Rock music legend Donnie Iris died on Monday, October 26, at the age of 83, following a three-year battle with bladder cancer. His death was confirmed in a Facebook post by bandmate and drummer Joe Vitale Jr., and came just weeks after Donnie announced his retirement from performing live.
Final Performance and Retirement
His final performance came on Monday, September 28, at the opening night of Citizens Live at The Wylie, a new concert venue in Pittsburgh. Footage from the event shows he was forced to perform seated in a chair, having undergone radiation treatment earlier that same afternoon.
On October 9, he shared a statement confirming his retirement from live shows. He thanked his daughters, his family, his musicians and crew, and the fans who had supported his career, writing: "The memories, the music, and the connections we have built together will always remain close to my heart."
Tributes and Legacy
His bandmate Mark Avsec later told Pittsburgh Post-Gazette: "He sang like a bird that night. It was the first time on a chair, and he didn’t like that. But the poor guy, the cancer was spreading, and he was in pain, and he really wanted to do that show and be with the people."
In his Facebook post, Joe Vitale Jr. wrote: "Good evening my friends," he penned. "Tonight, I have some very sad news to share. Many of you may already know about this, but today my boss and friend Donnie Iris passed away at the age of 83. ...At the first full show I performed with with [the band] in 2021, right before we went on stage, Donnie turned to me and gave me a huge hug. He always had an infectious smile, incredible energy and a wonderous personality. After you meet him, you honestly just love him. You could just sit and talk with him, laugh with him. He was King Cool...Donnie, love ya brother RIP my friend."
Donnie began his career in the early 1960s but first found fame as a member of the Jaggerz, whose 1970 single The Rapper reached No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100. Eight years later he joined Wild Cherry as a keyboardist and backing vocalist. However, after just a year with them in 1979, he broke away with keyboardist Mark Avsec to launch Donnie Iris and the Cruisers.
Their 1980 hit single Ah! Leah! became one of their defining tracks and a fan favourite, along with their 1981 track Love Is Like a Rock. In total, his career spanned six decades, and tributes flooded in as fans learned the tragic news.
Writing on Facebook, one fan penned: "It seems that everyone in Pittsburgh has a Donnie Iris story. He was loved and cherished by all, and I count myself among them....To say I’ll miss him is an understatement...This one really hurts...Love you Donnie."
Another added: "Some people come into your life as friends and become family. Last October, I had the honour of seeing my friend Addy’s dad, Donnie Iris, in concert, and I’m so grateful I had that weekend with him and his family...More than a celebrity, he’s someone people truly love...I went to Pittsburgh to see my friend’s dad in concert. I came home understanding why an entire city loves him. RIP Donnie Iris "Dad"."
A third chimed in: "After reading and seeing so many tributes to Donnie Iris, I feel that I couldn’t touch how good the other ones are. That being said, I would be remiss if I didn’t mention how much he affected me...RIP Donnie. You and your music made a big difference in my life."
Meanwhile, a fourth shared: "Donnie Iris was King Cool. He was also the king of the mountain when it came to Pittsburgh music. In a city with no shortage of great musicians, he was the most beloved of them all...a legend in every sense, but what I'll remember most is how genuinely nice he was. How generous with a compliment. How interested in other musicians. How completely comfortable he seemed being just another guy in the room. I've always thought of Pittsburgh as a humble but great city. I really can’t think of anyone more perfectly suited to be its King. God Bless Donnie Iris."
