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NEW YORK (AP) — William “Poogie” Hart, a founder of the Grammy-winning trio the Delfonics who helped write and sang a soft lead tenor on such classic “Sound of Philadelphia” ballads as “La-La (Means I Love You)” and “Didn’t I (Blow Your Mind This Time),” has died. He was 77.
His son Hadi told The New York Times Wednesday that Hart died July 14 at Temple University Hospital in Philadelphia. The cause was complications during surgery.
From the late 1960s to the mid 1970s, the Delfonics had six top 40 pop hits and more than a dozen top 20 R&B hits. With Thom Bell serving as producer and co-writer, their sound was defined by the rich orchestral arrangements and layered harmonies — Hart at times rising to a falsetto — that made Philadelphia soul as essential to the ’70s as Detroit’s Motown label had been in the previous decade.
The Delfonics, whose other songs included “Ready or Not Here I Come (Can’t Hide from Love)” and “Break Your Promise,” were among the first successes in a wave of Philadelphia vocal groups that included the Spinners, the O’Jays and the Stylistics. Their songs remained known well after they stopped having hits. The Delfonics were heard on soundtracks for movies by Quentin Tarantino and Spike Lee and were covered by Prince, Aretha Franklin and other artists. Nicki Minaj, the Fugees and many other performers sampled them.
In 1971, “Didn’t I (Blow Your Mind This Time)” brought the Delfonics a Grammy for best R&B performance by a duo or group. They were voted into the National Rhythm & Blues Hall of Fame in 2014.
Hart was a Washington, D.C. native, born in 1945. He later moved to Philadelphia and began singing in groups as a teenager, and with younger brother Wilbert Hart and Randy Cain (later replaced by Major Harris) formed the precursor to the Delfonics, the Orthonics, in 1965. They soon learned of a local writer-arranger, Bell, who eventually worked not just with the Delfonics but with the Spinners and Stylistics.
The Delfonics initially broke up in the 1970s, but later toured in various combinations. Hart’s outside projects included the 2007 album “Three Tenors of Soul” with two other stars from the ’70s: Russell Thompkins Jr. of the Stylistics and Ted Mills from Blue Magic.
Rick Astley will take viewers on a reflective look back at his life and career when he appears alongside Dermot O’Leary in a new episode of Reel Stories, due to air on BBC Two and BBC iPlayer in February 2026.
The series, first broadcast in 2018, invites major music figures into a London cinema to revisit key moments from both their personal lives and professional paths. With his 60th birthday approaching next year, Astley becomes the latest musician to sit down with O’Leary for the thoughtful and personal conversation.
Looking back on taking part, Astley said: “I loved doing Reel Stories with Dermot O’Leary, what a treat to be taken back to the start and come right through to today. Dermot is the perfect companion to go on that rollercoaster of emotion, love and thanks, Rick x.”
O’Leary shared his own praise for the experience, saying: “What a pleasure to spend time with Rick and hear him talk so openly about his memories from over the decades. I’ve long been a fan of his… A true gent, wise soul and real talent. I hope that viewers enjoy this extended interview as much as I did.”
Rachel Davies, Commissioning Editor for BBC Pop Music TV, described the timing of the episode as ideal. She said: “Reel Stories is all about telling artists’ stories in a unique way… I’m thrilled that in February, Dermot will be joined by the one and only Rick Astley, celebrating Rick’s life and work as he reaches his 60th birthday.”
The programme follows Astley’s journey from his early work with the soul group FBI through to becoming an international pop star guided by Stock Aitken Waterman. He revisits his first appearance on Top of the Pops, speaks about the intense pressure that followed worldwide success when Never Gonna Give You Up reached number one in 25 countries, and reflects on his decision to step back from fame to focus on family.
Astley also talks about how his music found a new audience through the Rickrolling phenomenon, his return to recording after a 20 year break with encouragement from comedian Peter Kay, and his later career revival. This includes the success of his 2016 album 50 and his appearance on Glastonbury’s Pyramid Stage in 2023.
As part of the themed evening, viewers will also be able to watch a repeat of Astley’s Glastonbury performance along with Stock Aitken Waterman at the BBC. The additional programme features classic moments from Astley as well as performances by Dead or Alive, Donna Summer, Bananarama, Mel and Kim, and Kylie and Jason Donovan.
Astley now joins a notable group of past Reel Stories guests that includes Dave Grohl, Jon Bon Jovi, Kylie, Noel Gallagher, Pet Shop Boys, Robbie Williams, Shania Twain, Rod Stewart, Sting, and Take That.
