On July 14, 2022, at the age of 77, William Hart died away. As the lead vocalist of the Philadelphia-based R&B/soul singing group The Delfonics, he rose to prominence. Hadi Hart said that his father, William Hart, was experiencing respiratory difficulties. Immediate admission to Temple University Hospital in Philadelphia resulted in his death from complications due to surgery. The specifics of the procedure are yet pending, and it is unclear if he has had any health problems in the past. The bulk of his band’s songs was written and recorded by Hart, including La-La, Didn’t I, Break Your Promise, I’m Sorry and Ready or Not Here I Come.
William Hart and his brother founded a group In 1964.
Initially, Hart was a member of many bands, including Little Hart, The Everglows, the Four Guys, and others. In 1964, he and his brother Wilbert formed a band named Orphonics with Randy Cain and Richie Daniels.
In August 1966, the group changed its name to The Delfonics and released their first single, He Doesn’t Really Love You b/w Without You. In April 1967, they released their second recording, You’ve Been Untrue b/w I Was There. In December 1967, the trio released the track La-La, which became a massive smash and topped the Billboard Hot 100.
The Delfonics released their first album, La La Means I Love You, in 1968, followed by many more albums. In 1975, after a lengthy run of popular singles, the group separated into two separate entities. The first consisted of Major Harris, Wilbert Hart, and Frank Washington, while the second had William Hart among new members.
Harris and Randy Cain joined Hart’s group in 1980, and Washington joined Wilbert’s group in 1985. Although Hart, Harris, and Washington were part of the lineup, they toured as distinct trios with extra members. Additionally, the group performed on The Arsenio Hall Show.
In the 1990s, The Delfonics continued to play and Harris and Washington released more songs. The ensemble restructured, and all of its touring members continued to perform. Cain continued to travel with Hart until his passing in 2009. Hart, Russell Thompkins Jr., and Ted Mills have released a CD titled The Three Tenors of Soul.
Twitter users pay respect
William Hart was well-known as the band’s founder and a member. Twitter was inundated with tributes upon hearing of his passing.
There’s no Blue Magic, no Stylistics, or any other group that excelled in ballads in the early 70s (especially groups that had a primary falsetto lead singer) without the foundation of The Delfonics. RIP William Hart, now reunited with Randy Cain and Major Harris🕊
— Mani🇳🇬 (@Kemani_0718) July 15, 2022
RIP William Hart from the Delfonics.
The sound of super soulful era. https://t.co/7R2ltnuins— is not a marketing strategy. (@apachesk8boards) July 15, 2022
