Donnie Iris
Donnie Iris is an American rock musician best known for his 80s hits "Ah, L… Read Full Bio ↴Donnie Iris is an American rock musician best known for his 80s hits "Ah, Leah!" and "Love is Like a Rock", both inspired by contemporary new wave and power pop music. Born Dominic Ierace in middle class Pennsylvania, he got his first real start as a member of the pop group The Jaggerz (the one-hit-wonder responsible for 1970's #2 hit "The Rapper"). After the Jaggerz broke up, Iris toured with funk rock group Wild Cherry, whose 1976 smash "Play That Funky Music" had made them a hot property into the end of the decade.

It was during this period that he became acquainted with his future partner Mark Avsec, a musician then playing keyboards for Wild Cherry. Unfortunately, Wild Cherry ended up being regarded as another one-hit-wonder, and Iris was out of a job by 1980. But Iris and Avsec, and their new band, titled "The Cruisers", returned to the charts several times in the 80s. Iris particularly scored hits with the songs "Ah, Leah!" (a track from 'Back to the Streets' that reached #29 on the Billboard Hot 100), "Love is Like a Rock" (reaching #37 on that Billboard chart), and "My Girl" (reaching #25 on that Billboard chart). "Ah, Leah!" has became known as Iris' 'signature song' and has been included in many multi-artist compilation albums.

According to reporting by D. X. Ferris in the Cleveland Scene, "Ah, Leah!" was the topic of an (apparently frivolous) lawsuit claiming that certain lyrics were stolen from a demo provided by an amateur songwriter. Iris and producer Mark Avsec prevailed, but incurred significant legal fees.

Born in Ellwood City, Pennsylvania, Iris first began singing at weddings at age five, and, by age eight, he was performing on local television and entering talent contests. When his voice changed, he took up the drums but later got back into singing while in high school. A self-taught guitarist, he formed "Donnie & the Donnells" while in college.

Aside from his initial hits, with "Ah, Leah!" particularly getting big attention nationwide as an 80s classic, Iris and the Cruisers were unable to achieve major success outside of the Pennsylvania area. Yet they still have recorded and performed in the Ohio Valley for a great many years, being known for their classic rock n roll inspired live performances. Donnie Iris and the Cruisers released their most recent album, titled 'Ah! Leluiah!', on November 18, 2010. That release is the artist's first Christmas album.

His official website is at http://www.donnieiris.com/ but the most recent news there dates from 2010.
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Donnie Iris Lyrics


10th Street Me and Pooch we were from the west end of…
Agnes We were standing on the corner one night Me and Agnes She…
Ah Leah It's been a long, long time You're such a sight You're …
Ah! Leah Yeah, it's been a long, long time. Such a site, you're…
Ah! Leah! Leah It's been a long, long time You're such a sight You're …
ahleah Yeah, it's been a long, long time. Such a site, you're…
Back on the Streets I dig the sound of the old street cars Hooker's perfume…
Broken Promises You promised me your time you know Time is something we…
Color Me Blue Color me yellow, For being afraid Whoa yeah Goodbye blue ski…
Daddy Don't Live Here Anymore Baby used to stay out every night But not no more Now…
Do You Compute Do I have to say it? Don't you already know it? Do…
Do You Compute ? Do I have to say it? Don't you already know it? Do…
FOLLOW THAT CAR Hey boy they say you want too much You better wake You…



I Can't Hear You Now why you diggin' me Why you stickin' me You always get…
I Want You Back Oh Maybe I spend too much on my work And maybe I…
I'm A User I used to be a working man I rode the bus…
Injured In The Game of Love All right... yeah! Did you ever come up lame When you…
Joking Remember last night when we were through with it We watched…
King Cool He smoked a cigarette when he played his song He was…
Love Is Like a Rock Love is Like a Rock You can't depend on your teacher You…
Minnie The Moocher Folks here's a story 'bout Minnie the Moocher, She was a…
My Girl Hey I'm a lucky guy I got her by my side Sunday…
Pretender I know the type always acting cool Pretender Won't let love …
Ridin Thunder Feel the wind blow On my way to Bobby Joe's I got…
She's So European She was an army brat She surfed in Waikiki She told me…
She's So Wild She used to be so innocent She used to be so…
Shock Treatment Look in my eyes and tell me I'm not crazy Too…
Stagedoor Johnny He's always ready Waiting in the wings Dreaming of all the g…
Sweet Merilee She comes on like daylight softly creeping Sneaking through …
That's The Way Love Ought To Be You and me Baby, it's ecstasy I will be true to…
The Last to Know I never thought you could do the things that you…
The Promise When you work, you work Even till the morning light In the…
The Rapper Hey girl, I bet you There's someone out to get…
This Time It Must Be Love When I was a little boy Sat up on my Daddy's…
Too Young to Love I remember misery My heart ripped in two And love's pain I r…
Tough World Baby whatcha gonna do Go ahead and make your move First you…
You're My Serenity Everyday I hear the same old sounds In the same old…
You're Only Dreaming Watching you sleep You're wrestling with your memory again …


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