Roberta Flack achieved a rare milestone in popular music by becoming the first artist to secure the Grammy Award for Record of the Year in two consecutive years. Her career, defined by a sophisticated fusion of soul, jazz, and folk, established her as a pivotal figure who bridged the gap between classical piano training and mainstream pop success.
Formative Years and Education
Born in 1937 in Black Mountain, she grew up in a musical environment influenced by her parents, a jazz pianist and a church organist. She began formal piano training at nine and demonstrated early aptitude for classical music. At 15, she enrolled at Howard University, where she studied as one of the youngest students in the institution's history. Initially focused on classical piano, she transitioned to voice and gained experience as an assistant choir conductor before graduating at 19. Subsequent studies at the University of Massachusetts preceded her career as a teacher.
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After working as a teacher in Farmville and Washington, D.C., Flack cultivated her performing skills in nightclubs. She frequently provided her own piano accompaniment during performances at venues like Mr. Henry's Restaurant. Her professional trajectory shifted significantly after she was discovered by Les McCann, leading to an audition for Atlantic Records. Her debut album, First Take, was recorded in 10 hours in 1969 and showcased an elegant blend of genres that defined her subsequent studio output.
Commercial Breakthrough and Collaborations
Her commercial ascent was accelerated when Clint Eastwood featured her version of 'The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face' in his film Play Misty for Me. The song reached the top of the Billboard Hot 100 in 1972, spending six weeks at the number one position. Throughout the 1970s, she maintained a successful partnership with Donny Hathaway, releasing duets such as 'Where Is the Love' and 'The Closer I Get to You'. Her portfolio also includes chart-topping hits like 'Killing Me Softly with His Song' and 'Feel Like Makin' Love'.
Legacy and Honors
Flack’s industry contributions earned her multiple accolades, including the 1973 Grammy Award for Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals and the 1974 Grammy Award for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance. In 2020, she received the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award. She remained active in the music industry for decades before her death in 2025 in New York City. She is buried at Oak Hill Cemetery.
Fast facts
- Born: 1937, Black Mountain
- Died: 2025, New York City
- Education: Howard University, University of Massachusetts
- First Grammy for Record of the Year: 1973
- Second Grammy for Record of the Year: 1974
- Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award: 2020
Questions readers ask
Which collaborations defined her career?
Her most prominent partnership was with Donny Hathaway, with whom she recorded hits like 'Where Is the Love' and 'The Closer I Get to You'.
What song launched her to mainstream success?
Her version of 'The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face', which became the biggest hit of 1972 after appearing in the film Play Misty for Me.
Achievements
- Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award — 2020
- Grammy Award for Record of the Year — 1974
- Grammy Award for Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals — 1973
- Grammy Award for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance — 1974
- Notable work: The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face
- Notable work: Where Is the Love
- Notable work: Killing Me Softly with His Song
- Notable work: Feel Like Makin' Love
- Instruments: piano, voice and electronic keyboard
- Genres: soul, jazz and adult contemporary music
