When do memorial services take place?

Services to celebrate her life will be announced at a later date by her family and management.

What were First Choice's biggest chart hits?

Their notable charting singles included "Armed and Extremely Dangerous," "The Player — Part 1," and "Doctor Love," all landing on the Billboard Hot 100.

Rochelle Fleming-Finney, Co-Founder of Pioneering Disco Group First Choice, Dies at 72

Rochelle Fleming-Finney, the powerhouse lead vocalist and co-founder of the pioneering disco and R&B vocal group First Choice, died on November 5, 2026, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania at the age of 72. Her manager and spokesperson, George Iz Correia, confirmed the passing on behalf of the Fleming/Finney family, stating that a celebration of life service will be announced at a later date.

While Billboard reports her birth date as February 11, 1954, The Times of India notes her birth date as February 11, 1950. The specific cause of death was not revealed to the public at the time of reporting.

How did Rochelle Fleming shape the sound of early disco?

Rochelle Fleming-Finney formed her first high school vocal group, the Debonettes, alongside Annette Guest and Wardell Piper at Overbrook High School in Philadelphia before renaming the act First Choice. Signed initially to Philly Groove Records, then Warner Bros. Records, and later associated with Salsoul Records, the trio became a cornerstone of early disco and Philadelphia soul.

The group made its album debut with 1973's Armed and Extremely Dangerous, featuring the title track which climbed to No. 11 on the R&B chart and No. 28 on the Hot 100. Over the decade, First Choice released a string of enduring hits and albums, including:

"Smarty Pants" (Hot 100 No. 56)
"The Player — Part 1" (Hot 100 No. 41)
So Let Us Entertain You LP (1976)
"Doctor Love" (Hot 100 No. 41)
Breakaway (1980), the group's final album before splitting the same year

Following the group's breakup, Rochelle Fleming pursued a solo career, dropping singles such as "Love Itch" in 1985, "Danger!" in 1994, which reached No. 42 on the Dance Club Songs chart, and "Suffer (The Consequences)" in 1995, which hit No. 35 on the same chart. Her final track release was a 2025 collaboration with Terry Hunter titled "Balls 2 Bounce," and her last stage performance took place in 2019 in New York City.

What was the enduring cultural impact of First Choice?

The music of First Choice left a lasting imprint across decades of hip-hop, R&B, and dance music through prominent sampling by contemporary artists. According to Billboard, tracks like "Let No Man Put Asunder" were sampled by UGK, Liquid Crystal, Special Ed, 2Pac, House of Pain, and Nitzer Ebb, while Mary J. Blige covered the song on her 1999 album Mary.

Additionally, J. Cole sampled "Wake Up to Me" on his 2019 track "Middle Child," and Kaytranada sampled "Love Thang" on his single "10%," which won the Grammy Award for Best Dance Recording in 2021.

How did colleagues remember her legacy?

George Iz Correia shared tributes highlighting her deep connection to her audience, noting via American Songwriter and Daily Mail that she affectionately called her supporters "sweeties" rather than fans. Correia also remarked on his personal grief, telling Daily Mail, "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 to smile with immense gratitude."