Donnie Iris, Pittsburgh’s Favorite Rocker, Who Scored Hits With the Jaggerz and as a Solo Artist, Dies at 83
Donnie Iris, a defining figure in Pittsburgh rock, has died aged 83 after three years of bladder cancer treatment. His career spanned six decades, with national hits in the Jaggerz and as a solo frontman, while his lasting importance came from the deep affection he inspired across Pittsburgh and the wider Midwest.
With the Jaggerz, Iris sang on “The Rapper”, which reached No. 2 on the US Billboard Hot 100 in 1970. “Ah! Leah!” peaked at No. 29 in 1980, followed by “Love Is Like a Rock” and “My Girl” in 1981. He later played with Wild Cherry and formed Donnie Iris and the Cruisers with keyboard player Mark Avsec; Iris performed his final show on 28 September, seated after radiation treatment.
In short
- Pittsburgh rock favourite Donnie Iris has died aged 83.
- The Jaggerz’ “The Rapper” reached No. 2 in 1970.
- Iris performed his final show less than a month before his death.
Explained simply
Donnie Iris was a singer from western Pennsylvania whose career stretched from the 1960s into the 2020s. He first became widely known as a member of the Jaggerz, a pop and rock band from the Pittsburgh area, and later led his own band, Donnie Iris and the Cruisers.
His best-known songs included “The Rapper”, recorded with the Jaggerz, and solo hits such as “Ah! Leah!” and “Love Is Like a Rock”. Iris also spent time with Wild Cherry, another American rock band. His music remained closely associated with Pittsburgh and found a lasting audience across the wider Midwest.