Rochelle Fleming, the founder and lead singer of the 1970s R&B group First Choice, has died at 72. She died on November 5 in Philadelphia, according to a post on her official Instagram page written by her manager, George Correia, the Jamaica Observer reported.
No cause of death was given. Her manager's post said services to celebrate her life will be announced later.
From High School Group to Philly Soul Hitmakers
Fleming started singing in high school with Annette Guest and Wardel Piper in a group called the Debonettes. The trio later renamed itself First Choice and became part of the Philadelphia soul sound of the 1970s.
Their breakthrough came in 1973 with "Armed and Extremely Dangerous," their first charting single. It reached No. 11 on Billboard's R&B chart, No. 28 on the Hot 100, and No. 19 in the United Kingdom.
As disco took hold, First Choice found new success with dance tracks including "Smarty Pants" and "Doctor Love." Their best-known song, "Let No Man Put Asunder," became a dance-floor classic and was later covered by Mary J. Blige in the 1990s.
Guest and Piper eventually left, and the lineup changed several times, but Fleming remained the group's lead voice. First Choice broke up in 1980.
A Global Reach
First Choice's music traveled well beyond Philadelphia. In Jamaica, for example, album tracks such as "I Love You More Than Before" and "A Boy Named Junior" became radio favorites, according to the Jamaica Observer.
Song
Highlight
"Armed and Extremely Dangerous" (1973)
First charting single: No. 11 R&B, No. 28 Hot 100, No. 19 UK
"Smarty Pants"
Disco-era hit
"Doctor Love"
Disco-era hit
"Let No Man Put Asunder"
Dance classic, later covered by Mary J. Blige
Remembered for Her Voice and Warmth
In announcing her death, Fleming's manager described her as someone who "brought light, laughter and love to the world." The post referred to her as Rochelle Fleming-Finney.
Details of her memorial services have not yet been announced.