{"id":911811,"date":"2026-11-10T00:24:13","date_gmt":"2026-11-10T00:24:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/911811\/"},"modified":"2026-11-10T00:24:13","modified_gmt":"2026-11-10T00:24:13","slug":"rb-and-disco-legend-rochelle-fleming-dead-at-72","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/911811\/","title":{"rendered":"R&B and disco legend Rochelle Fleming dead at 72"},"content":{"rendered":"

First Choice lead singer Rochelle Fleming has died<\/a>. She was 72.<\/p>\n

The R&B and disco legend passed away on Thursday in Philadelphia, according to a statement shared via her Instagram<\/a> the following day.<\/p>\n

\u201cShe bought light, laughter and love to the world,\u201d the Friday announcement read.<\/p>\n

Rochelle Fleming (seen above in September) has died at the age of 72. Rochelle Fleming\/Facebook<\/p>\n

The R&B and disco legend passed away on Nov. 5, per an Instagram statement. rochelle_fleming\/Instagram<\/p>\n

A cause of death has not been revealed at this time.<\/p>\n

Fleming\u2019s longtime manager, George Iz Correia, mourned her in a social media statement<\/a>, writing, \u201cAlthough my heartbreak is unbearable and the gravity of the situation hit at the most sporadic times, I have so many wonderful memories with Rochelle that I can\u2019t help but smile with immense gratitude.\u201d<\/p>\n

Correia praised Fleming\u2019s kind heart, saying she \u201cnever uttered a harsh word about anyone \u2026 unless you were chewing gum.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cShe despised referring to her supporters as \u2018fans.\u2019 You were ALL known affectionately as her \u2018sweeties,’\u201d Correia stated, sharing that the \u201cLove Itch\u201d songstress would not want anyone \u201csad during this time.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSo let\u2019s continue to celebrate her and the legacy of \u2018First Choice\u2019s\u2019 music,\u201d he added, before signing off, \u201cSleep on Ro, I love and miss you. Love, \u2018G.’\u201d<\/p>\n

Fleming was also mourned by Christian Hope Baptist Church, which she attended as a child and \u201cremained a faithful member all her life.\u201d<\/p>\n

A cause of death wasn\u2019t immediately revealed. (Seen above: Fleming in May.) Rochelle Fleming\/Facebook<\/p>\n

Fleming was the lead singer of First Choice and is seen here performing on June 21, 1979. Getty Images<\/p>\n

\u201cEven as a world-renowned artist, she always came home,\u201d a spokesperson for the Philadelphia-based church wrote via Facebook<\/a>, explaining how Fleming sang in the choir leading up to her death.<\/p>\n

\u201cHer voice stirred our spirits, moved us to tears, and lifted us into praise,\u201d the statement read. \u201cWe looked forward to those moments, and we will carry them with us always.\u201d<\/p>\n

Fleming was born in 1950 in Philadelphia, where she was raised. <\/p>\n

The music group formed in 1971. Redferns<\/p>\n

They released several hits, including \u201cArmed and Extremely Dangerous\u201d in 1973. (Seen above: Fleming performing in NYC in 2019.) Getty Images<\/p>\n

The music icon founded the disco group First Choice alongside Annette Guest, Wardell Piper and Malanie McSears in 1971.<\/p>\n

The girl group released their R&B breakout track \u201cArmed and Extremely Dangerous\u201d in 1973, followed by their US Billboard chart-topping song \u201cThe Player (Part 1)\u201d in 1974.<\/p>\n

Several of their greatest hits also include \u201cSmarty Pants\u201d (1973), \u201cDoctor Live\u201d (1977) and \u201cLet No Man Put Asunder\u201d (1977).<\/p>\n

Fleming (seen above in 1979) embarked on her solo career in 1980. Getty Images<\/p>\n

The music legend was a longtime member of the Christian Hope Baptist Church choir. Christian Hope Baptist Church\/Facebook<\/p>\n

The group split in 1980, at which point Fleming embarked on her solo career.<\/p>\n

In the years that followed, the hitmaker released several anthems, including \u201cLove Itch\u201d (1985), \u201cDanger!\u201d (1994) and \u201cSuffer (The Consequences)\u201d (1995). <\/p>\n

Fleming\u2019s final track release was the 2025 collab with Terry Hunter, \u201cBalls 2 Bounce,\u201d and one of her last on-stage appearance was in 2019 in New York City.<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\t\t