakota building in New York City that was right next door to the apartment of Yoko Ono and John Lennon; their son, Sean, grew up calling her "Aunt Roberta".{{cite web|url=https://people.com/music/sean-lennon-recalls-growing-up-next-door-to-aunt-roberta-flack/|publisher=People Magazine|title=Sean Lennon Recalls Growing Up Next Door to 'Aunt' Roberta Flack: 'Coolest Neighbor in the World'|last=DeSantis|first=Rachel|date=November 16, 2022|access-date=February 24, 2025}} She also counted among her friends the activists Jesse Jackson and Angela Davis, as well as Maya Angelou, who co-wrote the song "And So It Goes" for Flack's 1988 album Oasis.{{cite magazine|url=https://time.com/132808/roberta-flack-maya-angelou/|title=Roberta Flack Remembers Maya Angelou: 'We All Have Been Inspired'|first= Nolan|last=Feeney|magazine=TIME|date=May 28, 2014|access-date=February 27, 2025}}

=Illness and death=

In 2018, Flack was appearing onstage at the Apollo Theater at a benefit for the Jazz Foundation of America when she became ill, left the stage and was rushed to the Harlem Hospital Center.{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2018/04/roberta-flack-falls-ill-at-apollo-theater-rushed-to-hospital-1202373558/|title=Roberta Flack Falls Ill At Apollo Theater, Rushed To Hospital|last=Haring|first=Bruce|date=April 20, 2018|work=Deadline Hollywood|access-date=April 21, 2018|archive-date=April 21, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180421072352/http://deadline.com/2018/04/roberta-flack-falls-ill-at-apollo-theater-rushed-to-hospital-1202373558/|url-status=live}} In a statement, her manager announced that Flack had had a stroke a few years prior and still was not feeling well, but was "doing fine" and was being kept overnight for medical observation.{{cite web|url=https://people.com/music/roberta-flack-rushed-hospital-performance-apollo-theater/|title=Singer Roberta Flack Rushed to the Hospital After She Fell Ill at the Apollo Theater|last=Fernandez|first=Alexia|date=April 21, 2018|work=People|access-date=April 21, 2018|archive-date=April 21, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180421083226/http://people.com/music/roberta-flack-rushed-hospital-performance-apollo-theater/|url-status=live}}

In late 2022, it was announced that Flack had been diagnosed with ALS and had retired from performing,{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-63630778|title=Roberta Flack is unable to sing after ALS diagnosis|date=November 14, 2022|via=www.bbc.co.uk}} as the disease was making it "impossible to sing".{{cite web|url=https://apnews.com/article/roberta-flack-als-diagnosis-403caf46fc277d8fddeb438a1f57979d|title=Roberta Flack has ALS, now 'impossible to sing,' rep says|work=Associated Press|date=November 14, 2022|access-date=November 14, 2022}}

Flack died of cardiac arrest on February 24, 2025,{{Cite news |title=Statement on the Death of Roberta Flack |url=https://nmaahc.si.edu/about/news/statement-death-roberta-flack|date=February 26, 2025|access-date=February 27, 2025 |website=National Museum of African American History and Culture|publisher=Smithsonian Institution |language=en}} on her way to a hospital in Manhattan. She was 88 years old.{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/2025/music/news/roberta-flack-singer-killing-me-softly-dead-1236318888/?|title=Roberta Flack, '70s R&B Vocalist Known for 'Killing Me Softly,' Dies at 88|website=Variety|first=Chris|last=Morris|author-link=Chris Morris (music writer)|access-date=February 24, 2025|date=February 24, 2025}}{{cite web|url=https://apnews.com/article/roberta-flack-dies-61ad9755cc7b4f37b29884adc49c9340|last=Italie|first=Hillel|publisher=AP News|title=Roberta Flack, Grammy-winning singer with an intimate style, dies at 88|date=February 24, 2025|access-date=February 24, 2025}}{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2025/02/24/arts/music/roberta-flack-dead.html|title=Roberta Flack, Virtuoso Singer-Pianist Who Ruled the Charts, Dies at 88|first=Giovanni|last=Russonello|newspaper=The New York Times|date=February 24, 2025}}

A memorial ceremony was held on March 10, 2025, at Abyssinian Baptist Church. Associated Press, [https://www.voanews.com/a/music-flows-in-roberta-flack-s-celebration-of-life-memorial-with-stevie-wonder-and-al-sharpton/8005968.html Music flows in Roberta Flack's 'Celebration of Life' memorial with Stevie Wonder and Al Sharpton], voanews.com, March 10, 2025 Lauryn Hill sang a tribute performance of "The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face" and, alongside Wyclef Jean and Stevie Wonder, "Killing Me Softly With His Song".{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xR0kQTvw0s4 |title=Stevie Wonder, Lauryn Hill & Wyclef Jean epic performance At Roberta flack Celebration Of Life |date=2025-03-11 |last=@DigitalTV |access-date=2025-03-12 |via=YouTube}} Stevie Wonder also sang “I Won’t Complain”, and Lisa Fischer sang “Somewhere”.{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F7uxnZqz-jI&feature=youtu.be |title=LAURYN HILL, STEVIE WONDER & WYCLEF JEAN Give ROBERTA FLACK MUSICAL TRIBUTE @ Her Funeral |date=2025-03-11 |last=GOSPEL ON DEMAND |access-date=2025-04-07 |via=YouTube}}

Accolades

On May 11, 2017, Roberta Flack received an honorary Doctorate degree in the Arts from Long Island University.{{Cite web |url=https://www.liu.edu/About/News/Univ-Ctr-PR/2017/June/Roberta-Flack-Inspires-Graduates-at-LIU-Brooklyn-Commencement |title=Roberta Flack Inspires Graduates at LIU Brooklyn Commencement |publisher=Long Island University|date=May 12, 2017 |access-date=January 1, 2020 |archive-date=January 1, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200101210454/https://www.liu.edu/About/News/Univ-Ctr-PR/2017/June/Roberta-Flack-Inspires-Graduates-at-LIU-Brooklyn-Commencement |url-status=live}} She was inducted into the North Carolina Music Hall of Fame in 2009.{{cite web|title=2009 Inductees|url=http://northcarolinamusichalloffame.org/category/inductees/2009-inductees/|publisher=North Carolina Music Hall of Fame|access-date=September 10, 2012|archive-date=March 22, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190322222813/https://northcarolinamusichalloffame.org/category/inductees/2009-inductees/|url-status=live}} In 2021, Flack was one of the first inductees into the Women Songwriters Hall of Fame.{{cite news|url=https://www.vanityfair.com/style/2021/06/the-women-songwriters-hall-of-fame-has-honored-its-first-class-of-inductees|author=Diop, Arimeta|title=The Women Songwriters Hall of Fame Has Honored Its First Class of Inductees|newspaper=Vanity Fair|date=June 29, 2021}}

On March 12, 2022, Flack was honored with the DAR Women in American History Award and a restored fire callbox in the Capitol Hill neighborhood of Washington D.C. commemorating her early-career connection to nearby Mr. Henry's neighborhood bar.{{Cite web |date=March 13, 2022 |title=Legendary Song Artist Roberta Flack Honored in Capitol Hill Ceremony – Photo Essay |url=https://capitolhillcorner.org/2022/03/13/legendary-song-artist-robert-flack-honored-in-capitol-hill-ceremony-photo-essay/ |access-date=March 13, 2022 |website=Capitol Hill Corner|first=Larry |last=Janezich |language=en |archive-date=March 13, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220313132841/https://capitolhillcorner.org/2022/03/13/legendary-song-artist-robert-flack-honored-in-capitol-hill-ceremony-photo-essay/ |url-status=live}}

On January 24, 2023, the PBS series American Masters opened its 37th season with an hour-long look at her career.{{cite web|url=https://www.pbs.org/wnet/americanmasters/roberta-flack-biography-and-career-timeline/25437/|title=Roberta Flack Timeline − Season 37 Episode 1|date=January 17, 2023|publisher=American Masters (PBS)|access-date=March 13, 2024}} On May 13, 2023, Flack received an honorary doctorate from Berklee College of Music.{{cite web|url=https://www.essence.com/news/money-career/usher-roberta-flack-doctorate-degrees-berklee/|title=Usher And Roberta Flack Now Have Doctorate Degrees|author=Browley, Jasmine|date=April 24, 2024|publisher=Essence|website=essence.com}}

=Grammy Awards=

The Grammy Awards are awarded annually by the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences. Flack received four awards from thirteen nominations.{{cite web|url=https://www.grammy.com/artists/roberta-flack/11487|title=Roberta Flack|publisher=Grammy Awards|access-date=November 11, 2012|archive-date=March 14, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220314155612/https://www.grammy.com/artists/roberta-flack/11487|url-status=live}}

|{{grammy|1972}} || "You've Got a Friend" (with Donny Hathaway) || Best R&B Vocal Performance by a Group || {{Nominated}}

|rowspan="3"| {{grammy|1973}} || "The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face" || Record of the Year || {{Won}}

| "Where Is the Love" (with Donny Hathaway) || Best Pop Vocal Performance by a Duo, Group or Chorus || {{Won}}

| Quiet Fire || Best Pop Vocal Performance, Female || {{Nominated}}

|rowspan="3"| {{grammy|1974}} || Killing Me Softly || Album of the Year || {{Nominated}}

|rowspan="2"| "Killing Me Softly with His Song" || Record of the Year || {{Won}}

| Best Pop Vocal Performance, Female || {{Won}}

|rowspan="2"| {{grammy|1975}}

|rowspan="2"| "Feel Like Makin' Love" || Record of the Year || {{Nominated}}

| Best Pop Vocal Performance, Female || {{Nominated}}

|| {{grammy|1979}} || "The Closer I Get to You" (with Donny Hathaway) || Best Pop Vocal Performance by a Duo or Group || {{Nominated}}

|rowspan="2"| {{grammy|1981}} || Roberta Flack Featuring Donny Hathaway || Best R&B Vocal Performance, Female || {{Nominated}}

| "Back Together Again" (with Donny Hathaway) || Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal || {{Nominated}}

|| {{grammy|1995}} || Roberta || Best Traditional Pop Vocal Performance || {{Nominated}}

| {{grammy|2020}} || Roberta Flack || Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award || {{Won}}

=American Music Awards=

The American Music Awards is an annual awards ceremony created by Dick Clark in 1973. Flack won the award for Best Soul/R&B Female Artist at the inaugural show in 1974.{{cite web |title=Roberta Flack |url=https://www.history.swannanoavalleymuseum.org/robertaflack/ |website=Swannanoa Valley Museum & History Center |access-date=February 24, 2025}}{{cite AV media |title=Roberta Flack Wins Soul/R&B Female Artist - AMA 1974 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WSPZi-8QjZ0 |date=1974 |via=YouTube |publisher=American Music Awards}}

|rowspan="3"| {{American Music Awards link|1974}} ||| || Favorite Female Artist (Pop/Rock) || {{Nominated}}{{cite news|title=American music awards Tuesday|date=February 15, 1974|newspaper=The Press Democrat|page=13|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-press-democrat/166738291/|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=February 26, 2025}}

| || Favorite Female Artist (Soul/R&B) || {{Won}}

| | "Killing Me Softly with His Song" || Favorite Single (Pop/Rock) || {{Nominated}}

|rowspan="2"| {{American Music Awards link|1975}} ||| || Favorite Female Artist (Soul/R&B) || {{Nominated}}{{cite magazine|title=American Music Awards: Rich Grabs 6 Nominations|magazine=Billboard|date=February 8, 1975|page=41|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=MREEAAAAMBAJ&pg=RA1-PA41|via=Google Books|access-date=February 26, 2025}}

| | "Feel Like Makin' Love" || Favorite Single (Soul/R&B) || {{Nominated}}

|| {{American Music Awards link|1979}} ||| || Favorite Female Artist (Soul/R&B) || {{Nominated}}{{cite news|title=Music award nominees|date=January 2, 1979|newspaper=The Press Democrat|page=3D|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-press-democrat/166738313/|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=February 26, 2025}}

Discography

First Take (1969)
Chapter Two (1970)
Quiet Fire (1971)
Roberta Flack & Donny Hathaway (with Donny Hathaway) (1972)
Killing Me Softly (1973)
Feel Like Makin' Love (1975)
Blue Lights in the Basement (1977)
Roberta Flack (1978)
Roberta Flack Featuring Donny Hathaway (1980)
I'm the One (1982)
Born to Love (1983) (with Peabo Bryson) (1983)
Oasis (1988)
Set the Night to Music (1991)
Stop the World (1992)
Roberta (1994)
The Christmas Album (1997)
Let It Be Roberta (2012)

Source:{{cite web|title=Robert Flack Discography|work=RobertaFlack.com|url=http://www.robertaflack.com/discography.php|access-date=February 26, 2025}}

Notes

Citations

General and cited references

{{Cite book |last1=Bryan |first1=Sarah |author2=Beverly Patterson |year=2013 |chapter=Roberta Flack |title=African American Trails of Eastern North Carolina |publisher=North Carolina Arts Council |page=92 |isbn=978-1469610795}}