Culture

Randy Cain of The Delfonics Dies at 63

by Blue Crush | April 11, 2009 at 08:58 pm

1200 views | 23 Recommendations | 5 comments

Randy Cain, one of the founding members of The Delfonics, died on Thursday, at the age of 63. The cause of death is not yet known.

The Delfonics was formed in the late 60s by brothers William and Wilbert Hart, and Randy Cain, while they were in high school together in Philadelphia. They had a sleek, soulful sound, later known as the "Philadelphia sound."

Their most known songs are La La (Means I Love You), Didn't I (Blow Your Mind This Time), and Ready or Not. The Delfonics were one of Philadelphia's all time greatest bands.

Cain left the group in the early 70s but as of late, he did various reunion tours with Wilbert Hart, the group's lead singer and songwriter.

"I'm gonna miss him. We grew up together since 1968," Wilbert said of Cain, whom he last saw four or five months ago.

"We're gonna have to do what we're doing until God brings us together," said Wilbert, who now performs with a group as "Wil Hart formerly Delfonics."

"That three-part harmony with the falsetto sound was phenomenal," DJ Jerry Blavat said of the Delfonics.

The Delfonics soulful style has been used in many film soundtracks and sampled by various newer musicians over the years.

4 See all footage | View Slideshow

Share: email story | add to any | | facebook | stumbleupon

recommend This comment thread is now closed

Genevieve Lowery (not verified)

at 11:55 on April 12th, 2009

Randy will truly be missed. I have lost a wonderful friend and entertainer.

Fred Miller

at 22:17 on April 11th, 2009

Great stuff that I kind of grew up with, listening to NJ/NYC radio when they were in heavy rotation on the 'waves.

Blue Crush

at 23:29 on April 11th, 2009

Yeah, it brings back the high school dance days ...

Was always great listening music.

lesan (not verified)

at 09:29 on April 13th, 2009

I fell in love with the Delfonics as a teenager in 1967. At age 17, I saw them at the Convention Hall in Asbury, NJ. Somehow I got backstage and took a picture with the LEAD singer - William "Poogie" Hart. I cherish that picture today. In my book, How Ya Like Me Now (www.howyalikemenow.com), I speak of my love for them and my picture with the lead singer is in the book.