After being diagnosed with ALS, popularly known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, Grammy-winning performer Roberta Flack is unable to sing.
Her manager stated on Monday that the Killing Me Softly with His Song star is also having trouble speaking.
85-year-old Flack has won four Grammys and has been nominated for fourteen more.
Next week in New York, a documentary about her life will debut. In January, she also intends to publish a book for children.
In addition to Killing Me Softly – which was later covered by musician Lauryn Hill – Roberta Flack is known for songs such as The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face and Feel Like Makin’ Love.
Her condition, Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), “has rendered it impossible for her to sing and difficult for her to speak,” according to a statement released by her management.
“But it will take more than ALS to silence this icon,” they said, adding that she “plans to remain active in her musical and artistic endeavors.”
ALS, also known as motor neuron disease, has no known treatment (MND). It is caused by the degeneration of the nerves that carry messages from the brain to the muscles. It affects their mobility, speech, and even their ability to breathe.
The timing of Flack’s film and book releases next year will coincide with the 50th anniversary of her fourth album Killing Me Softly With His Song, which was released in 1973.
After suffering a stroke in 2016, the singer told the Associated Press that she wants her songs to be remembered as “classics” rather than merely “old hits.”
Flack stated, “I could easily sing any of the songs I’ve recorded over the years, but I’ll choose the ones that move me.”
“This is a difficult task. To be moved, and to be continually moved by your songs.”
