Flack died on Monday, Feb. 24, while surrounded by family, her publicist confirmed toEntertainment Weekly.
No cause of death was cited.
Born in North Carolina to musical parents, Flack learned to play the piano at 9.
Roberta Flack.Credit:Anthony Barboza/Getty
A graduate by age 19, the classically trained pianist and singer aspired to become an opera singer.
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“He called me at home in Alexandria, Virginia.
Roberta Flack in 1981.Paul Natkin/Getty
I couldnt believe Clint Eastwood was calling me.
I almost passed out!”
I told him OK, but that I wanted to re-record it because I thought it was too slow.
He said: No, its not.'"
Later, Flack would be honored for her influential contributions to music across genres.
Two years later,Roberta, a long-overdue documentary about her place in music history, premiered.
Its not like Im trying to sound like somebody else or be somebody else.
Im happy to be Roberta Flack.
Im happy to sound like I do.
So that feels good.
Im very satisfied with that."
