# Wilbert Hart > Mediated Wiki article. Canonical URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Wilbert_Hart > Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Wilbert_Hart.md > Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wilbert_Hart > Source revision: 1345330644 > License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/) {{Short description|American singer-songwriter (born 1947)}} {{Use American English|date=July 2022}} {{Use mdy dates|date=July 2022}} {{Infobox musical artist | name = Wilbert Hart | image = Wil hart profile.jpg | caption = Hart in 2019 | birth_name = | birth_date = {{Birth date and age|mf=yes|1947|10|19}} | birth_place = [Philadelphia](/source/Philadelphia), Pennsylvania, U.S. | genre = [Soul](/source/Soul_music), [R&B](/source/R%26B) | instrument = Vocals | occupation = Singer, songwriter, producer | years_active = 1965–present | label = [Cameo-Parkway Records](/source/Cameo-Parkway_Records) [Philly Groove Records](/source/Philly_Groove_Records), [Sony BMG](/source/Sony_BMG), [Arista Records](/source/Arista_Records), [Bell Records](/source/Bell_Records) | associated_acts = [The Delfonics](/source/The_Delfonics) }} '''Wilbert "Wil" Hart''' (born October 19, 1947) is an American [soul](/source/Soul_music) singer, songwriter, and producer,{{cite web |title=Wilbert Hart {{!}} Credits |url=https://www.allmusic.com/artist/wilbert-hart-mn0000253871/credits |website=AllMusic |access-date=14 April 2021 |language=en}} best known as a founding and last surviving member of the musical group [the Delfonics](/source/the_Delfonics).{{cite web |title=The Delfonics {{!}} Biography & History |url=https://www.allmusic.com/artist/the-delfonics-mn0000007448/biography |website=AllMusic |access-date=14 April 2021 |language=en}}{{cite web |title=Delfonics |url=https://www.grammy.com/artists/delfonics/7147 |website=Grammy.com |access-date=14 April 2021 |language=en |date=23 November 2020}} ==Early life== Hart was born and raised in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, as one of eight children of Wilson and Iretha Hart. He attended Philadelphia public schools and [Overbrook High School](/source/Overbrook_High_School_(Philadelphia)), where he and his older brother William were in different vocal groups.{{cite web |title=Quick Thoughts on the Delfonics UnSung |url=https://riquespeaks.wordpress.com/2013/11/26/quick-thoughts-on-the-delfonics-unsung/ |website=riquespeaks |access-date=15 April 2021 |language=en |date=26 November 2013}} ==Career== ===With The Delfonics=== Wilbert and William formed [the Delfonics](/source/the_Delfonics) in 1965, with William as their primary songwriter, often in collaboration with [Thom Bell](/source/Thom_Bell). Between 1968 and 1974, The Delfonics had a string of hit singles on [Philly Groove Records](/source/Philly_Groove_Records) that included "[La-La - (Means I Love You)](/source/La-La_(Means_I_Love_You))", "[Ready Or Not Here I Come (Can't Hide From Love)](/source/Ready_Or_Not_Here_I_Come_(Can't_Hide_From_Love))", and "[Didn't I (Blow Your Mind This Time)](/source/Didn't_I_(Blow_Your_Mind_This_Time))" among several others that reached the ''[Billboard](/source/Billboard_charts)'' R&B and Pop charts.{{cite magazine|title=The Delfonics|url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/the-delfonics/chart-history/bsi/|access-date=14 April 2021|magazine=Billboard}}{{cite web|title=The Delfonics {{!}} 2022 Nominees {{!}} East Coast Music Hall of Fame {{!}} Giving Recognition to East Coast Artists |url=https://eastcoastmusichalloffame.org/nominees/the-delfonics-nomination-pa/ |website=East Coast Music Hall of Fame |access-date=15 April 2021 |date=21 October 2018}}{{cite web |last1=Inc |first1=Nielsen Business Media |title=Billboard |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=QdKeU1ZYfwsC&q=Wilbert+hart&pg=PT14 |publisher=Nielsen Business Media, Inc. |access-date=16 April 2021 |language=en |date=25 April 2009}} In 1971 the group won a [Grammy Award](/source/13th_Annual_Grammy_Awards) for Best R&B Performance, and were featured in the first live televised performance of that ceremony.{{cite web |title=13th Annual GRAMMY Awards |url=https://www.grammy.com/awards/13th-annual-grammy-awards |website=GRAMMY.com |access-date=15 April 2021 |language=en |date=28 November 2017}}{{cite book |title=Chase's Calendar of Events 2020: The Ultimate Go-to Guide for Special Days, Weeks and Months |date=24 September 2019 |publisher=Rowman & Littlefield |isbn=978-1-64143-316-7 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=6dKpDwAAQBAJ&q=The+Delfonics+won+a+grammy+at+the+13th+annual+grammy+awards&pg=PA22 |page=22|access-date=17 April 2021 |language=en}} Also in 1971, the group was awarded a [Gold Record](/source/Music_recording_certification) for "Didn't I (Blow Your Mind This Time)".{{cite web |title=Gold & Platinum The Delfonics |url=https://www.riaa.com/gold-platinum/?tab_active=default-award&se=The+Delfonics#search_section |website=RIAA |access-date=15 April 2021}} After several years of hit singles, The Delfonics split into two groups in 1975, with Wilbert and William each leading their own units. 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.{{Cite web|url=https://casetext.com/case/hart-v-hart|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210724003329/https://casetext.com/case/hart-v-hart|url-status=dead|archive-date=July 24, 2021|title = Hart v. Hart, 18 MS 0302 | Casetext Search + Citator|website=Casetext.com}} ===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](/source/Honey_%26_the_Bees) on their debut album ''Love''.{{cite web |title=Honey & The Bees – Love (1970, Vinyl) |website=[Discogs](/source/Discogs) |url=https://www.discogs.com/Honey-The-Bees-Love/release/3307346 |access-date=15 April 2021 |language=en}} After the original Delfonics disbanded, Hart remained active as a songwriter and producer. In 1977, he contributed to the album [''This Is Your Life''](/source/This_Is_Your_Life_(Norman_Connors_album)) by [Norman Connors](/source/Norman_Connors), and wrote a song under the pseudonym A. Hakeem Waheed.{{cite web |title=Norman Connors – This Is Your Life (2014, CD) |website=[Discogs](/source/Discogs) |url=https://www.discogs.com/Norman-Connors-This-Is-Your-Life/release/6137668 |access-date=16 April 2021 |language=en}} Hart appeared with his own group on ''[The Arsenio Hall Show](/source/The_Arsenio_Hall_Show)'' in 1989.{{cite web |title="The Arsenio Hall Show" Episode #1.57 (TV Episode 1989) - IMDb | website=[IMDb](/source/IMDb) |date = 22 March 1989|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt2550424/?ref_=nm_flmg_slf_3 |access-date=15 April 2021}} In 1994 he contributed songwriting and production to the album ''[Break of Dawn](/source/Break_of_Dawn_(Rob_Base_and_DJ_E-Z_Rock_album))'' by rappers [Rob Base and DJ E-Z Rock](/source/Rob_Base_and_DJ_E-Z_Rock).{{cite web |title=Rob Base & D.J. E-Z Rock – Break Of Dawn (1994, CD) |website=[Discogs](/source/Discogs) |url=https://www.discogs.com/Rob-Base-DJ-E-Z-Rock-Break-Of-Dawn/release/1225915 |access-date=15 April 2021 |language=en}} In 1995, Hart and the other original members of The Delfonics were inducted into the Philadelphia Walk of Fame.{{cite web|date=10 July 1995|title=Jet|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=OT0DAAAAMBAJ&q=Wilbert+hart&pg=PA61|access-date=16 April 2021|publisher=Johnson Publishing Company|language=en}} In 1999 Hart released the solo album ''Hold on for Love'' on his own label, Mother Earth Records.{{cite web |title=Wil Hart & The Delfonics – Hold On For Love (1999, CD) |website=[Discogs](/source/Discogs) |url=https://www.discogs.com/Wil-Hart-The-Delfonics-Hold-On-For-Love/release/14565776 |access-date=15 April 2021 |language=en}} In 2005 he released the album ''Fonic Zone'' which included a contribution from rapper [Rick Ross](/source/Rick_Ross).{{cite web |title=Delfonics: Slow Jam Masters Of The Philly Groove, Fonic Zone, Will Hart, William Hart, Philadelphia, Wilbert Hart, Randy Cain, Major Harris – Soul-Patrol |url=https://soul-patrol.com/delfonics-slow-jam-masters-of-the-philly-groove-fonic-zone-will-hart-william-hart-philadelphia-wilbert-hart-randy-cain-major-harris/ |website=soul-patrol.com |access-date=23 July 2021}}{{cite web |title=Fonic Zone - Wil Hart {{!}} Songs, Reviews, Credits {{!}} AllMusic |website=[AllMusic](/source/AllMusic) |url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/fonic-zone-mw0000212177 |access-date=23 July 2021 |language=en}} In 1997 the song "Hey! Love", by The Delfonics and written by Hart, was sampled by [The Notorious B.I.G.](/source/The_Notorious_B.I.G.) on the successful album ''[Life After Death](/source/Life_After_Death)''. In 2018, the Album was RIAA certified 11 times platinum.{{cite web |title=Gold & Platinum |url=https://www.riaa.com/gold-platinum/?tab_active=default-award&se=Life+After+Death&col=certification_date&ord=desc#search_section |website=RIAA |access-date=15 April 2021}}{{cite web|title=The Notorious B.I.G. – Life After Death [Credits]|url=https://genius.com/The-notorious-big-life-after-death-credits-lyrics|website=Genius.com|access-date=17 April 2021|language=en}} In 2013, Hart was featured in "The Story of The Delfonics", an episode of [''Unsung''](/source/Unsung_(TV_series)) on [TVOne](/source/TV_One_(American_TV_channel)).{{cite news |title=The Delfonics |url=https://tvone.tv/8079/the-delfonics/ |website=TV One |access-date=14 April 2021 |date=29 October 2013}}{{cite web |last1=Roberts |first1=Kimberly C. |title='Unsung' chronicles life, music of the Delfonics |url=https://www.phillytrib.com/entertainment/unsung-chronicles-life-music-of-the-delfonics/article_91fd2399-1886-5366-ad21-68272212e097.html |website=The Philadelphia Tribune |access-date=14 April 2021 |language=en}} He was also featured in the 2018 documentary film ''[Mr. Soul!](/source/Mr._Soul!)'' about broadcasting personality and TV/theater producer [Ellis Haizlip](/source/Ellis_Haizlip).{{cite news|last1=Chiu|first1=David|title='Mr. Soul!' Documents Pioneering TV Show That Celebrated Blackness Through Music And Talk|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/davidchiu/2020/09/02/mr-soul-documents-pioneering-tv-show-that-celebrated-blackness-through-music-and-talk/?sh=1d9b50d6512a|access-date=23 July 2021|website=Forbes|language=en}} On July 14, 2022, Hart's brother William Hart (co-founder and lead singer of The Delfonics) died after suffering complications during surgery.{{cite web |last1=Risen |first1=Clay |title=William Hart, Driving Force Behind the Delfonics, Dies at 77 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2022/07/20/arts/music/william-hart-dead.html |website=The New York Times |access-date=12 October 2022 |date=20 July 2022}} As of October 2022, Hart, the only surviving member of The Delfonics, continues to perform and tour with his modern group under the name Wil Hart of The Original Delfonics.{{cite web |title=Past Classic R&B Music Festival Events by VD&TSG |url=https://classicrandbevents.com/dt_gallery/past-events/ |website=Classic R&B Events Music Festival |access-date=12 October 2022}} ==Personal life== Wilbert Hart married his wife Sheila in 1966. They have 12 children, 41 grandchildren, and 12 great-grandchildren. He currently resides in [Willingboro, New Jersey](/source/Willingboro_Township%2C_New_Jersey).{{cite web |title=Wilbert Hart |url=https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1956669/bio?ref_=nm_ov_bio_sm |website=IMDb |access-date=15 April 2021}} ==Solo discography== {{See also|The Delfonics#Discography}} ===Albums=== *''The Delfonics Return'' (1981){{cite web |title=Delfonics Return - The Delfonics {{!}} Songs, Reviews, Credits {{!}} AllMusic |website=[AllMusic](/source/AllMusic) |url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/delfonics-return-mw0001235733 |access-date=15 April 2021 |language=en}} *''Hold on for Love'' (1999){{cite web |title=Wilbert Hart Albums |url=https://www.discogs.com/artist/659518-Wilbert-Hart?type=Releases&subtype=Albums&filter_anv=0 |website=Discogs |access-date=15 April 2021 |language=en}} *''Fonic Zone'' (2005){{cite web |title=Fonic Zone - Wil Hart {{!}} Songs, Reviews, Credits {{!}} AllMusic |website=[AllMusic](/source/AllMusic) |url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/fonic-zone-mw0000212177 |access-date=15 April 2021 |language=en}} ===Singles=== *"Stop Confusion" / "Check Out Your Mind" (unknown date){{cite web |title=Wilbert Hart Singles |url=https://www.discogs.com/artist/659518-Wilbert-Hart?type=Releases&subtype=Singles-EPs&filter_anv=0 |website=Discogs |access-date=15 April 2021 |language=en}} *"It's Been A Long Time" (unknown date) *"Here For You" (2005){{cite web |title=Here for You - Will Hart, Rick Ross {{!}} Song Info {{!}} AllMusic |website=[AllMusic](/source/AllMusic) |url=https://www.allmusic.com/song/here-for-you-mt0014518616 |access-date=15 April 2021 |language=en}} *"Hey Love" (2005){{cite web |title=Hey Love - Wil Hart {{!}} Song Info {{!}} AllMusic |website=[AllMusic](/source/AllMusic) |url=https://www.allmusic.com/song/hey-love-mt0014814491 |language=en}} *"Don't Give In" (2005) ==References== {{Reflist}} ==External links== * {{discogs artist|Wilbert Hart}} * {{IMDb name|1956669}} {{The Delfonics}} {{Authority control}} {{DEFAULTSORT:Hart, Wilbert}} Category:1947 births Category:American soul singers Category:American male songwriters Category:American soul musicians Category:Singers from Philadelphia Category:Living people --- Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Wilbert Hart](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wilbert_Hart) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wilbert_Hart?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.