Wild Cherry

The disco group Wild Cherry may be one-hit wonders, but they gave the world a perennial dance-floor filler in the form of 1976’s “Play That Funky Music.” • Ohio-born singer and guitarist Rob Parissi formed Wild Cherry as a rock group in 1970. He got the band name from a box of cough drops. • After a fruitless record deal, Parissi broke up the band in 1975. He eventually put together a new lineup and began playing to audiences that were increasingly interested in disco music. • Inspired by audience jeers, Parissi wrote the disco-inflected single “Play That Funky Music,” which landed them a deal with Epic Records. • “Play That Funky Music” reached No. 1 on both the pop and R&B charts and earned Wild Cherry and two Grammy nominations: Best New Artist and Best R&B Vocal Performance By a Duo, Group or Chorus. • The group’s self-titled 1976 debut album topped the R&B albums chart and went platinum. • Wild Cherry released three more albums that failed to match the success of their breakthrough effort. They disbanded in 1979.