Entertainment · Music · 2 hrs ago
Pittsburgh rock musician Donnie Iris dies at 83
Pittsburgh musician Donnie Iris died at 83 on Monday after a battle with bladder cancer.
Born Dominic Ierace in New Castle, Pennsylvania, he spent more than six decades making music.
He first became widely known with the Jaggerz, whose 1970 hit “The Rapper” reached No.
1.
He later formed Donnie Iris & The Cruisers, whose songs included “Ah!
Leah!”
and “Love Is Like a Rock.”
Those tracks became enduring anthems in the Pittsburgh area, where Iris was regarded as a local music icon.
Iris retired from live performances on Oct.
9, citing recent health issues, after his final show on Sept.
28 at Citizens Live at the Wylie.
He had no further concert performances planned.
Pittsburgh rock musician Donnie Iris died Monday at 83, according to reports and people who knew him.
TribLIVE.com reported that Iris died after a battle with bladder cancer; CBS News said he had been diagnosed with cancer.
Iris had a hit with The Jaggerz in 1970 and later charted songs including “Ah! Leah!” with Donnie Iris and the Cruisers.
He announced his retirement from live performances on Oct. 9, weeks after his final show on Sept. 28.
- Who
- Dominic Ierace, known professionally as Donnie Iris, a Pittsburgh rock musician.
- What
- He died at 83.
- When
- Monday, Oct. 26, 2026.
- Where
- Not stated.
- Why
- TribLIVE.com reported that he died after a battle with bladder cancer.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Iris was diagnosed with cancer shortly after his sold-out 80th birthday show, according to CBS News.
Iris headlined a preview show at Citizens Live at the Wylie, which TribLIVE.com described as his final performance.
Iris announced on social media that he was retiring from live performances.
Iris died at 83.
- Age at death
- 83
- Birth name
- Dominic Ierace
- Breakthrough hit
- The Rapper,” with The Jaggerz, in 1970
- Best-known song
- Ah! Leah!
- Final performance
- Sept. 28 at Citizens Live at the Wylie
3 sources
What people are saying
He became iconic in our area. … A super talent, and one of the very few talents who actually made it big out of Pittsburgh in the rock and roll business.
After much thought, and in light of recent health issues, I have made the difficult decision to retire from future concert performances.
Donnie was the prototype.