If you listened to rock radio in the late 1970s and early 1980s you probably know who Donnie Iris is. If you happened to be a denizen of the Steel Alley area, Cleveland-Youngstown-Pittsburgh, at that time you definitely know who he is. If your dear, sweet, sainted Mother was anything like mine she sang "The Rapper" anytime she wrapped presents.

Donnie Iris was born Dominic Ierace today in New Castle, Pennsylvania in 1943. He was a singer, drummer and guitarist in his youth before he formed a band called The Jaggerz. They had local touring success in Western Pennsylvania and Northeast Ohio before releasing the hit "The Rapper" which reached #2 on the singles chart in 1970.

The Jaggerz broke up in 1977 and Iris joined Wild Cherry after their hit "Play That Funky Music". He left Wild Cherry a few years later and formed the band most Northeast Ohioans know him by, Donnie Iris and the Cruisers.

They had a top 40 hit with "Ah, Leah" and a top 10 hit in "Love Is Like a Rock". Though Iris has continually remained active he's never duplicated his early success. Iris still tours locally and has released music as recently as 2014.