Early lineups (1970–1974) Rob Parissi (lead vocals and guitar) was raised in the steel-mill town of
Mingo Junction, Ohio. He graduated from
Mingo High School in 1968 and formed the band Wild Cherry in 1970 in
Steubenville,
Ohio. The band's name, 'Wild Cherry', was taken from a box of cough drops. Parissi had intended to record the song as the
B-side to a cover version of the
Commodores' "I Feel Sanctified", but the label suggested it as the A-side instead. "Play That Funky Music" became a huge hit when released in 1976, peaking at number one on both the
Billboard R&B and pop charts. A lawsuit related to "Ah! Leah!" inspired Avsec to become a copyright lawyer. • Allen Wentz moved to New York City and became a session synthesizer specialist, playing on many records and jingles. He has worked with artists ranging from
Luther Vandross and
Roberta Flack to
Cyndi Lauper. • Bryan Bassett became a producer and engineer at King Snake Studio in
Sanford, Florida. He has played with
Foghat and
Molly Hatchet, and he has also served as a board governor for the Florida Chapter of
NARAS. • Parissi moved to
Miami, Florida in 1979 and formed a tour band with
Bobby Caldwell. He and his wife, Ilona, established a scholarship endowment for his former consolidated high school, now named
Indian Creek High School, and he returns every year to do a charity fundraiser. • Ron Beitle (1954–2017) performed with several rock bands, including Nied's Hotel Band in Lawrenceville, Pennsylvania. He died in 2017. ==Musical style==