Donnie Iris was born on Dominic Ierace, February 28,1943 and is an American rock musician known for his work with the Jaggerz and Wild Cherry during the 1970s and for his solo career beginning in the 1980s with his band, the Cruisers.
13 Facts About Donnie Iris
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Donnie Iris continues to intermittently release new material and tour throughout the Youngstown, Ohio; Cleveland, Ohio and greater Pittsburgh areas.
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Donnie Iris grew up in Ellwood City a short distance to the southeast from New Castle.
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Donnie Iris practiced by singing along with his mother's favorite singers, Frank Sinatra and Tony Bennett.
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Donnie Iris formed a vocal doo-wop group called the Fabutons with Johnny Roth, Anthony Matteo, Lou Delessandro, and Chuckie Hasson and performed gigs in Beaver and Lawrence counties in Pennsylvania.
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The title of the album is a reference to the trademark glasses Donnie Iris wears, Fortune 410's.
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Since the band seemed to have hit a road block, Donnie Iris partnered with Avsec on the second Cellarful of Noise album, Magnificent Obsession, which was released in 1988.
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The first true compilation album from the band was released in 2001 by their former label at MCA: 20th Century Masters: The Millennium Collection: The Best of Donnie Iris, featuring material from the band's four MCA-released albums from the early 1980s.
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Donnie Iris received special commendations and awards from United States congresswoman Melissa Hart and Pennsylvania state representative Frank LaGrotta.
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Donnie Iris later approached Iris and Marty Lee Hoenes who both immediately liked the idea, giving birth to King Cool Limited.
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Also in 2010, Donnie Iris retired from the mortgage banking business and sold SIMCorp.
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In February 2015, Donnie Iris was nominated for a Pittsburgh Rock 'N Roll Legends Award in the modern era category.
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Donnie Iris was enshrined with a plaque at the Hard Rock Cafe in Pittsburgh on April 23,2015 and he performed a set with an all-star Pittsburgh band.