{
  "id": 19360459,
  "title": "Rochelle Fleming, Singer With ‘Let No Man Put Asunder’ Disco Act First Choice Dies at 72",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/10/rochelle-fleming-singer-with-let-no-man-put-asunder-disco-act-first",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-11-10T16:37:17.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Billboard",
    "slug": "billboard",
    "url": "https://www.billboard.com/music/pop/rochelle-fleming-death-singer-disco-first-choice-dies-obituary-1236378654/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Rochelle Fleming-Finney, the lead vocalist and co-founder of Philadelphia disco soul group First Choice, passed away on November 5, 2026 at the age of 72. She was born in Philadelphia on February 11, 1954 and began her musical journey in high school with the Debonettes, alongside Annette Guest and Wardell Piper. The trio later transformed their group's name to First Choice while still in their student years at Overbrook High School. Their debut album, released in 1973 titled \"Armed and Extremely Dangerous,\" featured their first hit single \"Armed and Extremely Dangerous\" which topped the Billboard R&B chart at No. 11. Following the departure of Piper, the group added Joyce Jones to their lineup. With Jones on board, they released their sophomore album \"The Player\" in 1974, which included the chart-topping track \"The Player.\" After Jones left the group, the band signed with Warner Bros. Records and released their third album \"So Let Us Entertain You\" in 1976, featuring several disco hits including \"First Choice Theme/Ain't He Bad\" and \"Are You Ready For Me?\" Fleming's powerful vocals and the group's energetic performances earned them numerous hits throughout the mid-to-late '70s, including \"Doctor Love,\" \"Guilty,\" and the enduring classic \"Let No Man Put Asunder,\" which has been sampled in various songs by artists like UGK, Liquid Crystal, Special Ed, 2Pac, House of Pain, Nitzer Ebb, and covered by Mary J. Blige. The group's influence extended beyond the '70s, with artists like J. Cole and Kaytranada sampling their music, solidifying their place in dance music history. Despite releasing their last album \"Breakaway\" in 1980, Fleming continued to perform as a solo artist, releasing tracks like \"Love Itch\" (1985), \"Danger!\" (1994) and \"Suffer (The Consequences)\" (1995). She reunited with her original group members in 1987 and 2014 for memorable performances.",
  "summary": "The vocalist passed away on Nov. 5 in her native Philadelphia.",
  "key_points": [
    "Rochelle Fleming, lead vocalist of First Choice, died at 72 on November 5, 2026.",
    "Born in Philadelphia on February 11, 1954, she co-founded First Choice in high school.",
    "Known for hits like \"Let No Man Put Asunder,\" Fleming continued solo performances post-group."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}