Donnie Iris, the Pittsburgh music legend behind “Ah! Leah!,” died, according to a former band member Monday. He was 83 years old.
Iris, who called Ellwood City her hometown, had been diagnosed with bladder cancer shortly after his sold-out 80th birthday show in 2023. He canceled several shows but later returned to the stage. He continued to play until he announced his retirement earlier this month after a concert at Citizens Live at the Wylie on September 28.
“After careful consideration and in light of recent health issues, I have made the difficult decision to withdraw from future concerts,” Iris said in a letter posted to social media on October 9. “Music has given me more than I could ever express. From the earliest days through every chapter of my life, your support has been a constant source of joy and inspiration.”
Iris’s rise to fame began in 1970 when he earned a gold record for writing and singing the No. 1 song “The Rapper” with the Jaggerz. After joining Wild Cherry in 1978, he met Mark Avsec and the two founded Donnie Iris & The Cruisers. They recorded the album “Back On The Streets”, which contained the hit song “Ah! Leah!”
Iris was dubbed “the new king of cool” by a critic after a show in 1980, and from that name came the follow-up album “King Cool.” The album contained the songs “Love Is Like A Rock”, “That’s The Way Love Should To Be” and “My Girl”.
During their time as a band, Donnie Iris & The Cruisers toured with names like Journey, Loverboy, Foreigner, Bon Jovi, Joan Jett and Hall & Oates.
Iris’ cause of death was not immediately released Monday.
“Even though I will no longer perform live, the memories, the music and the bonds we built together will always remain close to my heart,” Iris wrote in her retirement letter. “Thank you for your loyalty, your energy and your love throughout these years. It was a great honor for me to make music for you.”
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