‘Killing Me Softly’ singer Roberta Flack has ALS that makes it ‘impossible to sing’
Roberta Flack, who died Monday, was diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis in 1994. She was just 43 when she announced she had the disease months later. Her death coincides with the release of her new album “Killing Me Softly with His Song.” “Killing Me Softly” is a collection of original songs written by the late musician Bob Dylan and inspired by his legendary 1965 song “Maggie’s Farm.”
Flack, who was also an actress, said this month in a Facebook statement, “Someday the body I have will no longer be able to function. Some day the memory I have will no longer be my own. Then I will simply be gone.”
She did not elaborate on what form her disease would take, but “Killing Me Softly” is set to be published May 19.
FLACK’S LAST DAYS
Flack released five albums during a career that spanned a quarter century, but her music didn’t catch on at first. However, she had a huge impact on the country-rock scene when she appeared at Bob Dylan’s final concert on Aug. 22, 1966.
Flack was nominated for two Grammys for her performances of the Dylan songs “Baby, Let’s Play House” and “The Lonesome Death of Hattie Lee.” She won three GMA Dove Awards for her albums “Songs My Father Has Told Me” (1992) and “The Very Best of Roberta Flack, Vol. 2” (1997).
FLACK’S FATHER
Flack’s father, Robert Flack, began to suffer debilitating headaches in 1965 after giving a talk at the Free University in Amsterdam. Robert Flack would die of a stroke the following year.
The Flacks moved to Hollywood in 1969
