Wild Cherry is best remembered for their infectious 1976 hit “Play That Funky Music.” The Ohio-based band blended funk, rock, and a touch of disco to create a song that topped charts and became a party staple. While their career was brief and marked by lineup changes, Wild Cherry made a lasting impression with a single track that continues to resonate. Though they tried to replicate their success, none of their later songs achieved the same impact.
| Artist | Wild Cherry |
|---|---|
| Origin | Steubenville, Ohio, USA |
| Genres | Funk Rock, Disco, R&B |
| Years Active | 1970–1979 |
| Labels | Epic Records, Brown Bag Records |
| Notable Members | Rob Parissi, Bryan Bassett, Allen Wentz, Ronald Beitle, Mark Avsec |
| Biggest Hit | “Play That Funky Music” (1976) |
| Albums | Wild Cherry (1976), Electrified Funk (1977), I Love My Music (1978), Only the Wild Survive (1979) |
| Legacy | One-hit wonder status; “Play That Funky Music” remains popular in pop culture |
Formation and Early Years
Wild Cherry formed in 1970 in Steubenville, Ohio. The group was led by Rob Parissi, a singer, guitarist, and songwriter. The name “Wild Cherry” came from a flavor of cough syrup Parissi remembered from his childhood.
The original lineup featured Parissi, Ben DiFabbio (drums), Larry Brown (bass), and Larry Mader (keyboard). They played clubs in the Pittsburgh area and eventually signed with Brown Bag Records, founded by Terry Knight, former manager of Grand Funk Railroad.
Despite releasing a few singles like “Get Down” and “Show Me Your Badge,” the group failed to attract major attention. Their sound leaned more toward melodic hard rock and proto-power pop—styles that were soon overshadowed by changing musical tastes. By 1975, the original version of Wild Cherry had disbanded. Disheartened, Parissi took a break from music and managed a local steakhouse.
Rebirth and the Funky Shift
View this post on Instagram
Parissi returned to music later in 1975. He reformed Wild Cherry with a new lineup: Bryan Bassett (guitar), Allen Wentz (bass), Ronald Beitle (drums), and Mark Avsec (keyboard). This time, the band focused more on the funk and disco styles rising in popularity.
One night while playing in a club, the band was performing rock songs to a dance crowd. Frustrated by the mismatch, someone in the audience shouted, “Play that funky music, white boy!” That remark sparked an idea in Parissi’s mind. He went home and quickly wrote “Play That Funky Music,” finishing the lyrics in just a few minutes.
Wild Cherry recorded the song and initially intended to make it a B-side to their planned cover of The Commodores’ “I Feel Sanctified.” However, the studio engineer saw its potential and passed it along to Epic Records. Epic signed the band and insisted on making “Play That Funky Music” the A-side.
Chart-Topping Success
“Play That Funky Music” exploded in 1976. It reached:
-
#1 on the Billboard Hot 100
-
#1 on the Billboard R&B Singles Chart
-
#7 on the UK Singles Chart
The song’s mix of funk, rock, and disco appealed to a wide audience. Its playful lyrics and strong groove made it a favorite in clubs and on the radio.
The band’s self-titled debut album, Wild Cherry, also performed well. It peaked at #5 on the Billboard 200 and #1 on the Billboard R&B Albums chart. The album earned a platinum certification from the RIAA.
Wild Cherry received multiple honors, including:
-
Billboard’s “Best Pop Group of the Year” (1976)
-
American Music Award for “Top R&B Single of the Year”
-
Two Grammy nominations
Decline and Disbandment
After their breakout hit, Wild Cherry struggled to maintain momentum.
Their second album, Electrified Funk (1977), featured the minor hit “Baby Don’t You Know” but failed to produce another standout track. The group’s sound remained rooted in funk-rock, but public interest was shifting toward disco and emerging pop trends.
They released two more albums:
-
I Love My Music (1978)
-
Only the Wild Survive (1979)
Neither charted significantly. Multiple lineup changes also disrupted the band’s stability. Despite efforts to evolve, Wild Cherry never recaptured their earlier success. By the end of 1979, the group disbanded.
Post-Breakup Activities
After the breakup, several members pursued other music careers.
-
Rob Parissi briefly worked as a disc jockey in Wheeling, West Virginia, and later focused on producing and writing adult contemporary and smooth jazz music.
-
Bryan Bassett played with Tumbling Dice and later joined the Silencers in 1983. He eventually became a guitarist for Foghat and Molly Hatchet.
-
Mark Avsec joined Donnie Iris and the Cruisers and later pursued a legal career while remaining active in music production.
Although Wild Cherry is seen as a one-hit wonder, their signature song remains a classic example of mid-1970s crossover funk rock.
Legacy of “Play That Funky Music”
“Play That Funky Music” is one of the most recognizable tracks from the disco-funk era. It is still played at parties, weddings, sporting events, and on oldies radio. Its catchy bass line, funky rhythm, and tongue-in-cheek lyrics give it lasting appeal.
The song has been sampled and covered by numerous artists and continues to generate royalties. It also appeared in several films, TV shows, and commercials, ensuring its presence across generations.
In many ways, Wild Cherry succeeded where it mattered most: creating a song that outlived its creators’ brief spotlight.
Discography
Studio Albums
-
Wild Cherry (1976) – Platinum
-
Electrified Funk (1977)
-
I Love My Music (1978)
-
Only the Wild Survive (1979)
Notable Singles
-
“Play That Funky Music” (1976) – #1 US, #7 UK
-
“Baby Don’t You Know” (1977)
-
“Hot to Trot” (1978)
-
“I Love My Music” (1978)
-
“Hold On” (1979)