Donnie Iris Biography
Dominic Ierace, Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania, USA. Iris is an accomplished songwriter and arguably one of the leading perfectionists in the American hard rock idiom - his first hit record, 1981's "Ah! Leah!" was completed only after 80 vocal overdubs. Iris was formerly the lead singer, songwriter and guitarist for Pittsburgh rock group the Jaggerz, and had also toured with the funk group Wild Cherry. He formed the Cruisers at the turn of the 80s with Mark Avsec (keyboards), Marty Lee (guitar), Albritton McClain (bass) and Kevin Valentine (drums). "Ah! Leah!" was included on the group's debut, Back On The Streets, in 1980. In 1982 he charted in the US Top 40 once more with "Love Is Like A Rock" and for a final time later that year with "My Girl'. Despite a reduced commercial profile in the rest of the decade, Iris" albums continued to inspire his devoted American audience with their consummate musicianship and sharply observed lyrics.
Source: The Encyclopedia of Popular Music by Colin Larkin. Licensed from Muze.
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