It is with sad news to announce the passing of William “Poogie” Hart.

The Grammy Award-winning lead singer of the iconic R&B band, The Delfonics, has died at the age of 77, according to his son Hadi, via TMZ.

According to the site, William was experiencing trouble breathing and was taken to Temple University Hospital in Philadelphia, where he passed away Thursday from complications during surgery.

A part of the Philadelphia sound, better known as T.S.O.P., William and his brother, Wilbert, created The Delfonics in the late ‘60s along with Randy Cain, Ritchie Daniels, and Thom Bell. Between William and Thom, the duo exclusively wrote all of the band’s songs, including timeless classics such as “La-La (Means I Love You),” “Didn’t I (Blow Your Mind This Time),” and “Ready or Not Here I Come (Can’t Hide from Love).”

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For “Didn’t I (Blow Your Mind This Time),” The Delfonics took home the Grammy for Best R&B Performance By A Duo Or Group, Vocal Or Instrumental in 1971. While that song and “La-La” would become pop culture staples in films such as Spike Lee’s Crooklyn and Quentin Tarantino’s Jackie Brown.

The original iteration of the band split in 1975 after racking up twelve top-20 hits on Billboard’s R&B and Soul Single Chart. Former members would go on to create splinter groups that would perform throughout the ‘90s and 2000s.

BET.com offers our sincerest condolences to his family, close friends, and fans.