Wild Cherry (band)

Wild Cherry was an American Funk-/Rockband, which is known for its number -one hit Play That Funky Music.

Band History

The lead singer and guitarist Rob Parissi grew up in Mingo Junction, Ohio. In 1970 he formed the band Wild Cherry. The band name came from a pack of cough drops that during a short hospital stay took Rob to himself. The original band members included Ben Difabbio (drums and vocals), Louie Osso (guitar and vocals), Larry Brown (bass and vocals), Larry Mader ( keyboards and vocals ) and Rob Parissi. Over the years there have been some changes, with Osso, Brown and Mader, who left the band and Rob's cousin Coogie Stoddart (guitar and vocals), Joe Buchmelter (bass) and Buckie Lusk ( bass), who joined the band.

In the early 1970s, some songs were self-published, including You Can Be High (But Lay Low ) and Something Special On Your Mind. Their musical style at this time was only rock music. Finally they got a record deal from Brown Bag Records and released on this label, featuring songs like Get Down and Show Me Your Badge. Then the band broke up and Parissi tried as an operator of a local steakhouse. However, this was not particularly successful and returned as his enthusiasm for the music, he decided to try it again.

Parissi founded the band again with new musicians. The new members included Bryan Bassett (guitar and vocals), Ron Beitle (drums) and Allen Wentz (bass guitar and vocals). At this time was just the new music style Disco arise on and the band was asked increasingly to play more dance music. In 2001 Club in Pittsburgh one day a group schwarzhäutiger fans came to the stage and teased:

"Are you white boys gonna play some funky music? "

" Will you white boys some funky music playing? "

One evening during a concert intermission expressed drummer Ron Beitle the term " Play That Funky Music, White Boy ". Rob Parissi was immediately inspired and wrote a song to this expression in five minutes. Back in the studio, as they wanted to record the song, the studio engineer Ken Hamann hit potential was enthusiastic and made the record company Sweet City Records attention to the band that they signed her immediately. Parissi wanted the song first published on the B-side of the cover version of Commodores ' I Feel Sanctified. However, the label convinced them to release the song on the A side.

Play That Funky Music was a huge success when it was released in 1976 and reached number -one in both the Billboard R & B charts as well as in the Hot 100, the single as well as the self-titled debut album reached platinum status. The band was nominated by Billboard as the best pop group of the year and received an American Music Award for Best R & B Single of the Year and two Grammy nominations for Best New Vocal Group and Best R & B Performance by a Group or Duo.

The following two albums they had repeatedly chart success with the singles foldenden: Baby Do not You Know ( 1977, # 43), Hot to Trot ( 1977, # 95), Hold On ( 1977 # 61) and I Love My Music ( 1978 # 69). With the last album Only the Wild Survive (1979 ), they reached no placement on the Hot 100 more.

In 1979, the band split and some members pursued later new band projects. The Single Play That Funky Music was covered in 1988 by the rock band Roxanne and 1990 re-interpreted by Vanilla Ice.

Discography

Albums

  • Wild Cherry (1976 )
  • Electrified Funk ( 1977)
  • I Love My Music ( 1978)
  • Only the Wild Survive (1979 )

Compilations

  • Play the Funk (2000)
  • Super Hits (2002)

Singles

  • Get Down / Livin '& Lovin' (1972 )
  • Show Me Your Badge / Bring Back the Fire ( 1973)
  • Play That Funky Music (1976 )
  • I Feel Sanctified (1976 )
  • Baby Do not You Know (1977 )
  • Hold On ( With Strings ) ( 1977)
  • Hot to Trot (1977 )
  • 123 Kind of Love (1978 )
  • This Old Heart of Mine ( 1978)
  • Try a Piece of My Love (1979 )

Promos

  • Get Down (1972 )
  • Show Me Your Badge
  • Hold On ( With Strings ) ( 1977)
  • Do not Wait Too Long / Try a Piece of My Love (1979 )
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