Wild Cherry

One-hit wonders Wild Cherry was led by <a href="spotify:artist:3OUIn9puTSnKMNLE0ra4iY" data-name="Rob Parissi">Rob Parissi</a> (singer, guitarist, songwriter), who originally formed the group in 1970. Influenced by the likes of <a href="spotify:artist:2lxX1ivRYp26soIavdG9bX" data-name="The Yardbirds">The Yardbirds</a> and <a href="spotify:artist:5m8H6zSadhu1j9Yi04VLqD" data-name="Sly &amp; The Family Stone">Sly &amp; The Family Stone</a> (and named after a flavor of cough drops), the group played around their hometown of Pittsburgh, PA, and even inked a recording contract with Brown Bag Records (led by former <a href="spotify:artist:0qEcf3SFlpRcb3lK3f2GZI" data-name="Grand Funk Railroad">Grand Funk Railroad</a> manager Terry Knight). But the group never issued any albums for the label and split up in 1975. Understandably dejected, <a href="spotify:artist:3OUIn9puTSnKMNLE0ra4iY" data-name="Rob Parissi">Rob Parissi</a> turned his back entirely on music, selling all the band&#39;s equipment and for a while, managing a local steakhouse. But it wasn&#39;t long before <a href="spotify:artist:3OUIn9puTSnKMNLE0ra4iY" data-name="Rob Parissi">Rob Parissi</a>&#39;s interest in music returned and he formed a new version of Wild Cherry with a whole new lineup, including Mark Ausec (keyboards), Bryan Bassett (guitar), <a href="spotify:artist:4MgxyZbfKDeM6dFZILBBqW" data-name="Allen Wentz">Allen Wentz</a> (bass), and Ronald Beitle (drums).

The group was still mostly rock-based and with the public&#39;s attention shifting to more dance-oriented styles (namely disco), the group was accosted nightly between sets by fans who wanted them to &#34;Play that funky music.&#34; It wasn&#39;t long before <a href="spotify:artist:3OUIn9puTSnKMNLE0ra4iY" data-name="Rob Parissi">Rob Parissi</a> took heed and penned a song under the same title, an infectious ditty that merged funk and rock together. The quintet entered a studio shortly thereafter to record the track (although they felt that a cover of <a href="spotify:artist:6twIAGnYuIT1pncMAsXnEm" data-name="Commodores">Commodores</a> song &#34;I Feel Sanctified&#34; stood more of a chance of becoming a hit).
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