Pittsburgh Rock Legend Donnie Iris Dies at 83

Pittsburgh's beloved rock musician Donnie Iris, whose birth name was Dominic Ierace, has died at the age of 83. His passing was confirmed on Monday, October 26, following a three-year struggle with bladder cancer. Iris was born on February 28, 1943, in New Castle, Pennsylvania, and developed his passion for singing from a young age, inspired by his mother. He began performing in school groups before co-founding the popular Pittsburgh band Jaggerz in 1964. Their 1970 single, "The Rapper," climbed to No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100.

Following Jaggerz's dissolution, Iris collaborated with B.E. Taylor and worked as a part-time engineer. His musical path led him to join Wild Cherry, where he met keyboardist Mark Avsec. Together, they established Donnie Iris and the Cruisers, achieving significant success with their 1980 hit "Ah! Leah!" which reached No. 29 on the Billboard charts. Iris continued to perform into his later years, with his final show taking place on September 28 at The Wylie, where he performed seated due to his illness.

Mark Avsec, Iris's longtime bandmate and friend, described his final performance as "singing like a bird" despite his pain, highlighting Iris's dedication to his fans. Just two weeks after this last show, Iris announced his retirement. Avsec shared a heartfelt tribute, remembering Iris as an "ordinary guy" who illuminated every room. He emphasized their close, "symbiotic" friendship that endured through their shared musical career and personal challenges.