Donnie Iris to return to concert stage after cancer treatment
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Great news, rock fans. Donnie Iris has received a clean bill of health.
The 80-year-old musician, whose hits include “Ah! Leah!” and “Love Is Like a Rock,” is making plans to return to the concert stage in 2024 after battling cancer for most of this year.
The official Facebook page for Donnie Iris & The Cruisers made the announcement Monday: “Update: We’re excited to tell you that Donnie is doing great! No more chemo! Doctors do not see any more cancer. Such great news! He feels like singing!”
Iris, a regional favorite, received the cancer diagnosis shortly after his 80th birthday concert last March. While he underwent treatment, Iris and his band canceled their summer gigs, including a July 24 appearance at Blossom Music Center in Cuyahoga Falls with Foreigner and Loverboy.
Tickets will go on sale to the general public at 10 a.m. Friday, Nov. 17, on Ticketmaster for a concert being billed as “The Luck of the Iris.” Donnie Iris & The Cruisers will perform at 7 p.m. Saturday, March 16, 2024, at the UPMC Events Center in Moon Township northwest of Pittsburgh. The Vindys, a popular band from Youngstown, will be the opening act.
It’s the same venue where Iris celebrated his birthday bash last year.
“Get your tix early because this will sell out!” the Facebook post noted. “See you soon!”
Before the health crisis, Donnie Iris & The Cruisers usually played a concert every other month. Most of their shows in recent years have been in their stronghold of Pennsylvania and Ohio.
Keyboardist Mark Avsec and drummer Kevin Valentine are Cleveland natives. Iris grew up in Ellwood City, Pennsylvania, while lead guitarist Marty Lee Hoenes and bassist Paul Goll are from Erie.
Known for his trademark glasses, catchy songs and patented shriek, Iris rose to national attention in 1970 with the chart-topping song “The Rapper” by The Jaggerz, a band he formed as a college student at Slippery Rock. He later joined Wild Cherry, an Ohio group famous for “Play That Funky Music,” and that’s where he met Avsec.
Donnie Iris & The Cruisers debuted in 1980 with the album “Back on the Streets,” featuring the Top 40 rocker “Ah! Leah!” The 1981 follow-up, “King Cool,” featured the hit “Love Is Like a Rock.”
Iris’ other hits include “Sweet Merilee,” “My Girl,” “That’s the Way Love Ought to Be,” “Tough World,” “This Time It Must Be Love,” “Do You Compute?” and “Injured in the Game of Love.”
Northeast Ohio residents remember Iris as the opening act for Cleveland’s Michael Stanley Band during three sold-out concerts at Blossom Music Center in August 1981.
Until Monday’s announcement, Iris’ most recent update had been July 5 when he wrote: “Thanks to all of my friends and fans out there for your continued support and concern for my health. I am recovering nicely but I am going to need a little more time to recuperate.”
Originally announced as a six-week hiatus, Iris’ scheduled return will come a full year after his last performance. He will turn 81 on Feb. 28.
Fans celebrated Monday’s announcement on Facebook.
“That’s great news,” Vivian Widmer wrote. “It’s time to party!”
“Yes! So glad to hear this!” Renee Musarra agreed.
“My heart is so full!!! I have been praying for you big time!” Leigh Moose posted.
“Keep rockin’ Donnie! You got this!” Bob Konshak noted.
“Already booked my room!” Beth Lewis wrote. “See ya in March!”
Mark J. Price can be reached at mprice@thebeaconjournal.com
More: Read an interview of Donnie Iris from 2022
Vintage photos: WMMS revisited: When the Buzzard ruled Cleveland radio
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Donnie Iris to return to concert stage after cancer treatment
