Donnie Iris Dies: ‘Ah! Leah!’ & ‘The Rapper’ Singer Was 83
Singer Donnie Iris, best known for the Jaggerz’ hit “The Rapper” and his solo-era success with “Ah! Leah!,” died in Pittsburgh on 26 October, aged 83. He had been diagnosed with bladder cancer three years earlier, though no cause of death was given. His death was announced by drummer Joe Vitale Jr., and Iris had retired from live performing earlier this month because of health issues.
Born Dominic Ierace in Pennsylvania in 1943, Iris wrote and sang “The Rapper”, which reached No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1970. After joining Wild Cherry, he formed Donnie Iris and the Cruisers; their 1980 song “Ah! Leah!” peaked at No. 29 and became a fixture on rock radio and early MTV. He continued recording and performing for decades and remained a popular figure in the Pittsburgh area.
In short
- Donnie Iris died in Pittsburgh aged 83.
- “The Rapper” reached No. 2 in 1970.
- “Ah! Leah!” became a rock-radio and MTV favourite.
Explained simply
Donnie Iris was the stage name of Dominic Ierace, a Pennsylvania-born singer and songwriter. He first became widely known with the Jaggerz, a band whose song “The Rapper” reached the US top two in 1970.
After a spell with Wild Cherry, Iris formed Donnie Iris and the Cruisers. Their song “Ah! Leah!” became his best-known solo-era hit and helped bring his music to rock radio and early music television.
Iris continued to record and perform for decades, building a lasting following in the Pittsburgh area. His career links two eras of American popular music, from the chart success of the early 1970s to the rise of music videos in the 1980s.