Donnie Iris, the Western Pennsylvania rock legend who attended Slippery Rock State College before launching a decades-long music career, died Monday, Oct. 26, at 83 after battling bladder cancer for three years.
Born Dominic Ierace on Feb. 28, 1943, in nearby New Castle, Pa., Iris maintained deep ties to Western Pennsylvania throughout his life.
While attending Slippery Rock in the 1960s, Iris continued developing his musical talents alongside fellow students Jim Evans and Dave Amodie. The trio formed a band called the Tri-Vels, which later became Donnie and the Donnells after bassist Dave Reiser joined. The group performed rhythm and blues and pop-rock covers at fraternity parties before Iris left college in 1964 to form the Jaggerz.
The Jaggerz brought Iris national recognition in 1970 with “The Rapper,” a song written by Iris that peaked at No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100. The success established him as a songwriter and performer on the national stage.
Iris later joined Wild Cherry shortly after “Play That Funky Music” topped the charts. During his time with the group, he met keyboardist Mark Avsec, with whom he would eventually form Donnie Iris and the Cruisers.
A decade after “The Rapper” climbed the charts, Iris returned to the national spotlight with “Ah! Leah!,” which reached No. 29 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1980. He followed that success with two more charting singles in 1981: “Love Is Like a Rock” and “My Girl.”
Known by his nickname, “King Cool,” Iris became a Pittsburgh music icon while remaining closely connected to the region.
On Oct. 2, 1982, Iris returned to Slippery Rock with the Cruisers for a performance at Morrow Field House, surprised by how much the campus and surrounding borough had changed since his college days.
“I can’t even believe it’s the same school,” Iris said in a 1982 interview with The Rocket. “When I first came in Route 108, on the street corner alone there were so many things that changed, the old movie theater was gone. Then when I got to the school, I couldn’t believe the expansion.”
The Cruisers returned to Morrow Field House two years later, opening for Eddie Money on Oct. 16, 1984.
“I used to go to this school, so I guess this is kind of a homecoming for me,” Iris said to a packed crowd while wearing a Slippery Rock baseball cap.
Iris returned to the borough again in December 2022 for a guest-bartending fundraiser at Ginger Hill Tavern benefiting Feed My Sheep Food Cupboard.
Despite his bladder cancer diagnosis in 2023, Iris continued performing into his 80s. His final concert took place Sept. 28, 2026, at Citizens Live at the Wylie in Pittsburgh’s Hill District. He announced his retirement shortly afterward.
Throughout his career, Iris expressed gratitude for the fans who supported him.
“Music has given me far more than I could ever put into words,” Iris said. “Thank you for your loyalty, your energy, and your love through all the years. It has been my great honor to make music for you.”
His music remains part of Slippery Rock University’s football tradition, with the SRU Marching Pride continuing to play “Love Is Like a Rock” at every football game, connecting his music with generations of Rock fans.
For Slippery Rock, Iris’ death marks the loss of a former student whose career stretched from campus performances to the national music scene. His music and enduring ties to the community ensure he will be remembered as a Rock legend in more ways than one.
