Singer Donnie Iris recovering from cancer surgery
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Singer Donnie Iris, 80, whose hits include “Ah! Leah!” and “Love Is Like a Rock,” has been battling cancer.
“He’s got the best care, and everyone is very optimistic for his full return to health,” said Megan Ditton, Live Nation’s director of regional marketing for the Great Lakes, in a prepared statement. “He recently had surgery and his prognosis is good.”
Iris, a regional favorite, learned the diagnosis shortly after his 80th birthday concert in March, Ditton explained. He and his band, The Cruisers, canceled three May concerts “due to health reasons.” An announcement on the band’s Facebook page said: “Donnie’s doctor suggested he not perform for the next six weeks.”
Because Iris needs more time to heal, he will not be able to perform in Youngstown on June 21 with REO Speedwagon, Ditton said. Levon will replace Iris on the bill at the Youngstown Foundation Amphitheatre. Tickets are available at www.ticketmaster.com.
Iris hopes to resume his regular schedule on July 24 at Blossom Music Center in Cuyahoga Falls with Foreigner and Loverboy.
Donnie Iris & The Cruisers usually play a concert every other month. Most of their shows are 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. Iris released a concert video, “Live at Blossom,” whose videos were in constant rotation on MTV.
“Hello! I'm overwhelmed by all the love and support,” Iris wrote in an April post on Facebook. “I have read every comment and appreciate them so much. Thank you! We'll keep on rockin!”
Mark J. Price can be reached at mprice@thebeaconjournal.com
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This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Singer Donnie Iris recovering from cancer surgery
