First Choice Singer Rochelle Fleming Dies at 72

Rochelle Fleming, frontwoman and a founding member of the Philadelphia disco group First Choice, died on November 5 in Philadelphia. She was 72. Her death was announced through a post on her Instagram account; no cause was given. Details of a service are to be announced later.

Fleming helped form First Choice in 1971 with Annette Guest, Wardell Piper and Malanie McSears. The group had a breakthrough with “Armed and Extremely Dangerous” in 1973, followed by “The Player (Part 1),” which reached the top of a U.S. Billboard chart in 1974.

Other First Choice songs included “Smarty Pants,” “Doctor Love” and “Let No Man Put Asunder.” The latter became a fixture in Chicago’s club culture following reworks from Shep Pettibone and Frankie Knuckles. First Choice later split, and Fleming pursued a solo career, releasing songs including “Love Itch” in 1985 and “Danger!” in 1994.

Fleming’s manager remembered her in a social media tribute, and Christian Hope Baptist Church in Philadelphia also honored her. The church said she had been a member since childhood, sang in its choir, and continued to return despite her career as an artist. Fleming’s final released track was a 2025 collaboration with Terry Hunter, “Balls 2 Bounce.” One of her last stage appearances was in New York City in 2019.