"Wild Cherry" was an American rock and disco-funk band that
formed in Mingo Junction, Ohio, in 1970. Founded by singer and guitarist Rob
Parissi, originally from Mingo Junction, Ohio, the band's name was inspired
from a box of cough drops. The original lineup included Ben Difabbio on drums
and vocals, Louie Osso on guitar and vocals, both from Steubenville, Larry
Brown on bass and vocals, from Weirton, West Virginia, Larry Mader on keyboard
and vocals, from East Springfield, Ohio, and Ron Vallera on guitar and backing
vocals, also from Steubenville, Ohio. In 1971, the band released their first
singles "You Can Be High (But Lay Low)" and "Something Special
On Your Mind". At this stage, their music was predominantly rock. Thanks
to these songs, Wild Cherry obtained a recording contract with Brown Bag
Records, which produced the subsequent singles "Get Down" (1973) and
"Show Me Your Badge" (1973). After the band's dissolution, Parissi
temporarily abandoned the music scene, only to reform the band in 1975.
The new lineup included Bryan Bassett on guitar and vocals, Allen Wentz on
bass, synthesizer and vocals, Ronald Beitle on drums, along with Parissi. In
1976, the single "Play That Funky Music" became their biggest hit,
reaching number one on both Billboard's R&B and Pop charts. Both the single
and Wild Cherry's self-titled debut album went platinum. The band was named
Billboard's Top Pop Group of the Year and received an American Music Award for
Best R&B Single of the Year, as well as a pair of Grammy nominations for
Best New Vocal Group and Best R&B Performance by a Group or Duo.
Subsequently, the band released the albums "Electrified Funk" (1977),
"I Love My Music" (1978) and "Only the Wild Survive"
(1979). Their last hit single was "Try a Piece of My Love" in 1979,
before the band broke up later that year. On August 11, 2013, residents of
Mingo Junction, Ohio, Parissi's hometown, renamed the village's main street as
"Rob Parissi Boulevard" and declared August 11 as "Rob Parissi
Day."
Album
1976 - Wild Cherry
1977 - Electrifield Funk
1978 - I Love My Music
1979 - Only The Wild Survive
Singles
1970 - You Can Be High (But Lay Low)
1971 - Something Special On Your Mind
1972 - Show Me Your Badge
1972 - Get Down
1975 - Voodoo Doll
1976 - Play That Funky Music
1976 - Baby Don't You Know
1977 - Hold On
1977 - I Feel Sanctifield
1977 - Dancin' Music Band
1978 - 1 2 3 Kind Of Love
1978 - I Love My Music
1978 - This Old Heart Of Mine
1978 - It's The Same Old Song
1979 - Try A Piece Of My Love
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