Who wrote play that funky music

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"Play That Funky Music" is a funk song written by Rob Parissi and originally recorded by the band Wild Cherry. Released in 1976, the song became a commercial success, reaching number one on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. The song has been covered by numerous artists and has been featured in several films and television shows.

Parissi wrote "Play That Funky Music" in the mid-1970s, inspired by the popular funk bands of the era such as Parliament-Funkadelic and the James Brown Band. He recorded a demo of the song with his band, Wild Cherry, and they were signed to Epic Records. The song was produced by Don Was and recorded at the Muscle Shoals studio in Alabama.

"Play That Funky Music" was released as a single in 1976 and became a commercial success, reaching number one on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. The song has been covered by numerous artists and has been featured in several films and television shows. In 1998, "Play That Funky Music" was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame.

Table of Contents

1 What is the story behind Play That Funky Music?
2 When was Play That Funky Music written?
3 Who wrote and sang Play That Funky Music?
4 Is Play That Funky Music a one hit wonder?
5 What genre is play that funky music?
6 Who is the lead singer in Wild Cherry?
7 Who’s the lead singer of Wild Cherry?

What is the story behind Play That Funky Music?

"Play That Funky Music" is a song by the Wild Cherry band. Released in 1976, the song became a major hit, reaching number one on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. The song’s lyrics are about a man who is tired of playing music that is sad and depressing, and who wants to play music that is fun and funky.

The Wild Cherry band was formed in Cincinatti, Ohio, in 1973. The band’s original lineup consisted of lead singer Rob Parissi, guitarist Rick Witkowski, bassist Greg Barnhill, and drummer Michael Brown. The band’s first album, Wild Cherry, was released in 1974. The album failed to make any impact, and the band broke up shortly after its release.

In 1976, the band reformed, with Parissi now serving as the band’s only original member. The band’s second album, Play That Funky Music, was released later that year. The album’s lead single, "Play That Funky Music," became a major hit, reaching number one on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.

The song’s lyrics are about a man who is tired of playing music that is sad and depressing, and who wants to play music that is fun and funky. The song’s refrain, "Play that funky music white boy," has become a popular catchphrase.

The Wild Cherry band broke up in 1978, and Parissi went on to pursue a solo career. The band’s original lineup has never reunited.

"Play That Funky Music" has been covered by many artists, including Vanilla Ice, who had a hit with his version in 1991.

When was Play That Funky Music written?

Play That Funky Music was written by Wild Cherry in 1976. It was their first and only hit song, reaching number one on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.

Who wrote and sang Play That Funky Music?

In the early 1970s, a new funk sound was emerging from the streets of Detroit. A band called Wild Cherry was at the forefront of this movement, and their biggest hit was the song "Play That Funky Music."

But who wrote and sang "Play That Funky Music?" That question has been the subject of some debate over the years.

The song was written by the band’s keyboardist, Ron White, and it was his voice that you hear on the original recording. However, White was not the group’s lead singer, and so the vocals on the song were performed by lead singer Rob Parissi.

In later years, White has taken credit for the song’s writing and singing, and he has even performed it live as a solo artist. But Parissi still disputes White’s claim, and the two men have a long-standing feud over the song’s authorship.

So who really wrote and sang "Play That Funky Music?" The answer is still up for debate.

Is Play That Funky Music a one hit wonder?

In the early 1970s, a funk band from Cincinnati, Ohio, burst onto the music scene with a smash hit single that would come to define the era. "Play That Funky Music," by Wild Cherry, was an instant chart-topper, and the song’s signature riff has been sampled by countless artists over the years.

But after one hit, Wild Cherry disappeared from the music scene. Did the band simply flame out after one big success, or was there more to the story?

Wild Cherry was formed in 1971 by Rob Parissi, who was working as a disc jockey at a Cincinnati radio station. Parissi was looking for a band to play at the station’s annual dance, and he was impressed by the energy of the performers he saw at a local nightclub.

He recruited some of the musicians from that band to form Wild Cherry, and the group quickly found success with its unique blend of funk and rock. Their first single, "Play That Funky Music," was released in early 1976 and became a massive hit, reaching the top of the charts in the US and Canada.

The song’s funky riff has been sampled by countless artists over the years, and it remains a funk classic. But after one big hit, Wild Cherry disappeared from the music scene.

There are a few different theories about what happened to the band. Some say that they disbanded after their first album failed to match the success of "Play That Funky Music." Others claim that the members of Wild Cherry had a falling out and split up.

A more likely explanation is that the band simply ran out of ideas. The music industry was in the midst of a transformation in the late 1970s, and Wild Cherry may have been unable to keep up with the changing trends.

Whatever the reason, "Play That Funky Music" remains a one-hit wonder. But that one hit is a classic, and it’s sure to get your feet moving on a dance floor.

What genre is play that funky music?

There are many different types of music, and it can be difficult to determine what genre a particular song falls into. With that said, funk music is a genre that is often difficult to classify.

Funk music originated in the early 1970s, and it is characterized by a funky groove and soulful sound. While funk music has been influenced by a variety of genres, including jazz, soul, and rock, it has its own unique sound that is often difficult to replicate.

One of the defining features of funk music is the bassline. The bassline is often what gives funk music its funky groove, and it is often played with a wah-wah pedal to create a distinctive sound. The drums are also an important part of funk music, and they are often played in a funky style that helps to create the groove.

The guitars and vocals often take a backseat to the bass and drums in funk music, and the songs are typically shorter than other genres. Funk music is often associated with dance music, and it is often played at clubs and parties.

While there are many different types of funk music, the most popular subgenre is probably disco funk. Disco funk is a style of funk music that was popular in the 1970s and 1980s. It is characterized by a funky groove, soulful sound, and disco beat.

Disco funk songs are typically longer than other types of funk music, and they often feature synthesizers and horns. Some of the most popular disco funk songs include "I Feel Good" by James Brown, "I Will Survive" by Gloria Gaynor, and "Super Freak" by Rick James.

Who is the lead singer in Wild Cherry?

Wild Cherry was a popular 1970s-era band known for their hit songs "Play That Funky Music" and "I Feel Like Dancing". While the band has had many different lead singers over the years, the most well-known and longest-tenured lead singer was Rob Parissi.

Parissi was born in Philadelphia, PA in 1954 and began his music career in the early 1970s as the lead singer for a band called Street Arabs. In 1976, he joined Wild Cherry and helped them achieve mainstream success with their hit songs "Play That Funky Music" and "I Feel Like Dancing".

After Wild Cherry disbanded in 1982, Parissi went on to have a successful solo career, recording three albums and charting six singles on the Billboard Hot 100. He also worked as a record producer and wrote songs for other artists.

Parissi continued to perform live until his death from pancreatic cancer in 2017. He was 63 years old.

Who’s the lead singer of Wild Cherry?

Wild Cherry was an American funk band best known for their 1976 hit "Play That Funky Music." The band’s lead singer was Rob Parissi.

Parissi was born in 1951 in Youngstown, Ohio. He grew up in a musical family and began playing the guitar at the age of six. He formed Wild Cherry in 1972 with three friends from college.

The band’s first album, Wild Cherry, was released in 1973. They had a minor hit with the song "Soul Clap ’75."

Their biggest hit came in 1976 with the song "Play That Funky Music." The song reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and was certified platinum.

The band broke up in 1977. Parissi went on to form the band Street Corner Symphony.

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