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Roberta Flack, the iconic singer and songwriter known for her chart-toppers such as “Killing Me Softly” and “Tonight I Celebrate My Love,” has graced stages worldwide for many years, enchanting audiences with her golden voice. However, it seems her remarkable singing talent has faded away due to a recent ALS diagnosis. In this article, we’ll explore her journey and shed light on other celebrities facing the challenges of this disease.
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ALS, short for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, is a “progressive neurodegenerative condition” commonly referred to as Lou Gehrig’s disease. This name is in honor of the legendary New York Yankees baseball player, Lou Gehrig, who played for 17 years.
During the 1938 season, Lou Gehrig began to exhibit signs of weakness and fatigue, which gradually intensified. Ultimately, he received the diagnosis of the disease now named after him, ALS.
So, what exactly occurs in ALS? According to official descriptions, it’s a condition in which nerve cells deteriorate, leading to a reduction in muscle function. The cause remains unknown, with the primary symptom being muscle weakness. While medication and therapy can help slow down the progression of ALS and alleviate discomfort, a cure remains elusive. Although ALS is considered rare, it has affected several notable figures, including physicist and author Stephen Hawking, actor David Niven, boxing champion Ezzard Charles, former U.S. Vice President Henry A. Wallace, and NFL football player Tim Shaw.
Roberta Flack has now joined the ranks of those battling this disease. TMZ recently reported that she has been facing this challenge for an undisclosed period, with her representatives confirming that her ALS has severely impaired her ability to speak, let alone sing.
Flack had plans for promoting her upcoming children’s book and a PBS documentary titled “Roberta” in the coming year. The feature-length documentary, directed by filmmaker Antonino D’Ambrosio, is set to debut at the DOCNYC film festival this Thursday and will subsequently air on television in January as part of PBS’ “American Masters” series in 2023. Notably, 2023 marks the 50th anniversary of her hit single “Killing Me Softly.”
In 2018, Flack experienced a health scare during a performance at the Apollo Theater. While it’s unclear if she was already contending with ALS at the time, the symptoms described align with those associated with the disease. The singer reportedly felt unwell and dizzy and was rumored to have collapsed. Given her previous stroke in 2016, the incident was understandably concerning for her team. She was participating in a charity concert for the Jazz Foundation of America.
The news has come as a shock to Roberta’s fans, but her team has provided reassurance that this icon will discover fresh avenues to remain engaged. In a press release, her manager, Suzanne Koga, stated, “It will require much more than ALS to quiet this legendary artist.”
Furthermore, Roberta Flack intends to maintain her involvement in music and creative endeavors through her eponymous foundation and other initiatives.
