Wilbert Hart

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Wilbert Hart
Hart in 2019
Hart in 2019
Background information
Birth nameWilbert Hart
Born (1947-10-19) 19 October 1947 (age 74)
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
GenresSoul, R&B
Occupation(s)Singer, songwriter, producer
InstrumentsVocals
Years active1965 – present
LabelsCameo-Parkway Records Philly Groove Records, Sony BMG, Arista Records, Bell Records
Associated actsThe Delfonics

Wilbert "Wil" Hart (born October 19, 1947) is an American soul singer, songwriter, and producer,[1] best known as a founding member of the musical group The Delfonics.[2][3]

Early life[]

Hart was born and raised in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania as one of eight children for Wilson and Iretha Hart. He went to Philadelphia public schools and attended Overbrook High School where he and his older brother William were in different vocal groups.[4]

Career[]

With The Delfonics[]

Wilbert and William formed The Delfonics in 1965, with Wilbert as their primary songwriter, often in collaboration with Thom Bell.[2] Between 1968 and 1974, The Delfonics had a string of hit singles on Philly Groove Records that included "La-La - (Means I Love You)", "Ready Or Not Here I Come (Can't Hide From Love)", and "Didn't I (Blow Your Mind This Time)" among several others that reached the Billboard R&B and Pop charts.[5][6][7] In 1971 the group won a Grammy Award for Best R&B Performance, and were featured in the first live televised performance of that ceremony.[8][9] Also in 1971, the group was awarded a Gold Record for "Didn't I (Blow My Mind This Time)".[10]

After several years of hit singles, The Delfonics split into two groups in 1975, with Wilbert and William each leading their own units.[2] The brothers were involved in a legal dispute over the use of the group name, with a judge ruling in 2007 that both could use the name while properly informing the audience of the distinction between the two groups. Henceforth, Wilbert's version was called Wil Hart & The Delfonics, or Wil Hart formerly of the Delfonics.[11]

Other work[]

Wilbert Hart also worked as a songwriter for other acts while he was active with The Delfonics. In 1970 he wrote and produced three songs for the vocal group Honey & The Bees on their debut album Love.[12] After the original Delfonics disbanded, Hart remained active as a songwriter and producer. In 1977 he contributed to the album This Is Your Life by Norman Connors, and wrote a song under the pseudonym A. Hakeem Waheed.[13]

Hart appeared with his own group on The Arsenio Hall Show in 1989.[14] In 1994 he contributed songwriting and production to the album Break of Dawn by rappers Rob Base and DJ E-Z Rock.[15] In 1997 the song "Hey! Love", by The Delfonics and written by Hart, was sampled by The Notorious B.I.G. on the successful album Life After Death.[16][17]

In 1995 Hart and the other original members of The Delfonics were inducted into the Philadelphia Walk of Fame.[18] In 1999 Hart released the solo album Hold on for Love on his own label, Mother Earth Records.[19] In 2005 he released the album Fonic Zone which included a contribution from rapper Rick Ross.[20][21]

In 2013 Hart was featured in "The Story of The Delfonics", an episode of Unsung on TVOne.[22][23] He was also featured in the 2018 documentary film Mr. Soul! about broadcasting personality and TV/theater producer Ellis Haizlip.[24]

As of 2020, he continues to perform and tour with his modern group under the name Wil Hart & The Delfonics.

Personal life[]

Wilbert Hart married his wife Sheila in 1966. They have 12 children, 34 grandchildren, 9 great grandchildren and 2 great-great grandchildren. He currently resides in Willingboro, New Jersey.[25]

Solo discography[]

See also: The Delfonics § Discography

Albums[]

  • The Delfonics Return (1981)[26]
  • Hold on for Love (1999)[27]
  • Fonic Zone (2005)[28]

Singles[]

  • "Stop Confusion" / "Check Out Your Mind" (unknown date)[29]
  • "It's Been A Long Time" (unknown date)
  • "Here For You" (2005)[30]
  • "Hey Love" (2005)[31]
  • "Don't Give In" (2005)

References[]

  1. ^ "Wilbert Hart | Credits". AllMusic. Retrieved 14 April 2021.
  2. ^ a b c "The Delfonics | Biography & History". AllMusic. Retrieved 14 April 2021.
  3. ^ "Delfonics". GRAMMY.com. 23 November 2020. Retrieved 14 April 2021.
  4. ^ "Quick Thoughts on the Delfonics UnSung". riquespeaks. 26 November 2013. Retrieved 15 April 2021.
  5. ^ "The Delfonics". Billboard. Retrieved 14 April 2021.
  6. ^ Fame 2021 (https://eastcoastmusichalloffame.org), East Coast Music Hall of (21 October 2018). "The Delfonics | 2022 Nominees | East Coast Music Hall of Fame | Giving Recognition to East Coast Artists". East Coast Music Hall of Fame. Retrieved 15 April 2021.
  7. ^ Inc, Nielsen Business Media (25 April 2009). "Billboard". Nielsen Business Media, Inc. Retrieved 16 April 2021.
  8. ^ "13th Annual GRAMMY Awards". GRAMMY.com. 28 November 2017. Retrieved 15 April 2021.
  9. ^ Chase's, Editors of (24 September 2019). Chase's Calendar of Events 2020: The Ultimate Go-to Guide for Special Days, Weeks and Months. Rowman & Littlefield. ISBN 978-1-64143-316-7. Retrieved 17 April 2021.CS1 maint: extra text: authors list (link)
  10. ^ "Gold & Platinum The Delfonics". RIAA. Retrieved 15 April 2021.
  11. ^ "Hart v. Hart, 18 MS 0302 | Casetext Search + Citator".
  12. ^ "Honey & The Bees – Love (1970, Vinyl)". Retrieved 15 April 2021.
  13. ^ "Norman Connors – This Is Your Life (2014, CD)". Retrieved 16 April 2021.
  14. ^ ""The Arsenio Hall Show" Episode #1.57 (TV Episode 1989) - IMDb". 22 March 1989. Retrieved 15 April 2021.
  15. ^ "Rob Base & D.J. E-Z Rock – Break Of Dawn (1994, CD)". Retrieved 15 April 2021.
  16. ^ "Gold & Platinum". RIAA. Retrieved 15 April 2021.
  17. ^ "The Notorious B.I.G. – Life After Death [Credits]". Retrieved 17 April 2021.
  18. ^ Company, Johnson Publishing (10 July 1995). "Jet". Johnson Publishing Company. Retrieved 16 April 2021.
  19. ^ "Wil Hart & The Delfonics – Hold On For Love (1999, CD)". Retrieved 15 April 2021.
  20. ^ "Delfonics: Slow Jam Masters Of The Philly Groove, Fonic Zone, Will Hart, William Hart, Philadelphia, Wilbert Hart, Randy Cain, Major Harris – Soul-Patrol". soul-patrol.com. Retrieved 23 July 2021.
  21. ^ "Fonic Zone - Wil Hart | Songs, Reviews, Credits | AllMusic". Retrieved 23 July 2021.
  22. ^ "The Delfonics". TV One. 29 October 2013. Retrieved 14 April 2021.
  23. ^ Roberts, Kimberly C. "'Unsung' chronicles life, music of the Delfonics". The Philadelphia Tribune. Retrieved 14 April 2021.
  24. ^ Chiu, David. "'Mr. Soul!' Documents Pioneering TV Show That Celebrated Blackness Through Music And Talk". Forbes. Retrieved 23 July 2021.
  25. ^ "Wilbert Hart". IMDb. Retrieved 15 April 2021.
  26. ^ "Delfonics Return - The Delfonics | Songs, Reviews, Credits | AllMusic". Retrieved 15 April 2021.
  27. ^ "Wilbert Hart Albums". Discogs. Retrieved 15 April 2021.
  28. ^ "Fonic Zone - Wil Hart | Songs, Reviews, Credits | AllMusic". Retrieved 15 April 2021.
  29. ^ "Wilbert Hart Singles". Discogs. Retrieved 15 April 2021.
  30. ^ "Here for You - Will Hart, Rick Ross | Song Info | AllMusic". Retrieved 15 April 2021.
  31. ^ "Hey Love - Wil Hart | Song Info | AllMusic".
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