Donnie Iris: key obituary facts
Is Donnie Iris dead? Yes. Donnie Iris died on October 26, 2026, at age 83.
Cause of death: Donnie Iris's cause of death was reported as Cancer.
What was Donnie Iris known for?
He was an American musician.
More about Donnie Iris
Born: 28 February 1943.
Place of birth: New Castle.
Gender: male.
Occupation: guitarist, singer.
Nationality: United States.
Education: Slippery Rock University, Lincoln High School.
Career began: 1961.
Genres: Rock, pop rock, power pop, hard rock.
Instruments: Guitar, vocals.
Years active: 1961–2026.
Donnie Iris, an American rock musician and songwriter, died of bladder cancer on October 26, 2026, aged 83.
Born Dominic Ierace in New Castle, Pennsylvania, he began his musical career in 1961 as a guitarist and singer. He attended Lincoln High School and Slippery Rock University.
During the 1970s, he worked with the Jaggerz and Wild Cherry, before beginning a solo career in the 1980s with his band, the Cruisers. With the Jaggerz, he wrote “The Rapper,” which reached No. 2 on Billboard in 1970; he performed on the group’s first three albums. He also joined Wild Cherry and appeared on the band’s fourth and final album. As a solo artist, Iris scored chart hits with “Ah! Leah!,” which peaked at No. 29, and “Love Is Like a Rock,” which reached No. 37. His work spanned rock, pop rock, power pop and hard rock. Over the years, his solo band released eleven studio albums, one EP, two live albums and two compilations. He continued intermittently to release new material and tour in the Youngstown and Cleveland areas of Ohio and greater Pittsburgh.