William Hart, the founding member and songwriter of Delfonics, has died at the age of 77.
William “Poogie” Hart was the lead singer of the iconic Philadelphia soul group the Delfonics and is credited with writing classics such as ‘La-La (Means I Love You)’ and ‘Didn’t I (Blow Your Mind This Time).’
According to his son, Hadi, Hart died on July 14 after complications during surgery at Temple University Hospital in Philadelphia.
De Leon’s began in the 1960s as a band formed by Hart, with his brother Wilbert Hart and high school pals Randy Cain and Richie Daniels.
Through his later band manager Stan Watson, bassist Charlie Hart met writer-producer Thom Bell.
Bell worked on the 1966 debut single “He Don’t Really Love You”/”Without You” for Hart, followed by their 1967 song “You’ve Been Untrue,” which features her piano.
‘La-La (Means I Love You)’ reached No.5 on the pop charts and was later used in Quentin Tarantino’s film ‘Jackie Brown,’ which included ‘Didn’t I (Blow Your Mind This Time)’.
The group was given a GRAMMY for Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group in 1971. Their 1968 song “ready or not, here I come (can’t hide from love)” has been sampled in 1996 by the Fugees on their song “Ready or Not.”
In the 1980s, George changed his band’s name to The Solid Gold Soul Band and began performing with Delfonics members Major Harris and Randy Cain.
Below is a statement from producer Adrian Younge on Hart’s death.
“Definitely shed some tears today. We lost a great one. You taught me so much and gave so much to the world of music. The master singer…the master writer…the man that created songs that changed the world. You are missed brotha. Love you man.
As I write this, I’m thinking about one of the last songs we wrote for our album “Life Never Ends.” Never thought about it applying to you though.
Still remember us talking on the phone for the first time…the excitement about us getting to work…the journey you’ve been on. The life stories you shared. Wow. What a treasure. The time you told me you wrote “La La means I love you” because your newborn kept saying “La La.” You told me it was your son saying I love you. The simple things you turned into masterpieces man. I can go on and on but thank you for everything.
RIP William “Poogie” Hart.”
