Rochelle Fleming, lead singer of the women-only R&B group First Choice, has died. She was 72.
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Fleming co-founded First Choice in her native Philadelphia in 1971.
Their 1973 single "Armed and Extremely Dangerous" hit No. 11 on the US R&B chart and No. 28 on the Billboard Hot 100. Their 1977 track "Let No Man Put Asunder" became a massive house music hit and was later covered by Mary J. Blige.
First Choice members were later inducted into the Legends of Vinyl Artists Hall of Fame.
Fleming embarked on a solo career when First Choice split up in 1980.
"The Christian Hope Baptist Church family is heartbroken at the passing of our beloved Sister Rochelle Fleming,"
Christian Hope Baptist Church shared on Facebook. "We give thanks to God for her life, her voice, and the many years she shared both with us."The world knew Rochelle as the founding member and lead singer of Philadelphia's own Frist Choice, whose music reached audiences across the globe," the statement continued. "We knew her first as one of our own. She came to Christian Hope as a child with her family and remained a faithful member all her life. Even as a world-renowned artist, she always came home. She kept serving and sharing her gift right here in service to the Lord."
Fans Mourn First Choice Singer Rochelle Fleming
Tributes to the late singer have begun pouring in online.
"One of the most cherished voices (and moments) of my lifetime, and forever one of my favorites," famed DJ Tedd Patterson wrote on Instagram, adding, "Big Love to Rochelle. You got the job done. Rest in peace."
"Such an unsung group. First Choice had bangers," a fan wrote on X (formerly Twitter).
"One of the greatest in R&B, Disco, and House music has left us," Lenny Fontana
wrote on Facebook. "The lead singer of the First Choice of Salsoul Records. Rochelle Fleming. She is probably one of the most sampled in current dance music as you will hear her voice on so many recordings. A humble person and to us an ICON! Rest in Eternal Peace as we all loved you."
