Roberta Flack can no longer sing following ALS diagnosis

Virgin Radio

15 Nov 2022, 10:49

Roberta Flack has been diagnosed with ALS and is now unable to sing.

The sad news was confirmed by a spokesperson for the star, who is best known for her songs The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face and Killing Me Softly with His Song.

Her team released a statement yesterday (November 14) detailing her condition and the impact it has had.

ALS is also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, and it is not known how long ago Flack was diagnosed with it.

The representative said it is now “impossible to sing and not easy to speak”.

The statement continues, saying “ut will take a lot more than ALS to silence this icon” and confirmed Flack will still be “active in her musical and creative pursuits”.

This includes her animal welfare and music education foundation.

The statement continued: “[Flack’s] fortitude and joyful embrace of music that lifted her from modest circumstances to the international spotlight remain vibrant and inspired… It will take a lot more than ALS to silence this icon.”

She is also working on a children’s book, called The Green Piano: How Little Me Found Music.

Flack has teamed up with author Tonya Bolden for the project.

A book and documentary will be released in January 2023, called Roberta.

It will document her life, directed by Antonino D’Ambrosio.

The release will also coincide with the 50th anniversary of her hugely popular album, Killing Me Softly, which was released in 1973 and went on to win a Grammy.