Rochelle Fleming, Singer Behind First Choice’s Disco and House Classics, Dies at 72

Rochelle Fleming, founding member and lead singer of First Choice, helped shape disco and house music with recordings including “Doctor Love,” “Love Thang” and “Let No Man Put Asunder.” Fleming died Nov. 5 in Philadelphia at age 72. (Photo courtesy of BMG)

Rochelle Fleming's voice helped define disco in the 1970s. It was still filling dance floors decades later.

The lead singer and founding member of Philadelphia R&B group First Choice, whose recordings became essential building blocks of house music and influenced generations of artists, died Nov. 5 in Philadelphia. She was 72.

Her longtime manager, George Iz Correia, announced her death on behalf of the Fleming-Finney family. No cause was disclosed, and arrangements for a celebration of her life have not been announced.

Fleming rose to fame with First Choice, the vocal group behind "Armed and Extremely Dangerous," "Smarty Pants," "The Player," "Doctor Love" and "Let No Man Put Asunder."

LISTEN: First Choice's "Let No Man Put Asunder," featuring Rochelle Fleming's lead vocals, became a touchstone of house music. Listen on YouTube. Audio provided through BMG Rights Management.

But the full measure of her influence extends well beyond the group's original run.

"Let No Man Put Asunder," recorded for First Choice's 1977 album "Delusions," became a defining record in house music as DJs and producers introduced it to new audiences through remixes, sampling and reinterpretation.

Mary J. Blige later recorded her own version for her 1999 album "Mary."

And First Choice's influence extended into another generation of hip-hop and electronic music. J. Cole sampled "Wake Up to Me" on his 2019 hit "Middle Child," while Kaytranada drew from "Love Thang" for "10%," his collaboration with Kali Uchis that won a Grammy for best dance recording.

For listeners who knew those later records but not the original group, Fleming's voice had been part of the soundtrack all along.

Born in Philadelphia in 1954, Fleming began singing with schoolmates Annette Guest and Wardell Piper. The group, initially known as the Debonettes, eventually became First Choice.

Their breakthrough came with 1973's "Armed and Extremely Dangerous," which reached No. 11 on Billboard's R&B chart and crossed over to the pop market.

Working with Philadelphia producer Norman Harris, the group helped bridge the soulful harmonies of the early 1970s and the rhythm-driven disco sound that followed.

Fleming's commanding vocals remained central to that identity as First Choice recorded for labels including Philly Groove and Gold Mind, the latter associated with Salsoul Records.

The group disbanded in 1980, but its music continued to circulate through dance clubs, remixes and subsequent recordings.

Fleming pursued a solo career, recording songs including "Love Itch" and "Danger!" She also continued performing, preserving the musical legacy of First Choice while finding audiences who had discovered the group long after its initial success.

BMG, which represents part of the group's catalog through Salsoul, paid tribute Monday, describing Fleming as an artist whose recordings helped shape Philadelphia soul, disco and dance music.

Remembering Rochelle Fleming

BMG, which represents part of First Choice's catalog through Salsoul, has published an official tribute tracing Fleming's influence from Philadelphia soul and disco to house music.

Read BMG's tribute

Dan Baxter, the company's senior vice president of global catalog recordings, said the songs continued reaching new listeners through remixes and samples.

"Her voice and the joy it brought to so many will not be forgotten," Baxter said.

Fellow Philadelphia group Sister Sledge also mourned Fleming, praising her soulful voice and the music she left behind.

Her manager remembered someone who preferred to call her supporters "sweeties" rather than fans.

Some knew Fleming from First Choice's original hits. Others discovered her decades later through house music, remixes and hip-hop samples.

Nearly half a century after "Let No Man Put Asunder" was recorded, her voice was still filling dance floors.