RIP … Donnie Iris who was famous for hit songs like “Ah! Leah!”, “The Rapper” and “Love is Like a Rock” has Died at 83

METAL SLUDGE / October 26^th 2026 – Today is a very sad day in the music world as we report the passing of Donnie Iris.

Iris was best known for his hits “Ah Leah”, “Love is Like a Rock” and “The Rapper”.

WPXI News in the local Pittsburgh area has reported the following: “Long-time concert promoter Rich Engler and several reports confirmed Iris died on Monday.

Iris was the beloved frontman of Donnie Iris and the Cruisers.

He was born in New Castle on Feb. 28, 1943.

Just a few weeks ago, Iris announced he was retiring from performing live, citing “recent health issues.”

His final show was held right here in Pittsburgh for the grand opening of Citizens Live at the Wylie on Sept. 28.”

Iris was a Pittsburgh native and local music royalty… in short, he was a hero to many but today we must say goodbye to Donnie Iris.

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Stevie Rachelle here adding a little note from me….

Growing up in the very small Midwest town of Oshkosh Wisconsin one of my earliest teenage memories of a rock star with a known hit song playing a local club in my hometown was Donnie Iris in the early 1980’s.

I was still in High School and I remember being down near the UWO campus outside of “Dr. J’s” night club where Iris was performing that night and it was a big deal… at least for me.

I was not old enough to get in, but I remember being in the parking lot and hearing the concert, and it truly moved me.

It somehow made me realize that the people that I saw on MTV or heard on WAPL (the local rock radio station), were in fact real.

This may sound odd to some, but at the age of 15… Donnie Iris made a big impact on me that I still carry with me to this day and I am now 60 years old.

Every time I’ve heard “Ah! Leah!” over the last 45 years, it takes me right back to that place… in that parking lot as a young kid.

Today I will shed a few tears for Donnie Iris.

Rest in Peace Donnie… and even though I’ve never had the chance to meet you… I have to say, your music moved me, and you will be missed!

Donnie Iris was 83.

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