Disco singer rochelle fleming tributes highlight her enduring ties to her community, as evidenced by a touching memorial from the Christian Hope Baptist Church in Philadelphia, where she remained a faithful choir member despite her global renown as the iconic voice of Salsoul Records.
Fleming was a Philadelphia, Pennsylvania native, and First Choice was formed there in 1971. The group produced a list of hits that included “Armed and Extremely Dangerous,” Smarty Pants,” “The Player (Part 1).” “Guilty,” “Love Thang,” and “Doctor Love.”
“Armed and Extremely Dangerous” was the group’s breakout hit, making a splash on the R&B charts in 1973.
First Choice broke up in 1980, but Fleming continued on with a solo career.
“The Christian Hope Baptist Church family is heartbroken at the passing of our beloved Sister Rochelle Fleming,”the Church shared on Facebook. “We give thanks to God for her life, her voice, and the many years she shared both with us.
“The world knew Rochelle as the founding member and lead singer of Philadelphia’s own Frist Choice, whose music reached audiences across the globe,” the statement continued. “We knew her first as one of our own. She came to Christian Hope as a child with her family and remained a faithful member all her life. Even as a world-renowned artist, she always came home. She kept serving and sharing her gift right here in service to the Lord.”
The church praised Fleming for singing in the choir.
“When Rochelle stepped forward for a solo, the whole sanctuary leaned in,” the post read. “Her voice stirred our spirits, moved us to tears, and lifted us into praise. We looked forward to those moments, and we will carry them with us always.”
Fans and friends took to social media to remember her, too.
“One of the greatest in R&B, Disco, and House music has left us,” Lenny Fontana wrote on Facebook. “The lead singer of the First Choice of Salsoul Records. Rochelle Fleming. She is probably one of the most sampled in current dance music as you will hear her voice on so many recordings. A humble person and to us an ICON! Rest in Eternal Peace as we all loved you.”
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