The Unofficial Donnie Iris Site

Do You Compute? Do you have a Donnie Iris related story you'd like to share? If so, e-mail your story to webmaster@parallel-time.com and see it posted here for the rest of the world to read. Your story can be anything Donnie Iris related:

- when you became a Donnie Iris fan
- when you got your first Donnie Iris record
- your favorite Donnie Iris song and why
- the time you met Donnie Iris
- a Donnie Iris concert experience
- or anything else Donnie Iris related

Once you've e-mailed your submission, it will be added to this page along with all the other fan stories. Text may be slightly modified for readability purposes.

I discovered Donnie right before my junior year of high school in 1980. I was a fan ever since. Best memories: cruising Main Street in Newark DE, in my '69 Chevelle SS with my best friend, listening to "Love Is Like A Rock" cranked up so loud I blew out my prized Jensen tri-axes! Those were the days!
mgr2253 - received 5/26/2006

I just wanted to say that DONNIE IRIS is really great and I've said this a thousand times that his song "Ah! Leah!" is thee greatest song I've ever heard and I request it here in Dayton, Ohio all the time on the radio. Thanks.
Freddie White - Dayton, Ohio - received 5/18/2006

I have to admit, I'm not that familiar with Mr. Iris's songs beyond "Ah Leah", "Do You Compute", and "Injured In The Game of Love", but those 3 songs alone are enough to convince me that this dude has GOT to be one of the most underrated rock-n-rollers of all time. I must have been about 10 the first time I heard "Ah Leah!", and I just remember thinking Holy S**T! , what a song! I don't think ANY song I've ever heard since turns my crank quite the way that one does. Its got passion, angst, desperation, and of course cool lyrics, killer power chords and Donnie's voice. My God! Those screams at the end of the song? I would give my left n*t to be able to sing like that! And I, like so many others who have wrote in, love the song so much, I named my daughter after it. I changed the spelling, but the pronunciation is the same. If I'm lucky enough to have Donnie pass thru the Twin Cities anytime soon, I'm DEFINITELY going. I only wish Apple Computer would get there stuff together and have more Donnie Iris available on I-Tunes. I'm also going to go out and check out all the other cool stuff by The Man that I've been missing! Rock On, Donnie! --Eric M. Hutchinson, MN.
Eric M. Hutchinson - Minnesota - received 5/10/2006

I have seen Donnie Iris and The Cruisers more times than I can count, from Akron to Cleveland to Canton to Youngstown to Erie to Columbus. Everywhere but Pittsburgh! What self respecting Browns fan would go to Pittsburgh, even if it's to see Donnie??? We are finally relenting and spending the evening at his show in June in Pittspuke, so my advanced age must be softening me.

Anyway, my favorite Donnie story had me at one show at the rib cookoff in Cleveland. My oldest son was 4 at the time and rocked out just as hard as we were. I had him on my shoulders for "Love Is Like A Rock" and we were both pumping our fists to the chorus.

I was selling advertising at the time and called on two separate accounts the next week after the show. Both said I looked familiar and recognized me from the show. They both said I was the guy with the kid on his shoulders, rocking out to "Love Is Like A Rock". My son enjoyed the celebrity status when I told him that he was recognized!

Thanks, Cruisers, for all the great times!
Chuck Rusinek - Cleveland, Ohio - received 5/4/2006

I went to Blackhawk High School with Donnie Iris’ daughters and man are they hot.
Anonymous - Beaver Falls, PA - received 4/13/2006

I was raised in Beaver County have been a an Iris fan since hanging out at Balomemes Club Natural Beaver Falls 1964. Long term fan older then anyone on this site. Looking for home for 33 yr. son in Beaver County, contact me Donnie at this web site...
"Red" - New Castle, PA - received 4/13/2006

My sister introduced me to the Jaggerz along time ago and it was the best and exciting experience of my life. Nothing can take that experience away from me.

Now after seeing Donnie with his grandsons I so appreciate the fact I have grandsons, and only grandsons, and they are my treasurers to tell my stories too and I bet they will listen ....LOL LOL.

I met the Jaggerz before I went to Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. It is an experience and joy I will never forget. The life and fullment in just a month before I went to a place I knew nothing about or so far away from home. I had a choice to make and it might not have been the right choice but I made it. And I won't forget what I could have chosen.

Life is full of music no matter where you are, it is in your heart and you carry it with you. So thanks for the music dear friends from Pittsburgh, my home sweet home always. God Bless
Monica A. Wasiliski Turner, Originally from McKeesport, PA - received 4/7/2006

My memories of Donnie go 'way back to 1970, when I first heard "The Rapper." I loved the song, (as did everyone else; the DJs'played the grooves off it!). Of course I did not know who Donnie was, but only knew the Jaggerz had done it, & later on seen the album ("We all Went to Different School Together..." ?) at the local stores. Fast-forward ahead about ten years & now I'm living in Atlanta & I read in the paper a group from my old hometown of Pittsburgh is playing in town, called Donnie Iris & the Cruisers." In a fit of homesickness I decide to attend the concert (can't remember the name of the place, except it was in a shopping center at the intersection of N. Decatur Rd. & Clairmont Ave....). It was a small venue, so I had a great place to watch; the drummer was wearing a Batman t-shirt & I think Donnie (maybe it was me) was wearing a Pirate baseball cap at one point. The main thing I remember was the killer concert Donnie & the guys gave that night! They blew the roof off the joint!

Afterwards I went down to the sacred store, where I heard their music hours before, & bought every Donnie Iris & the Cruisers allbum (pre-CD era) there they had....I lost my album collection a couple of years back in an apartment building fire, but am graduallly building my (now) CD collection back up, starting with Donnie's "Greatest Hits" CD.My favorite all-time song (not on the Greatest Hits CD) among many, is "Broken Promises." Just has a killer beat, nice riffs & cool harmonies to it. Flash-forward another twenty years & I've just moved back to Western PA, & just discovered this great website, & hoping to attend Donnie's St.Patrick's Day concert in a few weeks.

I've never had the good fortune to meet Donnie, but I think what impresses me the most about him (as a person) is that he is a real Pittsburgh guy! Rock on forever, Donnie!!!!!!!!!!! Thanks for the memories!!!!
Bill Eggert - received 2/24/2006

I've been a Donnie Iris fan before I knew who he was. As a pre-teen, loved "The Rapper" by the Jaggerz. Then early 80's...."Ah Leah!" came out and I went nutz for that song, remember seeing the video on MTV.

In short, Donnie Iris, you "Effen" ROCK! Don't forget your fans here in Los Angeles too!
Bunnie Antonelli, Los Angeles - received 2/21/2006

I became a fan of Donnie's in the autumn of 1980 after I heard "Ah! Leah!" on Philadelphia's 93.3 WMMR. We used to cut school and ride down the shore to Wildwood, NJ and hang with our friends there or to Salem, NJ and hang out at Fort Mott State Park with our friends we met in Wildwood. (I graduated in June '81 and noted in my yearbook my favorite song, "Ah! Leah!") I still have my 2 original "Back on the Streeets" albums and 45 single of "Ah! Leah!" that I bought at Penney's and EJ Korvette's. When MTV came on 8-1-81, I remember some early live videos of the band and then came the "King Cool" album which we used to play at parties. "Love is Like a Rock" was always a crowd pleaser, as was "Sweet Merilee" because of the videos. My favorite song of all time is "Parallel Time" because it really makes me want to dance! I also remember WMMR DJ John DiBella having the "Screamer of the Week" contest where new songs would be voted on and I called in "Tough World", which got some votes and airplay in Philly. "The High and the Mighty" is always on my turntable, which I still use. All these years have passed and I finally got to see the band in concert on the Gateway Clipper Fleet 'Majestic' a few months ago. I bought the tickets in May and couldn't wait to come to Pittsburgh in October. For me, the "Donnie 25th" t-shirt I purchased at the show is fitting in that I've been a fan for all those 25 years. I was there from the start and for that I am proud (and glad all over). I hope they put on another show, because I will come again. Keep Rockin'!
Kaz from Gloucester City, NJ - received 12/28/2005

I am a big fan of Donnie Iris (thanks to my parents.) Yes, I am young. Being only 24 means I was born in the heart of the 80's. My parents were always big into music and went to every concert that ever came to town. Just before I was born a big hit on the radio was the song Ah Leah. They loved that song so much that they squished the words together and made my name...Alieha. My middle name is also a song from that era but it would be a shame to mention another band on this web site.
Alieha Burbank - received 12/14/2005

The first time I met Donnie was at the Pit-n-Pub in New Brighton. He would have dinner there every Friday. I was 14 and really didn't know who he was but my sister was a big fan. My step-father is friends with him and "the beautiful people of beaver co.", they are Rick Michaels, Bruce Reed, The Cash Dollars, CJ Betters and so much more. Growing up around this was very interesting to say the least!! I am getting married in Oct. of 06 and Donnie and family will be there as were they were at my sisters wedding in Vegas last year.
Chris Woods - received 11/18/2005

I first got into Donnie's music when i was listening to DVE and Ah! Leah! came on and it compleatly blew my mind. Whne i was looking on ticketmaster that same month i saw that Donnie's 25th anniversary show was a few weeks away. With me only knowing that one song by him i went to the show, and was hooked from then on. My best experience yet was my 3rd Donnie show (Butler County Fair show) when i finally got to meet him. I though it was a dream, it was like i was standing right in front of my hero. I got to shake his hand, get his autograph, and i got to tell him how his music inspired me, and how he was an idol to me. It was a moment in my life i wil never forget as long as i live.
Andrew "freebyrd" Marinacci - received 11/8/2005

I have been to a few of Donnie's shows now, even though I really only got into his music last year (I really had no idea what I was missing). The other night, I finally got to meet Pittsburgh's favorite son. I was working at a bar in Station Square, where he had just finished the Halloween Cruise show on the Gateway Clipper. There were a group of people standing out by the street and one of them was a little guy with long curly black hair and glasses. I thought to myself, "No way was that him!" So after he walked away I went up and asked the people he was talking to if it really was him or if I had finally gone insane. Sure enough, it was not only him, but also his guitar player Marty Lee. I talked to a couple who had come all the way from Kentucky to see the show and also get autographs. Marty Lee came into the bar and I talked to him for a short time. Then, about fifteen minutes later, Mr. Iris came up to the door and I talked to him and shook his hand and got a picture with him (which I have attached to this email). In case anyone was wondering, he said the new CD, Ellwood City, would probably be coming out in the summer.
Kevin Gallagher, Pittsburgh native - received 11/1/2005

I was a senior at Beaver Sr. High School in 1985 and was working on a project for this class called Mass Media. My cousin Rex worked at a recording studio in New Brighton called Jerry’s or Jerreez Studio so my friend Beth and I went there to see how they produce record albums. We were there with a tape recorder to assist in taking notes as my cousin explained how all the recording equipment works. During the interview some people were in the hall talking and my cousin said that it was Donnie Iris who was there to work on an album. I asked my cousin if he could get Donnie to come in and talk to us which would guarantee us an A on our project. Rex called out Donnie’s name and he came in and sat down so we could interview him. Donnie talked to us for about 15 min. and was really cool. We ended up getting an A on the project. I was really impressed with him and will never forget him taking time out of his schedule to talk with us. I now live in Jacksonville, NC and was listening to WSFL 106.5 the other day and they played Leah and it was like having a flash back to 1985. It’s been 20 years since that interview and it seemed like yesterday. Many thanks to Donnie Iris and long live Classic Rock.
Scott Grosskopf - received 9/29/2005

I remember the first time I saw Donny Iris, I am 48 now so I was pretty young and the Jaggerz were making an appearance and doing a small concert on the roof or something like that at Kaufmann's downtown Pittsburgh. I went there with a couple of my friends, we took the bus from our homes on the North Side and went crazy when the Jaggerz appeared and sang our favorite song "The Rapper". They sang a few songs and the performance was over but we got to go back and get their autographs. Unfortunately I do not have my paper with the autographs on it but I do have the memory, we were star struck. I didn't realize until a few years back that Donny Iris was the singer in the Jaggerz and I recently had the pleasure of attending the PLEASE concert at Mellon Arena with my 25 year old daughter and just enjoyed Donny's songs and sang along and had a great time. The crowd went crazy and it brought back memories of being at Kaufmann's and watching this new group The Jaggerz singing their songs for us. I will keep an eye out for future performances by Donny Iris and the Cruisers and I will be sure to be in the audience.
Linda Patsilevas - received 9/26/2005

Donnie is the reason my dad named me Aleah. He still thinks Ah! Leah! is one of the best rock and roll songs of all time.
Aleah Doke - received 9/16/2005

LAST NIGHT ROCKED! After we snuck our way into a 21 and over show (I'm only 19) at the Red Star Tavern to see Donnie Iris we we're sitting eating and who walks by but DONNIE FRICKEN IRIS. So I yell out "Hey Donnie" and he waves and smiles. He then does a double take because I was smoking a cigar and he comes over. Luckily I bought him a cigar too so I was in. Donnie from then on referred to me as his Offical Cigar Boy. I talked to him a few times later on in the night and he dedicated a song to me too when he was playing. We were front row and it was awesome. I also talked to Rob James from the Clarks. I am so stoked for Friday September 23rd at the Civic Areana will be insane. Donnie, The Clarks, The Povertyneck Hillbillies, Joe Greshecki, B.E. Taylor, and Bea Margot among others will be putting on a benefit concert for the hurricane victims. BE THERE!!!
Sean Jackson - received 9/9/2005

The first Donnie Iris single I bought was "My Girl" ("Ah! Leah!" had already left the rack of my record store by then :-( ).

I had just finished my first computer programming class (my junior year of high school '82-'83) when Fortune 410 and "Do You Compute?" came out. I got the single, and a few years later reserved slot #410 of my album collection just for Fortune 410. (Finally found the cassette a couple of years after that. :-) )

My all-time favorite Donnie Iris songs, though are "The Rapper" (only recently did I find out it Donnie wrote and played on it with The Jaggerz) and the utlimate anthem for perpetually single guys like me: "Injured In The Game Of Love". I played that one every shift the semester I DJ'd at the U. of Dayton (spring '85).

HME Records didn't last long (one of CBS's myriad Associated labels), but they did have two major hits with Gino Vannelli's "Black Cars" and Donnie's IIGOL. Glad to see both of these HME albums are now available on CD. Gotta get me a copy of No Muss... No Fuss soon! :-)
Chris (native of Dayton, OH) - received 8/24/2005

My name is Steve, I became a Donnie Iris Fan when I was just 5 years old. I am thirteen now. And I still love his music. My first Donnie Iris record was “ Live At Nicks Fat City” and I got it from my Aunt when I turned 6. My favorite Donnie iris song is “ Back On The Streets”. I like it because it is one of his older songs and I like the drums and organ sounds of that song. The first time I met Donnie was at Nautica. My father works for him, he sets up and sells merchandise. My favorite experience was at the B&B backstage in 2004 when I was on stage for the whole show. I have never done that because usually I stand behind the sound board for the whole show. Every time I go to a show I have a great time and its fun just listening to him play is great “ Rock and Roll”.
Steve Ilovsky - Poland, Ohio - received 8/14/2005

This is a true story about me and how get to know Donnie Iris the man. I am European born 52 years old now live in the Greek island of Kos but from late 70s to June of 1999 I move from NJ to Pittsburgh because I met a young and very beautiful girl my Angela native of Pit and I follow her to Pit. I grow up listening to rock and roll but I never had heard Donnie, but my little Angela she was in love with him even do she never have the chance to see him live performing and you bet she knew all his songs 24 years old then. With out her knowing I buy two tickets for the show at Nick's Fat City that April of 1998 and sure enough we get first row by the stage!! She was ecstatic we ware so happy the show fantastic I was so happy and I think that I see Donnie few times wile performing look at me with a smile in his face like he was say to me lucky you!! He and his band they ware great I became a fan of his and now that I live far I learn about his news from his site. For the record I am not with Angela anymore not because we stop loving each other I still love her more then ever but because few months later I suffer a stroke and I choose to live here I felt she deserve a better life then live with a cripple. I will never forget that night at Nick's until I die. Donnie you make us so happy!! I still have your t-shirt that I buy that night!!!
Peter Kitsakis - Greek Island of Kos - received 7/24/2005

I could really share a lot of stories about Donnie. In 1981, my Aunt became engaged to the then Program Director at WMMS in Cleveland. In August of 1981 I was at Blossom when Donnie opened for the Michael Stanley Band. I got to go back stage and meet Donnie, he was very cool as was getting to meet him. This was a time when Ah Leah was in heavy rotation at ‘MMS and I was 14 years old and became the King of the roller rink the next weekend.

Donnie came to Cleveland a lot back then and in my several trips to the station over the next several years found me running into him quite a bit.

In 1982, he was back at Blossom with MSB and his Turquoise Strat in hand. Basically a repeat of above.

In 1983, I get 6 free tickets from my Uncle, but had no way to the show. After a day of panic (remember there were very few answering machines in those days and no cell phones or e-mails) I finally find a ride out to Blossom. It is only about 20 minutes from the house I grew up in, but too far to walk. When we get there, the girl who was “the cleaning lady” for my aunt and uncle was there with a group of her friends. By the end of the night I had a new girl friend that I dated off and on for the next several years, in fact we discussed marriage, but it never came to pass.

I guess you could say, our “Love was like a Rock” but in the end “I was injured in the game of love”.

The last time I saw Donnie was either late 1989 or 1990 when he came here to Akron, at a small club called Jackie Lee’s. I was working as a McManager a the local burger joint and was not sure if I could make it to the show. The venue was about 3 miles from McWork and on my way home. I did get out on time, but did not bring a change of clothes but as I got closer to Jackie Lee’s I could not drive past. I braved it and went in with my McUniform, clip on tie and all (which I quickly realized and hid in my pocket).

Anyhow, I was never disappointed by Donnie’s shows. I hope to make it out to see him here again soon. I don’t live in the past much, but it is a nice place to visit.

Thanks Donnie—Keep Rockin’
John Nicholas - Akron, Ohio - received 7/22/2005

I just saw Donnie Iris at the ribfest in Pittsburgh a couple weeks ago. He kicked ass so damn bad. Donnie rules! OWWWWWWWWW!!!
Krabbs42oh - received 6/25/2005

I can't remember what year it was exactly... I want to say that it was around 82 or 83 but I may be off by a year or two. I was a whopping 16 or 17 years old and I was living in Beaver county - as I still do now. I was just a kid. I remember being so bass-akwards - especially with the girls. I liked partying - too much perhaps but I'm glad that's all out of my system. If only I knew then what I know now... Hindsight is always 20/20...

Anyhow, it was hot out - so I'm guessing it was sometime in the summer - or maybe it was a warm September night, wind blowing through the trees?

Agnes? Naw - her name was Marla. She was hot...There was no dude named Louie - there was Lennie, a friend of mine. If it wasn't for him - I would have gotten a little - um, lucky? Anyhow, I can remember hearing "Ah Leah" on DVE and WRRK while listening to Jimmy and Steve in the mornings.

Even though I was geeky and nerdy and lacked any self confidence I can look back now and see that I was trying to be "cool" as best I could - maybe I was?

My first concert ever was at the CCBC dome and Donnie Iris was playing. The place was packed and somehow I made it all the way up to the front few rows of screaming fans. I think the dome at that time had some kind of special rubber floor so you weren't allowed to smoke - but um, well - maybe I did a little smoking right there... I can see Donnie now - jumping around, sweating and wailing out those tunes - just like I heard on the radio. I remember making eye contact with the King of Cool himself several times while I sang along with him. Oh what a night - what a show!

More recently, I saw Donnie again in Rochester Pa about 6 years ago and also at the Geneva College stadium about the same time. His show in Rochester was right under the Rochester Bridge - was it Memorial day or something? That show was outdoors and it was pouring rain but it did nothing to stop any of the fans from going crazy nor did it do anything to keep Donnie from belting out the tunes! Some guy was lucky enough to get up on stage with Donnie and propose to his girlfriend... I'd say that show in Rochester was almost as exciting as the 1st time I saw him at the dome.

You know I still love hearing his music - I'll never get tired of it. Donnie Iris' music will always be part of who I was growing up. Hearing his tunes makes me 16 again... Long live King Cool!!
Joe Indovina - received 6/24/2005

I grew up near State College, PA in a little river town called Jersey Shore. One of my first experiences with girls came in 1981 when I attended a Donnie Iris concert at Lock Haven University. Her name was Kathy and she was a cheerleader at my junior high. I'll never forget that kiss that came after the concert while waiting for our parents to pick us up. Priceless. Thanks for the great memories and killer tunes, Mr. Iris...
Scott Luth - Harrisburg PA - received 6/15/2005

I like to joke and call myself "Pittsburghs #1 Donnie Iris fan", but I know I have some SERIOUS competition out there! I've loved Donnie since i was about 12 or 13, the first time I heard "ah leah!" it blew me away! I knew I heard it before but wasn't sure where, I called the radio station and asked them who did this awesome song, they told me Donnie Iris. Since then I've tried to get my hands on everything I could find Donnie. Well, at that time I was living in Virginia, (I moved down there from Beaver, Pa. when i was 11, which is probably why I knew I heard his music before) I'm 30 now and I just recently (a year ago) moved back up to the Pittsburgh area. I saw whisperings of Donnie Iris in newspapers and such, and did you know ALL THIS TIME, I had NO CLUE, he was from/in the Pittsburgh area??? I was elated ! Even more so when I found out he was playing the gateway clipper ! I secured tickets to the march show as SOON as I heard about it, and let me tell you... it was SPECTACULAR!!! I was totally brought back, to my early teen years. He really ROCKS too !! I was amazed at the fact that he sounded the same, I was expecting there to be a difference but there really wasn't! I enjoyed myself SO much & managed to get an autographed t-shirt. So... like alot of the other people who were there that I talked to, I will be following him and going to ALL his shows in the future. P.s. The new Elwood City song, is AWESOME... i was in tears with the emotion in that song and can't wait till its recorded so I can hear it again!

Signed - ah heck... i'll claim it...

"Pittsburghs #1 Donnie Iris Fan" !! - received 4/24/2005

I became a Donnie Iris fan in 1983 while I was visiting a girlfriend while she was babysitting. Needless to say after the kids were tucked in to sleep we became friendly. I had always liked Donnie Iris's music and listened to it quite frequently. That night while babysitting we played the album King Cool with That's The Way Love Ought To Be, and I turned into a true fan. I never met Donnie Iris face to face, but my older brother let me talk to him by phone during a concert at Mountaineer Park in Newell, WVA. What a truly cool dude! I did get to listen to the concert via my brother Marty Covert's cell phone and could not have been happier. I currently have all Donnie's albums and just received an autograph copy along with a tee shirt of his latest album that my brother's Marty and Matt had autographed for me.

Rock On!!!

Darin Covert TSgt USAF - received 10/5/2004
Stationed at Scott AFB,Illinois
Hometown East Liverpool,Oh
A stones throw from Beaver Falls

I'm 16 years old and I saw my first Donnie Iris concert August 7, 2004 and he kicked ass. I have seen Van Halen, AC/DC, Def Leppard, KISS, Styx, Night Ranger, Huey Lewis, Ted Nugent, Kansas, Blue Oyster Cult, Sammy Hagar, and many more, but Donnie topped most of them. His concert was very intamite, because not only were we 6 rows back but he made you feel like you were the only one there. The first thing I said after the concert is "the weird thing is...he looks like such a nerd and acts like such a nerd that he actually is cool!" I personally didn't believe that someone could wail like he did until I saw it live and in person. The 2 best things about his show was that he took Ah! Leah and did what he wanted to do with it first and than gave the audience what they wanted nad when they did Love is like a rock. They all came out with guitars and jammed. Donnie drug that song out for what seemed like a half an hour. Anyway I'm here to tell you, if that man can put on a low budget show that a 16 year old in this day in age can enjoy... then he has my vote for the hall of fame!
- received 8/27/2004

Even at the age of 61, King Cool can still leave an impression! I’m a college-bound teenager who just witnessed Pittsburgh's finest vocalist and musician. First time concert attendees can be thrilled by any live performance, but this just floored me (rather standing and dancing). For the first time in my life I was star-struck. All night four different drummers were introduced to sit-in on a few songs. I knew that the party had really started when all four set up their own individual drum sets for that legendary “Love is Like a Rock”. And as a guitar player, I can’t post this message without mentioning Marty Lee and his outstanding lead guitar playing. These characters who I watched on a documentary, who seemed so down to earth, became untouchable last night.

As a fan, I know that Donnie Iris and the Cruisers have had a helping hand from technology. “Ah! Leah!”, which hit Number 29 on the National Charts, has over 60 layers of background vocals; something impossible to create on stage with just five band members. But last night on August 20, 2004, there was no distinct difference between what I heard and the album. However, reproducing what this close-knit group had recorded in the studio wasn’t the number one contribution. If only one achievement made last night special it was Donnie’s fans. Despite the numerous downpours and local tornado warnings, the amphitheater was packed. And when Donnie had his sentimental moments, stepping away from the Rock & Roll and singing with the grand piano, everyone cheered with enthusiasm for we all new those songs meant the world to Donnie. Oh yea, did I mention the crowd singing his songs? Well it sure brought on a smile for the little man wearing the traditional yellow sport coat and “Buddy Holly” glasses. And thanks to his wonderful and appreciative hometown, August 20, 2004, will officially be known as Donnie Iris day. I’m going to celebrate every year. Happy 25th to Donnie and the Cruisers.
(Robert) - received 8/22/2004

We saw Donnie and the Cruisers LIVE last night, Friday, August 20, 2004, at his 25th Anniversary Concert in Pittsburgh. That's 25 years just with the Cruisers, not counting all the other bands he's played with. The newspaper says Dominic Ierace (Donnie's real name) is 61, but I can tell you, on stage he looked half his age. He didn't miss any of the high notes, and he danced around like it was his first performance. He's also the nicest, most gracious person you'll ever find in Rock n' Roll. You feel you know him. You don't just enjoy Donnie, you love him.

I'm 55 and my wife is 48. Attending the event was our 18-year-old son's idea and he even paid for the tickets. Our married 25-year-old daughter (mother of two) also went along, making it a rare family of four reunion. It's now Saturday morning, and we're reliving the night, talking about how the songs sounded just like the CD, about that great lead guitar player, and recalling how we were taking bets on which song Donnie and the band would do first. We were all wrong. The first two songs were from the new CD... the first familiar song was my personal favorite, "That's the Way Love Ought To Be." The last song was the one we thought would be first, "Ah, Leah." It was presented in a clever way -- just Donnie and a guitar playing softly as though it were a ballad -- slowly building to that well-known hard rock tune that shook the building. The encore was "The Rapper" from his days with The Jaggerz.

One of the greatest joys of my life is how my son has adopted the music of my generation as his own. He's going to college in a week, and less than a year ago, he expressed an interest in playing guitar. For Christmas, we got him an electric guitar and a few weeks later, I got myself another one. It has been years since I played, but soon we were playing together.

In my youth, I remember older people saying how the music of my generation would never be remembered... that it would fade away and that the and rock n' roll artists we followed would be forgotten. What Donnie and the Cruisers did for us last night disproves that theory.
(Dave) - received 8/21/2004

I attended Slippery Rock State College from 1961 to 1965. During that time there was a guy from The Valley (as we called the area around the Beaver River) whose name I recall being Donnie Iris who also attended the Rock. For years I've seen the name of the singer/composer/musician and had wondered if he was, indeed, THE Donnie Iris. Finally, I ran a search on Google and found this site. Lo and behold, it is the same Donnie. I recall several sessions in the lounge at Patterson Hall (the men's dorm at SR) when Donnie (on guitar) and a guy named Charley McKay (on drums) and a few others whose names I've forgotten, playing a variety of rock songs from that era. By far, my favorite was Ray Charles, "What I Say" with Donnie doing the intro on guitar. This may qualify me as the first Donnie Iris fan if not the longest lasting.
(Jack) - received 8/5/2004

A funny thing happened on the way back from picking up a dear friend, who is a good deal younger, from Bradley International Airport in Connecticut after she had returned from securing an apartment in Cleveland. We are both avid karaoke singers, and she has one of the best voices I've ever heard in all my 42 years. But she has said on occasion that there was a song she had heard that she thought would be a natural for me; she just couldn't remember any useful details. This time, however, she uttered a familiar girl's name: Leah, although the artist still escaped her. Since it seemed just too easy, I first offered, "Roy Orbison" (I had heard his tune with that name in it the day before...) Then I just gave in: "Donnie Iris?"
It reminded me of how "Ah!Leah!" blasted across the Boston airwaves - specifically, WCOZ, 94.5 on the dial (also responsible for breaking other gems like "Don't You Know What Love Is?" and "The Zoo" by Touch and the Scorpions, respectively) when I was at Massachusetts College of Art in 1980 - a song quite like nothing else I'd ever heard, and I had heard a lot. A-1 hook, a guitar texture to die for, full-bodied drum beats and impassioned screams that rivaled the Bee Gees best, such as "Nights On Broadway", which I've sung about 3 times to date. And then "Sweet Merrilee", "Love Is Like A Rock" and "Do You Compute" followed in short order, arguably four of the best singles ever released in rock history, and Donnie is criminally overlooked as a songwriter, in my opinion, outside of the Midwest. The man had a significant influence upon the alternative scene, especially another incredibly gifted songwriter, Dan Reed, but he has been forgotten or never even heard by so many listeners of today.
I would like to put it to Donnie: is there any chance at all that the 4 songs might be licensed for release on karaoke CDs if they haven't been already? (BTW, "My Girl" just never had the same impact on me as the others, in case you were wondering...) It would truly be an honor to sing any or all of them, although I know from being familiar with Nik Kershaw's travails that Universal are being very difficult about releasing a lot of the new-wave era stuff, particularly the videos - how many did Donnie end up making to support his work, out of curiosity? Anyhow, I just wanted to give credit where credit is due and I hope that I will have the opportunity to see him live one day (the live version of "The Rapper" backing "Ah!Leah!" was, of course, recorded while I was in Boston, but I didn't go to many club shows back then - made up for it in the Nineties, though!) and also sample some of his newer material when I'm back on my feet financially...
(Jim Cayon, Northampton MA) - received 6/14/2004

Being born and raised in Patterson Township near Beaver Falls, PA, I met Donnie at the local ice cream/dairy store called Waite's. We mostly talked about cars (as I recall he had a green Buick Riviera and collected old cars) because I really didn't know he was in the Jaggerz. I heard them many times on the radio, knew they were from Pittsburgh and saw them advertised at local clubs. I was still too young to get into clubs. Loved AM radio! Fast forward to 1980. I am living in Denver and decide its time to get yet another new rock n roll album from somebody new. Whose picture is plastered all over the front window of the record store? Who else but Donnie in the bright yellow suit from "Back On The Streets". Not only do I instantly recognize him, I am pretty sure I know what street the picture is taken on. In I go, gotta have it, started a conversation with the owner, explained who I was (nobody really) and that I knew Donnie. I went home with the album and scored a poster of the man in the yellow suit to boot. Times change, music changes, my love of Donnie's music has never changed. All the records are gone now, only CD's. How about "Fortune 510" release on a CD? I listen to "Back On The Streets" all the time. I have a very good friend who if from Pittsburgh. He keeps me informed of the music scene there.

PS I also grew up with the Granati Brothers at the Patterson Township Fire Department, which was next door to Waite's Ice Cream. B.E. Taylor played at my prom (1973). Ahh the memories!
(David McBride) - received 9/11/2002

At the beginning of my junior year (Sept.'82), Donnie Iris and the Cruisers were performing a concert at the Morrow Field House on the Slippery Rock University campus. I was a snare drummer in our college marching band. I'm not sure how this came about, but he recruited 10 drummers from the Slippery Rock Marching Rockets (our marching band) to play with him on stage during the song, "Love Is Like A Rock" (which everyone in our marching band changed to "Love Is AT The Rock"). I guess he had heard that our marching band would perform it 'a cappella' (with only the drum section playing an awesome riff) in the bleachers as a cheer during football timeouts. Well, he could only put a few drummers on that stage, and as much as I wanted to be one of them, I opted out. Mainly so I could sit right in front of the stage with my new girlfriend (who, even to this day, despite being broken up, is still my 'first', great love of my life). I remember going back stage before the concert and meeting the group and having Kevin Valentine sign my drumsticks. When the performance of "Love Is 'AT' The Rock" began, I thought the Field House windows would shatter from all the drumming and from the whole audience singing the chorus. My girlfriend and I were hooked on Donnie Iris and went and bought 2 albums each of "King Cool" and "The High and The Mighty". We'd listen to them at our separate residences during school breaks as a "testament" of our great love. Our personal favorite, and what we thought of as our love song was "That's The Way Love Ought To Be". When we heard it that night at the Field House, it was all we could do to not make spectacles of ourselves by intensely making out in front of the stage. Even now when I play my cassette of "King Cool", and I hear that song, I can imagine her kisses and how sweet she smelled. We also went to see Donnie Iris at Grove City College and at the Agora in Youngstown, Ohio, taking along our good friend (and one of my fellow drummers in the SRU Marching Rockets, Michelle Stenger---who I'd love to get in touch with). Being a huge Pittsburgh Steelers fan, it was such a thrill to see him on TV in January 2002, singing the National Anthem for the AFC Championship game at the new Heinz Field...it just brought all those great memories back!!!!! Thanks for having this site, as I was searching for SRU's bookstore hours and just happened to see this during my search. I've now decided to order my favorite "albums & cassettes" on CD. Twenty years ago...how time flies...and how sweet the memories, thanks to the discovery of the timeless music of Donnie Iris and The Cruisers.
(Angela, SRU Class of 1984) - received 8/17/2002

Ah...Leah...What a great song! First time hearing this song.....Fall of 84....Arcadia High School, CA...... Not many Iris fans...except for a few...Mostly a Van Halen town! (Ok...considering that we would usually see Michael Anthony in the local Mall with his brother, who was also attending our high school...and in one of my English classes!) Anyway..... I was just checking out the info on Iris recently...just brought back many memories of parties and great times....FYI
(Andrew P. Benson, California) - received 8/3/2002

Hi, I tend to ramble so I'll apologize now...

I became a Donnie fan back in early 1981. I was a fan of Mark Avsec's previous band, Breathless, and "Ah! Leah" caught my attention because it sounded a lot like some stuff from the second Breathless album. The reasons are obvious, since Mark and Kevin Valentine were both in Breathless and Mark seemed to have a greater influence on that album.

It was actually when I'd heard "Agnes" on the radio that I HAD to get "Back On The Streets." Wow, what a great sound. I got it on the original Midwest label. Imagine my surprise when I recently got it on CD and found sides 1 and 2 flip-flopped. I'm guessing MCA did that when they picked up the album so "Ah! Leah" would be the first song on the album. I know it's not really a concept album, but "Agnes" and "Back On The Streets" are such obvious bookends that it just seems weird that the album got re-sequenced.

I saw Donnie several times back in "the day." My first Donnie show was around May of 1981 at the Front Row, when all the material they had was the "Back On The Streets" album and "The Rapper." Oh yeah, can't forget "Donnie's Groove." Then came "King Cool" (talk about blasting the "sophomore jinx" out of the water!) and opening for MSB at Blossom and, later that year, a show at the Akron Agora.

One year when I was at Kent State they did a show in the gym during finals week. Geez, amazing seats FOR FREE. And then one summer they did a show at Mall C in downtown Cleveland. I don't remember if it was the rib burnoff or what. Kevin and Albritton had left but the new guys were great. "Ridin' Thunder" really kicked butt live.

That was the one time I met Donnie and Mark. There was sort of a temporarily fenced-off area behind the stage and I was just walking by with my brother and saw them back there. It wasn't my intention at all to go looking for them, I was just innocently walking by, but when I saw them I flagged them down and, to my surprise, they came over and chatted a little and signed a note card for me (I didn't have anything good for them to autograph).

Mark was working on the first Cellarful of Noise album at the time, so I asked him about it and he didn't really seem to want to talk about it. I thought that was actually kind of cool, because it's pretty obvious the friendship and partnership they've developed.

Anyway, I'm not suprised by any of these stories about what a great guy Donnie is. Just from seeing him a handful of times and having that little brush with him make it obvious to me that he really appreciates his fans.

I've been living in the Chicago area for the last 16 years so I haven't had a chance to see him play in a very long time, but now it's summertime and I'm playing my Donnie Iris CDs and the "best of" tape I made myself. It's fun, it sounds great, and I think the quality of their songwriting is what really stands the test of time. I can't tell you how much I love this stuff, so much of it is from such a great time in my life.

Keep up the good work, maybe we'll cross paths again someday.
(Gregg French - Chicago) - received 6/29/2002

When I was younger, my brother bought Fortune 410. We used to listen to it all the time. Everyone was always asking, "Who is that?" We turned a lot of people on to Donnie during those days. Now that im older, I seem to appreciate how much Donnie's music really means to me. Songs like, "Somebody", still to this day sends chills down my spine. I grew up listening to Donnie, and I will grow old listening to Donnie! And Donnie, we have two things in common, I like girls and rock & roll too!!!!!!! HA HA HA HA We love ya man!!!
(Glenn Huber - Indiana) - received 6/29/2002

I've finally got a Donnie story to tell so I'm going to post it! I was at the Tangiers for the show this weekend, and had gotten their about an hour early to avoid the rush, I didn't realize how small a club it was. I was standing with my wife in the lobby and a noticed a very familiar face hanging out. I walked up to the guy and said "Hey your the lead guitarist" and he said "yes" It was Mary Lee Hoenes just hanging out. I told him that my wife and I had flown out from New Mexico just for the show and he couldn't believe it, he thought I was crazy. He told me there was a new set they were doing and it was some stuff they never played live or at least for years and years. He also said that Donnie's voice was bothering him and he might not be 100% (It wasn't the case, Donnie was great!!!) Marty told me to get his attention when they were on stage and he would introduce me to him. Marty Lee is a great guy and a real class act, if any of you ever get to talk to him do it! So during the concert Donnie started thanking people who had come a long way to see the show and he said "Theirs even a guy here that flew in from (and he looked at Marty) where? Marty told him "New Mexico". With everything going on that night Marty didn't forget about me! I ran up towards the stage and told Donnie I had even flown my pregnant wife with me, and Donnie gave me a thumbs up! After the show I ran up to the stage while Donnie was shaking hands and just barely caught him as he was walking off. I told him I was the guy from New Mexico and I just had to meet him! He told me to come on up and then to follow him through the back. When we got back into the hallway behind the stage he shook my hand signed my table card from the Tangiers and told me he was really glad I came to the show. I had an old promo photo in the car and I asked him if he would wait while I went a got it so I could get him to sign it. He said "you go right ahead and get it, I'll be here" and he waited until I got back with it and he talked with me and my wife for a little while. I never imagined that Donnie was such a nice guy, and I really think he's amazed that he has such dedicated fans. I went and found Marty Lee and thanked him for taking care of me like that and had him sign my photo also. It was a fantastic night, better than I could have imagined and I've got Marty and Donnie to thank for that. If anybody's like me and has to fly across the country to see these guys, its worth it!!! I spent over $2000.00 for this weekend and Donnie and Marty made it worth every cent! My only hope is that I'll get to do it again in a couple of years.
(Ashley Nye - New Mexico) - received 5/20/2002

I became a Donnie Iris fan in high school and have been a fan ever since. A good friend of mine, Laurie, just loved Donnie and got me hooked on his songs back in 1984. While I was a student at IUP, he played a concert there, and my boyfriend (now husband) and I loved the show! My husband, needless to say, is now a Donnie fan! I can't wait to see him again, hopefully, this summer! Don't change, Donnie, because you are "The Man!!"
(Patsy Brenner Kvortek) - received 2/28/2002

I've been a Donnie Iris fan since probably 1981, when I first saw his Sweet Merilee and Love is like a rock videos on MTV. I've never met him, but my wife and I are flying out to Akron in May to see him at the Tangier's and I'm so excited I can't stand it! It will be my first Donnie Iris concert. It's lonely being a Donnie Iris fan in New Mexico, and its hard to meet people who have even heard of him, so I'm really pumped about going to see him and being around other fans. I hope I get to meet him!
(Ashley Nye - New Mexico) - received 2/27/2002

I just sent an e-mail telling of my most memorable Donnie experience - little did I know on November 23rd that would all change...I went to the concert @ Shad Hanna's in New Castle, PA. I went straight to the front of the stage and of course it was incredible! But the difference was I finally brought my King Cool album with me. The one I bought the day after I first saw him in 1985 with Eddie Money. The guy doing the sound does the sound @ the bar where I bartended. He told me to give it a whirl. So after Donnie was done singing, I pushed aside the bouncers and yelled, "Mr. Iris...please...Mr. Iris." I got his attention and he looked at me and said, "An oldie but goodie, of course I'll sign it..." and I finally got my autograph...here's the best part. I was so excited and ran and told the sound guy, Jerry. He congratulated me and said, "Come with me..." All of a sudden there I was, with the entire band, talking, partying, like I was one of them! His daughter, her friends, everyone looking at me trying to figure out who I was but not quite sure. Well, Jerry left me down there to fend for myself. Before the nite was over I had Tommy's and Mark's autograph as well and Tommy, he saw I had a purple magic marker. Seems he loves purple as I do. He asked me if I noticed his drums. I said, "Of course, purple metallic", he then noticed my purple camera and nail polish. We talked for a while and he asked me if I was coming to the next concert @ Hot Rod on December 21st. Of course, that's right in my back yard. Then as he was getting ready to leave, I grabbed my camera to take a picture of him and Donnie. He gives my camera to someone, and Donnie grabbed an arm and he grabbed another and snap! What a nite. I still can't believe it. Guys, don't ever think you need to change your music or no one wants to here the old songs...just look at the audience every time you play...everyone there singing every word to every song with smiles on their faces, so happy to be where they are. I leave you with this testimonial, there were two guys standing behind me @ the concert, drove 4 1/2 hours from Buffalo, NY. They hadn't seen Donnie in 20 years, but heard he was going to be in Pennsylvania and decided to make the drive. They said it was worth every mile. Guys, don't ever quit, we all love you...can't wait to see you again on the 21st. I'm bringing my girlfriend with me who named her daughter "Leah" after your song. See you then!!!
(Holly Rodgers - Farrell, PA) - received 12/3/2001

I'll never forget my first Donnie Iris Concert. It was 1985 and I was a sophomore at Grove City College. Eddie money was giving a concert @ nearby SlipperyRock Univ. and Donnie was opening. I had no clue of how that concert would change my life. I'm from Farrell, 60 miles or so north of Pittsburgh, and had no idea of what Donnie means to that town. I went to the concert and it was incredible! No one wanted Donnie to end. Everyone with their fists in the air, screaming "Love is AT the Rock", instead of "Love is Like A Rock"! It was bone chilling. I became a Donnie fanatic immediately and snatched a King Kool album from the College Book Store the next day...years later and many many concerts later, in 1995, Donnie was playing a special concert at the Beaver Falls Holiday Inn for Ellwood City's Class of 1985 10th Reunion. I was living in Ellwood and was there with friends. His daughter and her friends were sitting on the dance floor in a row right in front of the stage. I just had to get up there with them! I walked right up there and this girl asked me if I knew Donnie's daughter, and I said, "Yes, we are good friends, she works at Good Spirits in Chippewa", (which she did at the time), "Oh great", the girl said, "Sit down with us". And I plopped myself right down and was no more than a foot from Donnie. It was incredible! "That's the way Love Ought To Be" is my favorite, and I'll never forget what it felt like swaying with those girls, all of us singing, arm in arm, every note. Donnie, you are the best, will always be the best, and I hope you're still screaming at 90!
(Holly Rodgers - Farrell, PA) - received 11/19/2001

I remember back in 1980, I was all of 12 years old. I used to hang out every weekend religiously at my best friend's house back home in Vermont. My friend's older brother, Pat, introduced me to Donnie Iris and I was hooked, that first song being "Pretender." Then, I heard "Love Is Like A Rock" and my love for the music only grew. Every weekend afterward, Donnie Iris music was a mainstay amongst the many albums we would listen too. Sadly, my friend and his family moved to Europe and so did the music of Donnie Iris. The sounds stayed with me but it wouldn't be until a few short weeks ago that my desire for the music would be re-kindled. I was driving to work in Boston from my home in New Hampshire, listening to Friday Night 80's, when a request came for "Ah! Leah." Over the next several weeks, that song would be requested weekly. It brought back to memory those weekends at my friends house. It was then that I searched the web and VOILA, I found this site. It's been a 21 year re-union and I won't let the music of Donnie Iris escape again. And since my friend and family are back in the states, I'll be sure he looks too.
(John Montgomery - Manchester, NH) - received 11/10/2001

Hi Donnie. I am a song smith in Napa Cal. Over the years I still think about your tune the "The Promise" and how much that song meant to me. Great hook, and it really was an inspiring piece! I'm now forty something and recall that piece from probably twenty years a ago. Muscians such as I make lousy business men. Back then I was sure of massive success. I have over four hundred songs that I never felt were ready, nor sent to any label. But I still don't know what to do with this material inside me still screams: "The promise is still waiting for you there" P.S. - I haven't had a copy of that in years!
(vastfaster@aol.com) - received 9/10/2001