TDC - Donnie Iris, 83

[alantig]

There aren’t many Pittsburgh legends known with just one name. Say “Donnie,” or, rather, “Dahnie,” in these parts and everyone knows exactly who you’re talking about.

Donnie Iris has been a legend in Western Pennsylvania going all the way back to the late ’60s as a member of The Jaggerz.

Iris, whose soaring vocals powered the hits “Ah! Leah!,” “Love Is Like a Rock” and “My Girl,” died Monday, according to friends and bandmates, after battling bladder cancer for three years. He was 83.

“For my money, he was the most beloved Pittsburgh musician of all time,” his colleague Joe Grushecky said. “I don’t know anyone who was loved more than Donnie. He just had that warmth about him, and it came through in his performance.”

Born Dominic Ierace in New Castle and raised in Ellwood City, Iris grew up on a steady diet of Frank Sinatra, Tony Bennett, Elvis Presley and, eventually, the Beatles, Rolling Stones and Motown.

We saw him in February, and he still had the voice and could still hit the high notes.  He was doing a very cool arrangement of "Ah! Leah", starting as a slower, bluesier take on it before breaking into the classic version.

RIP, Donnie, and thank you for the music.

Edited yesterday at 03:48 AM by alantig

[mrjamiam]

Saw the name and heard the song in my head.  He definitely left a legacy.  RIP.

[scottcald]

Sorry to hear that, he was really cool.  83 is a pretty good run, though. 

[Hamerica]

Donnie Iris gone, this one broke my heart even though I had heard he was ill and canceling dates. .  Iris "Back on the Streets" remains one of my favorite albums of all time.   Rest in Peace and Gods Speed Donnie! Thank you for the tunes.  My personal favorite is "Shock Treatment".   Just pure genius and fit Donnie's personality  to a "T".  

Condolences to his family, his friends and his fans.  

Hamerica

[Steve Haynie]

He did not look as cool as the music, but it worked.  I wish I had seen him in concert.  

[hamerhead]

This is sad. His range was incredible. And he was still out there doing it. Amazing. His recent YT videos were great, still knocking them out. And 'Ah Leah' still sounds great after all these years.

R.I.P., Dominic Ierace.

[HamerHokie]

Ah! Leah was the soundtrack to my senior year in high school.  Reminds me of cheap beer and wimmens.