Make Page Six a Preferred Source First Choice lead singer Rochelle Fleming has died. She was 72.
The R&B and disco legend passed away on Thursday in Philadelphia, according to a statement shared via her Instagram the following day.
“She bought light, laughter and love to the world,” the Friday announcement read.
A cause of death has not been revealed at this time.
Fleming’s longtime manager, George Iz Correia, mourned her in a social media statement, writing, “Although 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’t help but smile with immense gratitude.”
Correia praised Fleming’s kind heart, saying she “never uttered a harsh word about anyone … unless you were chewing gum.”
“She despised referring to her supporters as ‘fans.’ You were ALL known affectionately as her ‘sweeties,'” Correia stated, sharing that the “Love Itch” songstress would not want anyone “sad during this time.”
“So let’s continue to celebrate her and the legacy of ‘First Choice’s’ music,” he added, before signing off, “Sleep on Ro, I love and miss you. Love, ‘G.'”
Fleming was also mourned by Christian Hope Baptist Church, which she attended as a child and “remained a faithful member all her life.”
“Even as a world-renowned artist, she always came home,” a spokesperson for the Philadelphia-based church wrote via Facebook, explaining how Fleming sang in the choir leading up to her death.
“Her voice stirred our spirits, moved us to tears, and lifted us into praise,” the statement read. “We looked forward to those moments, and we will carry them with us always.”
Fleming was born in 1950 in Philadelphia, where she was raised.
The music icon founded the disco group First Choice alongside Annette Guest, Wardell Piper and Malanie McSears in 1971.
The girl group released their R&B breakout track “Armed and Extremely Dangerous” in 1973, followed by their US Billboard chart-topping song “The Player (Part 1)” in 1974.
Several of their greatest hits also include “Smarty Pants” (1973), “Doctor Live” (1977) and “Let No Man Put Asunder” (1977).
The group split in 1980, at which point Fleming embarked on her solo career.
In the years that followed, the hitmaker released several anthems, including “Love Itch” (1985), “Danger!” (1994) and “Suffer (The Consequences)” (1995).
Fleming’s final track release was the 2025 collab with Terry Hunter, “Balls 2 Bounce,” and one of her last on-stage appearance was in 2019 in New York City.
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