Beloved rock musician Donnie Iris, known for hits like “Ah Leah!” and “The Rapper,” passed away from bladder cancer on Oct. 26, according to family. He was 83.
Born in New Castle, and raised in Ellwood City, Pa., Iris, whose given name is Dominic Ierace, started playing music early in life.
A Western Pennsylvania native, he attended Slippery Rock State College and was a member of the National Guard, and throughout a 60-year music career was regarded as a legend and a rock radio staple.
In 1970 Iris was the lead singer and songwriter for The Jaggerz, and had a huge hit with the classic track “The Rapper,” which was in heavy radio rotation.
Check out ‘The Rapper’ by The Jaggerz:
In the late 1970s Iris played in the funk-rock group Wild Cherry, performing on their 1979 album “Only the Wild Survive.”
In the 1980s, Iris kicked off a solo career backed by the Cruisers and gained worldwide accolades with the hit “Ah! Leah!” He followed up with “Love Is Like a Rock” and “My Girl.”
Read the Donnie Iris obituary here.
Listen to Donnie Iris music here:
