John Hart Jr., 67, original member of Philly-based Trammps

JOHN HART JR., an original member of the popular Philly-based disco group the Trammps, a devoted Jehovah's Witness and a snappy dresser, died April 11 of a heart attack. He was 67 and lived in West Philadelphia.

The Trammps recorded such hits as "Zing Went the Strings of My Heart," "Where Do We Go From Here," "Where the Happy People Go," and their biggest hit, "Disco Inferno," which became part of the soundtrack to the movie "Saturday Night Fever."

Before the creation of the Trammps, John, called Jack by his friends, helped put together the Philly soul group, the Volcanos, which had a big hit with "Storm Warning" in 1965.

Later, he and some cousins and a few friends formed the Trammps. The group performed all over the U.S. and Europe, where their popularity packed houses.

John's day job was as a welder, and he taught welding at the Airco Technical Institute.

For a time, he and his family lived in New Orleans, where he worked for NASA.

Besides singing, John played the organ with the Trammps and other groups.

He was born in Philadelphia to Hazel and John Hart Sr., who was a professional tap dancer. John graduated from West Philadelphia High School in 1958. In 1963, he married Dolores Saulsbury.

"An impeccable and always well-groomed man, John loved family, food and friends," said his niece Michelle Baldwin. "John had an awesome personality, which left a lasting impression on everyone he met."

John was a member of Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witnesses, "where he greatly enjoyed the fellowship of his brothers," his niece said.

Besides his wife of 45 years, he is survived by three sons, John III, Terry and Ryan; a sister, Barbara; six grandchildren, and one great-grandchild.

Services: 11 a.m. today at Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witnesses, 5619 Walnut St. Friends may call at 8 a.m. Burial will be in Glenwood Memorial Gardens, Broomall. *