Who was Rochelle Fleming? Meet the 'First Choice' singer whose disco hits reached audiences around the globe

Rochelle Fleming voice helped define the sound of 1970s disco and Philadelphia soul, while her songs continued to find new listeners decades after their release. Rochelle Fleming, the lead singer of the American vocal group First Choice, has died at the age of 72. Known for hits such as Armed and Extremely Dangerous and Let No Man Put Asunder, Fleming left a lasting mark on R&B, disco and dance music. Her death was announced by her manager, George Iz Correia, on social media. According to the announcement, Rochelle Fleming died on November 5, 2026, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Who was Rochelle Fleming?

Rochelle Fleming was an American R&B and disco singer best known as the founding lead vocalist of First Choice, a Philadelphia-based female vocal group that became popular during the 1970s. She began singing while attending Overbrook High School in Philadelphia. Along with fellow students Annette Guest and Wardell Piper, she formed a group initially known as the Debonettes.

The young singers performed locally and eventually caught the attention of Philadelphia radio personality Georgie Woods. He helped connect them with producer Norman Harris and songwriter Allan Felder. The group later adopted the name First Choice and began its journey in the music industry. According to music publication AllMusic, Fleming had one of the most distinctive voices of the disco era, helping the group stand out during a period when Philadelphia soul was gaining popularity.

First Choice's biggest hits and music career

First Choice gained national attention in 1973 with Armed and Extremely Dangerous. The song reached No. 11 on the US Billboard R&B chart and No. 28 on the Billboard Hot 100. The group followed it with popular tracks such as Smarty Pants, The Player and Guilty. However, it was their later work with producer Norman Harris and the Gold Mind and Salsoul record labels that strengthened their place in disco history.

Their 1977 album Delusions featured songs including Doctor Love and Let No Man Put Asunder. The latter went on to become one of the group's best-known recordings and gained a new following among dance music fans. According to Resident Advisor, Let No Man Put Asunder became a favourite in early house music and was later covered by singer Mary J. Blige in 1999.

How Rochelle Fleming influenced later generations

Fleming's contribution to music continued long after First Choice split around 1980. Her recordings were remixed, sampled and played by DJs, introducing her voice to audiences beyond the original disco era. She also continued recording as a solo artist, releasing dance tracks such as Love Itch, Danger! and Suffer the Consequences.

In 2014, Fleming reunited with former First Choice members Annette Guest, Wardell Piper and Ursula Herring for a performance at New York's East River Bandshell. Announcing her death, manager George Iz Correia shared a tribute on behalf of her family: “She brought light, laughter and love to the world.” Although First Choice's original run lasted less than a decade, Fleming's voice continued to reach dance floors across generations. Her recordings remain an important part of the history of disco and Philadelphia soul.