The 'Killing Me Softly with His Song' hitmaker has been diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, a neurodegenerative condition also known as motor neuron disease which affects the brain and nerves.
- November 15, 2022
AceShowbiz - Roberta Flack has been left unable to sing after being diagnosed with ALS. The 85-year-old star shares she now finds it "impossible" to sing, according to her manager Suzanne Koga, after being diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, a neurodegenerative condition also known as motor neuron disease which affects the brain and nerves.
In a press statement, the "Killing Me Softly with His Song" hitmaker said, "ALS has made it impossible to sing and not easy to speak. But it will take a lot more than ALS to silence this icon! But Roberta plans to stay active in her musical and creative pursuits."
The news comes just days before the "Feel Like Makin' Love" songstress is due to premiere a self-titled documentary about her life Thursday, November 17 at the DOC NYC Film Festival.
"The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face" hitmaker, who started playing piano at the age of nine and was considered a child prodigy after being offered a music scholarship to Howard University at the age of just 15, also tell her story in the form of a children's book because she wants the younger generation to know that "dreams can come true" with hard work and self-belief.
"I have long dreamed of telling my story to children about that first green piano that my father got for me from the junkyard in the hope that they would be inspired to reach for their dreams. I want them to know that dreams can come true with persistence, encouragement from family and friends, and most of all belief in yourself," she revealed.
