William Hart, lead singer for The Delfonics, dead at 77

William Hart, the lead singer for the Philadelphia soul group The Delfonics, died Thursday, his son said. He was 77.

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Hart’s son, Hadi, confirmed the singer’s death to Rolling Stone. The singer’s son said Hart died from complications during surgery.

“His body might not be here, but his music will live forever,” Hadi told the magazine. “He was a great man, he loved his family, he loved God, and he just loved people. Great heart, great spirit. That was my dad.”

TMZ also reported on Hart’s death.

Hart’s songwriting and soulful falsetto voice helped The Delfonics hit the charts with “La-La (Means I Love You),” which reached No. 5 in 1968; “Didn’t I (Blow Your Mind This Time),” which peaked at No. 10 in 1970 and won a Grammy Award; and “Ready or Not Here I Come (Can’t Hide from Love),” Billboard reported.

Hart co-founded The Delfonics, originally known as the Orphonics, in Philadelphia with his brother Wilbert, Billboard reported. The brothers added Randy Cain and Major Harris and signed with noted Philadelphia record label Cameo-Parkway.

Their debut album, “La-La (Means I Love You)” was released in 1968 and produced a trio of hits, including the title track, “I’m Sorry” (No. 42) and “Break Your Promise” (No. 35).

Between 1968 and 1974, the Delfonics released five studio albums and had 12 songs crack the Top 20 on the Billboard charts, Rolling Stone reported.

The group splintered into two distinct groups in 1975, Billboard reported. Wilbert Hart and Major Harris started one version of the Delfonics with Frank Washington, while William Hart led his own version of the group, according to Rolling Stone.

Hart continued to perform, tour, and even occasionally record with the Delfonics into the 2010s, the magazine reported.

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