Donnie Iris, Pittsburgh Rock Icon, Dies at 83 After Cancer Battle
Donnie Iris, a defining figure in Western Pennsylvania music history, has died at age 83 following a three-year battle with bladder cancer. Known for his powerful vocals and hits like 'Ah! Leah!' and 'The Rapper,' he transitioned from the 1960s band The Jaggerz to the 1980s success of Donnie Iris and the Cruisers. He performed his final concert in September 2026, sitting in a chair due to illness, before retiring shortly after.