Rest In Heaven William “Poogie” Hart. Lead Singer Of Ground Breaking ’70s Group The Delfonics Was 77

Founding member, and lead singer of the Delfonics William “Poogie” Hart Died from complications from surgery on the morning of July 15th at Temple University Hospital in Philadelphia.  Hart and the Delfonics helped usher in the Philadelphia Sound.  Although the Delfonics were never were signed to Philadelphia international records (PIR), their sound is what set the standard for the “Phili Sound”. 

The “Phili Sound” was an important counterbalance to the Motown Sound. The Delfonics showed the world that Rhythm and Blues wasn’t just a Detroit thing, but a Black American thing from coast to coast.  Thom Bell wrote two of the biggest hits for the Delfonics “La La Means I love you”, and “Didn’t I  Blow your Mind” for the Delfonics before moving on to be a staff writer and producer for Philadelphia International. 

Hart had one of the purest falsettos in American music history. Legendary producer/song writer, and co creator of PIR was once quoted saying, “People used to have contests to see who could sing the highest, and Poogie was right there with the best of them,” along with Russell Thompkins Jr. of the Stylistics.  

At the 2014 Rock and Roll hall of fame ceremony, Daryl Hall from the acclaimed group Hall and Oates said in his acceptance speech that its “a shame” Hall and Oates are (at the time) the only group from Philadelphia in the rock and roll hall of fame.  He mentioned the Delfonics deserving to be in the Rock and Roll hall of fame because they were an inspiration to Hall and Oates.  

The Delfonics rarely get their due for their impact on music. Today we give them their praise, and we thank Mr William Poogie Hart for his everlasting impact on the world of music.