Donnie Iris

98
Donnie Iris bigraphy, stories - American musician

Donnie Iris : biography

February 28, 1943 –

Donnie Iris (born Dominic Ierace on February 28, 1943) is an American rock musician known for his work with the Jaggerz and Wild Cherry during the 1970s, and for his solo albums since the 1980s with his backing band, the Cruisers. He wrote the #2 Billboard hit, "The Rapper", with the Jaggerz in 1970 and was a member of Wild Cherry after the group had a #1 hit with "Play That Funky Music." He became known as a solo artist in the early 1980s with the #29 hit "Ah! Leah! and the #37 hit "Love Is Like a Rock".

In addition to performing on the first three Jaggerz albums and the fourth and final Wild Cherry album, Iris as a solo artist has released eleven studio albums, one EP, two live albums, and two compilation albums. He continues to release new material and tours throughout northeastern Ohio and western Pennsylvania.

Donnie Iris and the Cruisers members

Main line-up

(1979–1985)
  • Donnie Iris – lead vocals, guitar
  • Mark Avsec – keyboards, background vocals
  • Marty Lee Hoenes – guitars and background vocals
  • Albritton McClain – bass guitar and background vocals
  • Kevin Valentine – drums
(1985–1992)
  • Donnie Iris – lead vocals, guitar
  • Mark Avsec – keyboards, background vocals
  • Marty Lee Hoenes – guitars
  • Scott Alan Williamson- bass guitar
  • Tommy Rich – drums
(1992–1993)
  • Donnie Iris – lead vocals, guitar
  • Mark Avsec – keyboards, background vocals
  • Marty Lee Hoenes – guitars
  • Scott Alan Williamson – bass guitar
  • Steve McConnell – drums
(1993–2003)
  • Donnie Iris – lead vocals, guitar
  • Mark Avsec – keyboards, background vocals
  • Marty Lee Hoenes – guitars
  • Paul Goll – bass guitar
  • Tommy Rich – drums
(2003–2007)
  • Donnie Iris – lead vocals, guitar
  • Mark Avsec – keyboards, background vocals
  • Marty Lee Hoenes – guitars
  • Paul Goll – bass guitar
  • Brice Foster – drums
  • Kevin Valentine – drums
(2007–present)
  • Donnie Iris – lead vocals, guitar
  • Mark Avsec – keyboards, background vocals
  • Marty Lee Hoenes – guitars
  • Paul Goll – bass guitar
  • Kevin Valentine – drums
  • Mark Tirabassi – drums*
  • Mark Tirabassi is the occasional drummer when Kevin Valentine is unavailable.

Biography

Early life

Born Dominic Ierace in Ellwood City, Pennsylvania, Iris began singing at weddings at age five, and by eight was performing on local television and entering talent contests. When his voice changed around age 12, he took up the drums. Donnie learned how to sing from his mother and then from Tony Bennett and Marvin Gaye, and was also a self-taught guitarist, starting at about age 15.

1960s

About the time he was a senior in high school (circa 1961), Iris got back into singing. He formed a vocal group called the Fabutons with Johnny Roth, Anthony Matteo, Lou Delessandro and Chuckie Hasson and performed gigs around Beaver and Lawrence counties. However, the group only performed a few times before they disbanded and Iris went to college.Mentioned by Iris

While attending Slippery Rock State College, Iris formed a band called the Tri-Vels with guitarist Jim Evans and drummer Dave Amodie, two fellow students at Slippery Rock. With the addition of bassist Dave Reiser, they renamed themselves Donnie and the Donnells. This band in both incarnations played R&B and pop rock covers at frat parties and lasted from about 1961 to 1964.

Around 1964, Iris left Donnie and the Donnells to form the Jaggerz (originally the "Jaggers") with Benny Faiella of Gary and the Jewel Tones. After a few changes in line-up early on (including acquiring Jimmie Ross and Jim Pugliano from the Bell Boys), the group became popular playing R&B covers throughout western Pennsylvania and northeastern Ohio. Eventually, Iris and the Jaggerz began to write their own material and secured a contract with Gamble Records. Their first album, Introducing the Jaggerz, was released in 1969. The album was only a minor success, mainly receiving airplay in Iris’ native Beaver County and the rest of the greater Pittsburgh area. Perhaps most importantly, it was the first album Iris recorded on.