Wild Cherry

Wild Cherry was an American funk rock band best known for their song "Play That Funky Music". The original lineup included Rob Parissi, Ben Difabbio, Louie Osso, Larry Brown, and Larry Mader.

Early Wild Cherry songs included "You Can Be High (But Lay Low)" and "Something Special On Your Mind". Demos and singles recorded include "Get Down" and "Show Me Your Badge" in 1973.

At the 2001 Club in Pittsburgh, a table full of black fans kept coming to the stage and teasing: "Are you white boys gonna play some funky music?" Rob Parissi was inspired to write a song around the phrase.

"Play That Funky Music" became a huge hit when it was released in 1976, peaking at number one on both the Billboard R&B and pop charts. Both the single and Wild Cherry's self-titled debut album went platinum. "Play That Funky Music" was No. 1 on the Billboard charts for 3 weeks. The band was named Best Pop Group of the Year by Billboard, and received an American Music Award for Top 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 that year.

Other albums from the group included Electrified Funk in 1977, I Love My Music in 1978 and Only the Wild Survive in 1979.

Wild Cherry would disband in 1979 and band members would go on to other music projects.

Music Video

 * Play That Funky Music