Last Updated on February 19, 2024 by Nasir Hanif
A musician and songwriter, Rob Parissi is best known as the lead singer and founder of the band Wild Cherry. One of the band’s most well-known songs is “Play That Funky Music,” released in 1976. In addition to reaching the top of the Billboard Hot 100 chart, the song was also a huge commercial success. This article will look closely at Rob Parissi net worth and more info.
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Early life of Rob Parissi
Born in 1950, he grew up in Mingo Junction, Ohio, a steel mill town where his father was a foreman. As a result of his attendance at Mingo High School from 1968 to 1969, he graduated with a high school diploma. On the Ohio River, just a mile north of Mingo Junction, Rob started the band Wild Cherry in 1970.
Rob’s mother, Wild Cherry, inspired the band’s name. Additionally, the band played in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, as well as throughout the Ohio Valley, Wheeling, West Virginia, and the northern West Virginia panhandle.
Physical appearance of Rob Parissi
Rob Parissi is a tall man with a lean build. He has dark hair, which he often wears styled in a classic shortcut. He has striking, piercing blue eyes and a strong jawline. He is often seen wearing stylish yet understated clothing and is known for his impeccable sense of style. He is often described as charismatic and confident and is known to command attention when he enters a room.
Family of Rob Parissi
Rob Parissi comes from a close-knit, working-class family. As a child, he lived in a small Pennsylvania town where his parents worked in factories. Despite their humble beginnings, they instilled a strong work ethic in Rob from a young age.
Rob is the eldest of three children, and he has a younger brother and a sister. He is known to be very close with his family and is often seen spending time with them during his rare breaks from his busy schedule.
His professional career
After college, Parissi moved to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, where he formed Wild Cherry in 1970. The band initially consisted of Parissi on vocals and guitar, Mark Avsec on keyboards, Allen Wentz on bass, and Ron Beetle on drums. They began playing in local clubs and quickly gained a following. A commercial success, “Play That Funky Music” reached the top of the Billboard Hot 100 chart in 1976, giving the band their big break. A number of other countries also ranked it among the top 10 hits.
After the success of “Play That Funky Music,” Wild Cherry released two more albums, “Electrified Funk” (1977) and “I Love My Music” (1978). Although the band had several other hits, they never again reached the same level of success as “Play That Funky Music.”
A hit song was included on the band’s self-titled debut album, Wild Cherry, released in 1976. Gold certification was granted to the album for its commercial success. There were several more albums released by the band throughout the 1970s, but none of them matched the popularity of their debut. The Wild Cherry band disbanded in 1979.
Parissi dissolved the band in 1980. He later worked as a producer and songwriter for other artists and released solo albums. As well as his music career, Parissi is involved in a variety of business ventures, including real estate investment and opening a recording studio.
After the disbandment of Wild Cherry, Parissi worked as a record producer and songwriter. Many of his songs appear in films and tv shows. He has also produced albums for other artists. In the late 1990s, he formed a new band called “Rob Parissi’s Wild Cherry,” and they released a new album in 2000.
Tours and performances are still performed by the band today.
Overall, Rob Parissi has had a successful career as a musician and songwriter, and Rob Parissi net worth is a testament to his hard work and talent. His song “Play That Funky Music” remains a classic and continues to be popular today.
Rob Parissi’s Entrepreneurial Ventures
Aside from his music career, Rob Parissi has ventured into various business endeavors, notably in real estate investment. Demonstrating astute business acumen, Parissi has successfully identified undervalued properties and transformed them into lucrative investments. A standout example is his acquisition of a rundown apartment complex in a burgeoning neighborhood, where he implemented strategic renovations and modernizations to attract higher-paying tenants, ultimately yielding substantial profits upon resale. Moreover, Parissi has displayed a knack for repurposing commercial properties, such as converting a former factory into a modern office complex, thereby generating steady rental income while enhancing property value. Additionally, his commitment to sustainability is evident through investments in renewable energy and water conservation systems, underscoring both his entrepreneurial prowess and environmental consciousness.
Rob Parissi net worth
Rob Parissi is a musician and songwriter who is best known as the lead vocalist and guitarist of the band Wild Cherry. According to various resources, Parissi net worth is around $5 million. He has amassed this fortune through his successful career as a musician and songwriter and royalties from his hit song “Play That Funky Music.”
Rob’s Personal life
Rob Parissi has been married twice. Three of his children are from his first marriage. As an active member of the music industry, he currently lives in Pittsburgh. Marriage and Family Parissi married his long-time partner in a private ceremony surrounded by close family and friends.
Since they have been together for many years, they have built a solid and loving relationship. Together they have two children and are passionate about music, which they pass along to them. Spending time together and taking trips together are important parts of their close-knit family.
Despite his busy schedule as a musician, Parissi makes a point to balance his work and family life.
He prioritizes spending time with his wife and children and makes sure to be present in their lives as much as possible. He also involves his family in his work, who often attend his shows and events.
Charitable work of Rob Parissi
Rob Parissi, the lead singer and songwriter of the band Wild Cherry, is known for his contributions to the music industry and his charitable work. Throughout his life, he has supported various causes and made a positive impact on the community.
One of the causes that Parissi is particularly passionate about is education. He has been involved in various initiatives to support local schools and students, including providing scholarships to deserving students and donating resources to help improve educational opportunities in his community.
In addition to his work in education, Parissi has also been active in supporting the arts. He has donated time and resources to help promote music and arts programs in his community, recognizing the importance of these programs in fostering creativity and encouraging self-expression.
Furthermore, Parissi has also been recognized for his charitable efforts, receiving the “Humanitarian of the Year” award from the West Virginia Governor’s Office for his contributions to various philanthropic causes.
Rob Parissi’s charitable work has positively impacted his community and beyond, making a meaningful difference in many people’s lives. Throughout his life, he has committed himself to education and the arts, as a way to make a positive impact on those around him. His recognition as a Humanitarian of the year is a testament to his philanthropic efforts.
Awards and accomplishments of Rob Parissi
Rob Parissi, the lead singer and songwriter of the band Wild Cherry, has had a successful career in the music industry, earning numerous awards and accolades for his contributions.
One of his most notable achievements is writing and performing the hit song “Play That Funky Music,” which topped the Billboard Hot 100 chart in 1976. This song is considered one of the most iconic and enduring disco-era hits and has been featured in various movies, television shows, and commercials.
In addition to this success, Parissi has also been honored with several awards for his songwriting and musical talents. He was inducted into the West Virginia Music Hall of Fame in 2015 to recognize his contributions to the music industry and his West Virginia roots.
In addition to the above, Parissi has received the ASCAP award for his songwriting and publishing. Songwriters who have made a significant contribution to the music industry are presented with this award.
Furthermore, Parissi has also been recognized for his charitable work, receiving the “Humanitarian of the Year” award from the West Virginia Governor’s Office for supporting various philanthropic causes, including education and the arts.
Overall, Rob Parissi has had a successful and accomplished career in the music industry, earning recognition for his talents as a songwriter and performer and for his humanitarian efforts.
Real estate investment by Rob Parissi
Rob Parissi is a successful businessman and entrepreneur who makes his living through real estate investment. He is known for his keen eye for finding undervalued properties and his ability to turn them into profitable investments.
One of Parissi’s most notable investments was in a run-down apartment complex in an up-and-coming neighborhood.
He saw potential in the location and purchased the property at a discounted price. He then invested in renovations and upgrades, including modernizing the units and improving the landscaping. As a result, he was able to attract higher-paying tenants and increase the rental income.
The property’s value also increased, allowing him to sell it at a significant profit.
Parissi also has a track record of successful investments in commercial properties. He has a knack for identifying underutilized buildings and repurposing them for more profitable uses. For example, he purchased a former factory and converted it into a modern office complex, which he leased to multiple businesses.
This not only generated a steady stream of rental income but also increased the value of the property. He invests in renewable energy and water conservation systems, this help to reduce the environmental impact of the properties and also helps to save money on utility bills for the tenants.
Lesser-known facts about Rob Parissi
- Rob Parissi wrote “Play That Funky Music” in just 15 minutes.
- The song was initially written as a rock song but was later reworked to include more funk elements.
- Parissi has stated that the inspiration for the song came from his frustration with the lack of recognition for funk music in the mainstream at the time.
- The song reached No. 4 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in 1990 when Vanilla Ice covered it.
- Before forming Wild Cherry, Parissi worked as a steel mill worker in his hometown of Mingo Junction, Ohio.
- He wrote “Play That Funky Music” in response to a comment by a patron at a bar where the band was playing, who told them to “play some white boy music.”
- The song was released in 1976 but wasn’t a hit until a year later when it was re-released.
- Wild Cherry never had another hit after “Play That Funky Music” and eventually disbanded in 1979.
- After the band’s breakup, Parissi retired from the music industry and entered the food service business, owning and operating several restaurants and catering companies.
- He continued to perform and tour with various incarnations of Wild Cherry, sometimes playing with musicians who had never been in the original band.
- In 2018, he was enshrined in the West Virginia Music Hall of Fame.
- Parissi is considered a one-hit wonder in the music industry, but he continues to perform and tour with his band, keeping the legacy of “Play That Funky Music” alive.
Final thoughts
Musician and songwriter Rob Parissi is best known as the lead vocalist and founder of the band Wild Cherry. He is also known for being the writer of the hit single “Play That Funky Music,” which was a commercial success and reached the top of the Billboard Hot 100 chart. His career in music has been successful and he continues to perform and tour.
Rob Parissi may not be as well-known as other musicians of his era, but he significantly impacted the music industry with his hit song “Play That Funky Music.” The song remains a staple on classic rock radio and has been featured in numerous films and television shows.
Apart from that, if you are interested to know about “Rob Stringer Net Worth“ then visit our Entertainment category.
FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)
- Who is Rob Parissi?
Known as the lead vocalist and primary songwriter of Wild Cherry, Rob Parissi is an American songwriter and musician. He is best known for writing and singing the hit song “Play that Funky Music.”
- What is the background of Rob Parissi?
Rob Parissi was born in Mingo Junction, Ohio, on June 27, 1950. The guitarist formed Wild Cherry in the early 1970s when he was a teenager. ‘Play that Funky Music’ was the band’s debut single, which reached the top of the Billboard Hot 100 chart, becoming a gold record.
- What other hit songs did Rob Parissi write?
Besides “Play that Funky Music,” Rob Parissi also wrote the songs “The Lady Wants Your Money,” “Hold On,” and “I Feel Sanctified.”
- What is the legacy of Rob Parissi?
Rob Parissi’s legacy is tied to the success of “Play that Funky Music,” which is widely considered one of the most popular and enduring funk rock songs of all time. In addition to being featured in numerous films, television shows, and commercials, the song has been covered by numerous artists. They are considered one of the most successful American funk-rock bands of the 1970s, with albums selling over 25 million copies worldwide.
