Pittsburgh Music Legend Donnie Iris Dies

PHOTO COURTESY DONNY IRIS

Pittsburgh music legend Donnie Iris has died at age 83.

Earlier this month, “King Cool” announced his retirement from the stage and thanked generations of fans.

“Music has given me far more than I could ever put into words,” he said in a social media post on Oct. 9. “From the earliest days to every chapter of my life, your support has been a constant source of joy and inspiration.”

His final performance took place on Sept. 28 during the grand opening of Citizens Live at The Wylie in Pittsburgh’s Lower Hill District.

Born in Ellwood City as Dominic Ierace, Iris rose to fame with locally based rock band The Jaggerz. Their song “The Rapper” peaked at No. 2 on the Billboard charts.

In the 1980s, Donnie Iris & The Cruisers released popular tunes such as “Ah! Leah!” and “Love Is Like a Rock.”

Tributes to the icon are popping up on social media from Steel City institutions such as the Steelers, Pirates and Penguins, WDVE, Jergels and Primanti Bros (Iris’ image is included in a mural of local celebrities at the restaurant chain’s original Strip District location).

“Donnie Iris was more than a local legend — he was part of the soundtrack of our city,” Mayor Corey O’Connor said in a statement.

Local radio personality Bonny Diver — who, in addition to having the middle name “Iris,” shares a Feb. 28 birthday with the musician — grew up in Columbus listening to him on her local radio station, as well as on 45s and in rock clubs.

“To me, he was as important as Led Zeppelin and Journey,” she says.

Diver was introduced to her hero in 1993, when she came to Pittsburgh to work at 3WS Radio.

“When I met him, it was his huge smile that made me feel welcome to the ‘Burgh,” she says. “I knew cancer was attacking him the last couple years. He never let it steal his joy of performance and connection to everyone he encountered.”