Disco Singer Rochelle Fleming of First Choice Dies at 72

Rochelle Fleming, the lead singer of the Philadelphia soul and disco group First Choice, has died at 72. Fleming died on November 5 in her hometown of Philadelphia, according to a statement posted on her Instagram account on November 9. Her manager, George Iz Correia, delivered the news on behalf of the Fleming-Finney family.

From school friends to disco hitmakers

The group began as the Debonettes and included Fleming, Annette Guest, Wardell Piper and Malanie McSears. The trio formed First Choice in 1971 while students at Overbrook High School in Philadelphia. McSears soon left, and Piper dropped out before the 1973 release of the debut album Armed and Extremely Dangerous; she was replaced by Joyce Jones.

The group had hits with "The Player," "Doctor Love," "Guilty," "Love Thang" and "Let No Man Put Asunder." Working with producer Norman Harris, First Choice also recorded for Gold Mind, a label associated with Salsoul. Its 1977 album Delusions featured "Doctor Love" and "Let No Man Put Asunder."

Influence on dance music

BMG, which represents part of First Choice's catalogue through Salsoul, said Fleming's vocals gave the group's recordings their distinctive character. The label said the songs helped bridge Philadelphia soul, disco and the emerging sound of house music. "Let No Man Put Asunder" in particular has been reworked through remixes, samples and reinterpretations by generations of DJs and producers.

House DJ Lenny Fontana wrote in a November 6 social media post that Fleming is "probably one of the most sampled in current dance music." Sister Sledge, also a Philadelphia-born group, remembered her in a November 9 post for her "beautifully soulful voice and music."

Solo work and tributes

The group split in 1980. Fleming tried to revive it in the 1980s with cousin Laconya Fleming and Lawrence Cotell, but that effort was short-lived. As a solo artist she released songs including "Love Itch," "It's Not Over" and "Nobody's Fool."

Dan Baxter, senior vice president of global catalogue recordings at BMG, said Fleming was a remarkable singer whose records with First Choice have had a lasting influence on dance music. BMG said its condolences go to her family, friends and fellow members of First Choice.

No service details have been announced. Correia said services to celebrate her life will be announced at a later date.