# 80s Hitmaker Dubbed the “Most Beloved Pittsburgh Musician of All Time” Dead at 83

- URL: https://talkfuse.com/story/80s-hitmaker-dubbed-the-most-beloved-pittsburgh-musician-of-all-time-dead-at-83/
- Published: 2026-10-27T12:59:37+00:00
- Updated: 2026-10-27T13:51:55+00:00
- Original publisher: American Songwriter
- Original article: https://americansongwriter.com/80s-hitmaker-dubbed-the-most-beloved-pittsburgh-musician-of-all-time-dead-at-83/
- Topics: Health, Medicine

## Key points

- Pittsburgh singer Donnie Iris has died aged 83.
- He continued performing while being treated for bladder cancer.
- His final show was on 28 September.

## Summary

Donnie Iris, the Pittsburgh singer known for hits including “Ah! Leah!”, has died aged 83 after battling bladder cancer. His death marks the loss of a longstanding local music figure whose career connected generations of fans and fellow musicians.

Iris rose to prominence in the 1960s and performed with the Jaggerz, Wild Cherry and the Cruisers. His final show was on 28 September at Citizens Live, where he sang after receiving radiation treatment earlier that day; friend and keyboardist Mark Avsec said Iris was in pain but wanted to perform for the audience. Iron City Houserockers leader Joe Grushecky remembered him as exceptionally loved in Pittsburgh for his warmth as well as his music.

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Summarised by TalkFuse (https://talkfuse.com/). Quote the original publisher for the reporting and link this page for the summary and discussion.