Wild Cherry - An Ohio Is Music Legend Pt.8

Wild Cherry, a Legendary Funk Band From Ohio.

Wild Cherry was an American funk rock band formed in 1970 in Steubenville, Ohio. The band was comprised of lead vocalist Rob Parissi, guitarist Bryan Bassett, bassist Allen Wentz, and drummer Ron Beitle. Despite facing several challenges in the beginning, Wild Cherry went on to become one of the most successful funk rock bands of the 1970s.

Rob Parissi, the band’s founder, was born in Mingo Junction, Ohio, in 1948. He grew up in a musical family and was exposed to music at a young age. Parissi was drawn to rock and roll music, and he began playing the guitar when he was just 12 years old. As a teenager, he formed his first band and began playing local gigs. Parissi went on to attend college in Ohio, where he studied music. After college, he formed Wild Cherry and worked to establish the band in the Ohio music scene.

Wild Cherry's journey to success began in the early 1970s in Ohio. At the time, the music scene in Ohio was thriving, with many local bands playing at bars and clubs. Wild Cherry started as a cover band, playing music by popular artists such as Jimi Hendrix, Cream, and The Who. However, they soon realized that they needed to create their own sound if they wanted to stand out from the rest.

In the early days, Wild Cherry faced several challenges. They struggled to find gigs, and many of the local clubs were hesitant to book a band that played original music. However, the band continued to play wherever they could, honing their sound and perfecting their stage presence.

It was during this time that Wild Cherry wrote their most famous song, "Play That Funky Music." The song was initially written as a joke, with Parissi poking fun at a white guy trying to play funk music. However, when they played the song at a local club, the crowd went wild. The band realized they had something special and decided to record the song.

"Play That Funky Music" was released in 1976 and quickly became a huge hit. The song sold millions of copies worldwide, topped the charts and reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100. The song's success brought Wild Cherry instant fame, and they soon found themselves in demand as a touring act. They toured the country, playing to sold-out crowds and gaining new fans wherever they went.

In the following years, Wild Cherry released several more albums, including "I Love My Music" and "Electrified Funk." While these albums did not achieve the same level of success as "Play That Funky Music," they solidified Wild Cherry's place as one of the leading funk rock bands of the 1970s.

Since its release in 1976, the song "Play That Funky Music" by Wild Cherry has been widely recognized and has been sampled by several other artists, including:

Vanilla Ice sampled the guitar riff from "Play That Funky Music" for his hit song "Ice Ice Baby," which became a massive commercial success in the early 1990s.

Will Smith sampled "Play That Funky Music" for his hit song "Gettin' Jiggy Wit It," which was a top-ten hit in the US and several other countries.

Run-DMC used a sample of "Play That Funky Music" in their song "Here We Go (Live at the Funhouse)," which was included on their album "Tougher Than Leather."

Queen Latifah sampled "Play That Funky Music" in her song "U.N.I.T.Y." which was released in 1993.

And, The Beastie Boys used a sample of "Play That Funky Music" in their song "Rhymin & Stealin," which was released on their debut album "Licensed to Ill" in 1986.

Wild Cherry's music was characterized by its catchy melodies, funky grooves, and powerful guitar riffs. Their music was a fusion of funk, rock, and R&B, and they became known for their high-energy performances and infectious sound. The band's success was a testament to their talent and hard work.

However, Wild Cherry's success was not without its challenges. The band faced several internal conflicts, and several members left the band over the years. Despite these setbacks, Wild Cherry continued to tour and release new music, and they remain one of the most influential funk rock bands in the history of music.

Their music continues to inspire and entertain fans all over the world, and their legacy will continue to live on for generations to come.

We are proud to call Wild Cherry an Ohio is Music Legend.

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