Donnie Iris learned how to sing from his Mother and then from Tony Bennett and Marvin Gaye. In 1970, as a member of the Jaggerz, Donnie earned a gold record for writing and singing the No. 1 song The Rapper.
In or around 1978, Donnie was asked to join Wild Cherry (Play That Funky Music, White Boy) in the groups waning days. Donnie met Mark Avsec, his future collaborator and partner, in Wild Cherry and the two of them began discussing plans for a recording project. Oddly enough, Marks first love (at the age of 15) was a huge fan of The Rapper and Mark thought that was somehow profound. Then again, Mark sees profundity in a good many things.
Mark and Donnie began writing some songs in Donnies basement. Eventually, they wanted to lay down some tracks at Jerees Recording Studio. Donnie knew of a terrific bass player named Albritton McClain; he also heard about Marty Lee Hoenes, a hot young guitar player who was playing in a band called The Pulse. Donnie went to go see both Albritton and Marty and, after hearing them, invited both to come down to Jerees Recording Studio to record some tracks for an unknown project; Mark invited drummer Kevin Valentine to the same session (Kevin and Mark were then currently in the band Breathless). Mark brought some songs and sketches of songs, a couple of keyboards, and was eager to produce his first record. Pleasantries all around, within a couple of hours the boys were cutting the tracks for Agnes, Ah! Leah! and the other recordings that would comprise the Back On The Streets album.
The project revolved around Donnies voice and Marks song and production ideas as well as the ferocious playing of Marty, Al, and Kevin. Mark and Donnie decided the record would be Donnies solo album, though they wanted the band to have an identity as well, e.g., Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers. But what to call the band? At the time, Mark lived in Cleveland, Ohio and Donnie lived in Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania (that is still the case). All of the boys were constantly on the Ohio and Pennsylvania turnpikes (particularly Mark) going to and from Jerees Recording Studio in New Brighton, Pennsylvania. Donnie suggested that the group could be called The Turnpike Cruisers, based on the 1958 Mercury Turnpike Cruiser. The Turnpike Cruisers was promptly shortened to Cruisers and Donnie Iris and the Cruisers was born.
The song Ah! Leah! was passed by every major label. However, in 1980 you could still break new music on the radio. WMMS in Cleveland added the record. WDVE in Pittsburgh added the record. WBCN in Boston added the record. The phones exploded. The single and album were issued by Midwest Records, out of Cleveland, Ohio, and both began to chart on the Cashbox and Billboard charts. Eventually, Chrysalis and MCA/Universal made overtures to pick up the music MCA/Universal prevailed. Ah! Leah! peaked at or around ..29 in Billboards Singles Chart, achieved much critical acclaim, and was one of the most played songs in the Album Oriented Radio format in 1980. Donnie was christened by a Toronto reviewer after a blazing show at The El Mocambo in Toronto as the new king of cool. Hence, the follow-up album was called King Cool.
The King Cool album was recorded in the stacked vocals style that Mark and Donnie pioneered on the first album. It yielded the songs Love Is Like A Rock and Thats The Way Love Ought To Be. It also yielded the song My Girl, which reached at or near ..20 on Billboards Singles Chart.
Beginning in 1980, the band began touring relentlessly, pausing only for bouts of recording. During a three year stretch, the band headlined shows all over the country and toured with dozens of artists, including Journey, Loverboy, Bryan Adams, Foreigner, Bon Jovi, The Romantics, Eddie Money, UFO, Nazareth, Ted Nugent, Joan Jett, Hall & Oates, and the Michael Stanley Band, to name a few.
Two other MCA albums followed (The High And The Mighty and Fortune 410) yielding songs like Tough World and Do You Compute? After Donnie and MCA parted ways, several albums were released on a couple of smaller labels (see the Discography section).
When litigation ensued in the mid-eighties, slowing the bands ability to release a new recording, Mark put out a record (recorded in his basement) under the pseudonym Cellarful Of Noise (which was released by CBS Associated). Donnie joined Mark for the second album (called Magnificent Obsession), which featured the song Samantha.
In 1997, after a fairly long hiatus, the original band re-congregated at Jerees Recording Studio to record the Poletown album, which many consider to be the finest Donnie Iris and the Cruisers album. This album departed in a major way from Marks stacked production style, but the playing is typically ferocious (Albritton, Kevin, and Marty are absolutely brilliant), and the songs are lyrically and musically dark and brooding. This album was also the last time that the band recorded with Jerry Reed doing the engineering. Jerry Reed, a lovely and patient man, passed away in 1999.
In the late 1990s, with Tommy Rich behind the skins and Paul Goll installed on bass, the band recorded one of the many shows that they then regularly played at the Nicks Fat City club in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The live album culled from this show is a snapshot of the band during the late 1990s. In 1999, Together Alone was released a very atypical Donnie record. After some false starts at trying to record a new album, Tommy eventually left the band, for the second time, in 2002. Initial tracks were cut for the Ellwood City album with Brice Foster on drums in 2003; additional tracks were cut with Kevin Valentine on drums in December 2004.
In August 2004, Donnie Iris and the Cruisers celebrated their 25th anniversary before 4,000 screaming fans at the Chevy Amphitheater in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. All three drummers Kevin Valentine, Tommy Rich, and Brice Foster were on the stage (as was Marks daughter, Danna, who began sitting in with the band as guest drummer when she turned 16 years old).
The Ellwood City album, three years in the making, was released in May 2006.
Donnie Iris And The Cruisers Plus: Scott McLean with Billy The Kid And The Regulators
Friday July-18-2008 Doors open at 6:00pm The show starts at 7:30pm at "The Warehouse Club" 122 Templeton Way Kittanning, Pa. 16201 724-545-CLUB or 724-388-9540
VIP ticket holders will be invited back stage after the show for a "Meet And Greet" session with Donnie, Scott, and Billy for photos and autographs.
For more information and tickets please check the following web sites:
Hey "Donnie Iris and the Cruisers", I just gave you a human gift! <br/><a href='http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=361263053&source=ni_comment._link...._gift...._v5......'>Click here to unwrap your human and see who it is!</a><br/><br/><a href='http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=361263053&source=ni_appended_img1...._gift...._v1......'><img src='http://cdn1.slicezero.com/oyf_prod/images/promotional/oyf_red_gift.PNG' border='0' /></a><br/>
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Hey Donnie Iris and the Cruisers, I just bought you as my PET! <br/><a href='http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=361263053&source=ni_comment._link...._buy....._v5......'>Click here to find out how much I think you're WORTH!</a><br/><br/><a href='http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=361263053&source=ni_comment._img1...._buy....._v5......'><img src='http://cdn1.slicezero.com/oyf_prod/images/ffs_directory.png' border='0' /></a><br/>
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Hey Donnie Iris and the Cruisers, I just bought you for $1924. <br/><a href='http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=361263053&source=ni_comment._link...._newCash._v1......'>Click here to find out what you can do with all your new cash!</a><br/><br/><a href='http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=361263053&source=ni_appended_img1...._random.._v1......'><img src='http://cdn1.slicezero.com/oyf_prod/images/ffs_money1_myspace.gif' border='0' /></a><br/>
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Hey Donnie! Check out The Vibrokings in my top friends!
The Vibrokings are back and rockin' harder than ever! We relocated to Nashville, TN with original band members Dough Khorey and Ford Thurston along with Chris Lohr and Ronnie Lavella of the Yards...Check out the new single "Get it right" ---look for the album in August 2008 AND look for a show near you!
<span style='font-size:20px; font-weight:bold'>Hey Donnie Iris and the Cruisers, I just bought you as my PET! <a href='http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=361263053'><span style='font-size:larger;'>Click here</span></a> to find out how much I think you're $$WORTH$$!</span><br/><br/><a href='http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=361263053'><img src='http://cdn1.slicezero.com/oyf_prod/images/ffs_money3_myspace.gif' border='0' /></a><br/>
hello we have something in common..<br /><br />
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<span style='font-size:20px; font-weight:bold'>Hey Donnie Iris and the Cruisers, I just bought you as my PET! <br/><a href='http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=361263053'><span style='font-size:larger;'>Click to find out how much I think you're worth!</span></a></span><br/><br/><a href='http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=361263053'><img src='http://static-lb-2.slicezero.com/oyf_prod/images/ffs_money1_myspace.gif' border='0' /></a><br/>
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<a href='http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=361263053'><img src='http://static-lb-2.slicezero.com/oyf_prod/images/ffs_money1_myspace.gif' border='0' /></a><br/><span style='font-size:20px; font-weight:bold'>Hey Donnie Iris and the Cruisers, I just bought you as my PET! <a href='http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=361263053'><span style='font-size:larger;'>Click here</span></a> to find out how much I think you're worth!</span>
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<a href='http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=361263053'><img src='http://static-lb-2.slicezero.com/oyf_prod/images/ffs_money2_myspace.gif' border='0' /></a><br/><span style='font-size:20px; font-weight:bold'>Hey Donnie Iris and the Cruisers, I just bought you as my PET! <a href='http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=361263053'><span style='font-size:larger;'>Click here</span></a> to find out how much I think you're worth!</span>
Oh my goodness the memories I cherish! This is Gary Kosec's ex Karen! I pray all is well it's been ages since the Breathless days :-) <br /><br />
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<a href='http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=361263053'><img src='http://static-lb-2.slicezero.com/oyf_prod/images/ffs_money2_myspace.gif' border='0' /></a><br/><span style='font-size:20px; font-weight:bold'>Hey Donnie Iris and the Cruisers, I just bought you as my PET! <a href='http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=361263053'>Click here</a> to find out how much I think you're $$WORTH$$!</span>
Join in on the fun<br /><br />
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<a href='http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=361263053'><img src='http://static-lb-2.slicezero.com/oyf_prod/images/ffs_money1_myspace.gif' border='0' /></a><br/><span style='font-size:20px; font-weight:bold'>Hey Donnie Iris and the Cruisers, I just bought you as my PET! <a href='http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=361263053'><span style='font-size:larger;'>Click here</span></a> to find out how much I think you're worth!</span>
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<a href='http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=361263053'><img src='http://static-lb-2.slicezero.com/oyf_prod/images/ffs_money1_myspace.gif' border='0' /></a><br/><span style='font-size:20px; font-weight:bold'>Hey Donnie Iris and the Cruisers, I just bought you as my PET! <a href='http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=361263053'>Click here</a> to find out how much I think you're $$WORTH$$!</span>
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<a href='http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=361263053'><img src='http://static-lb-2.slicezero.com/oyf_prod/images/ffs_money1_myspace.gif' border='0' /></a><br/><span style='font-size:20px; font-weight:bold'>Hey Donnie Iris and the Cruisers, I just bought you as my PET! <a href='http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=361263053'><span style='font-size:larger;'>Click here</span></a> to find out how much I think you're worth!</span>
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Hey Donnie iri.., I just bought you on Buy Your Friends. <a href='http://profile.myspace.com/Modules/Applications/Pages/Canvas.aspx?appId=107717&appParams=%7B%22pagename%22%3A%22browse%22%2C%22_rye%22%3A%22myspace-byf-comment-cOff%22%7D'>Click to see how much you are worth!</a><br><br><embed src='http://apps.rockyou.com/images/opensocial/buyyourfriends/dollar.swf' width='100' height='75' wmode='transparent'></embed>
hello
Hey Donnie iri.., I just bought you on Buy Your Friends. <a href='http://profile.myspace.com/Modules/Applications/Pages/Canvas.aspx?appId=107717&appParams=%7B%22pagename%22%3A%22browse%22%2C%22_rye%22%3A%22myspace-byf-comment-cOff%22%7D'>Click to see how much you are worth!</a><br><br><embed src='http://apps.rockyou.com/images/opensocial/buyyourfriends/dollar.swf' width='100' height='75' wmode='transparent'></embed>
<a href='http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=361263053'><img src='http://static-lb-2.slicezero.com/oyf_prod/images/ffs_money2_myspace.gif' border='0' /></a><br/><span style='font-size:20px; font-weight:bold'>Hey Donnie Iris and the Cruisers, I just bought you as my PET! <a href='http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=361263053'><span style='font-size:larger;'>Click here</span></a> to find out how much I think you're worth!</span>
<a href='http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=361263053'><img src='http://static-lb-2.slicezero.com/oyf_prod/images/ffs_money3_myspace.gif' border='0' /></a><br/><span style='font-size:20px; font-weight:bold'>Hey Donnie Iris and the Cruisers, I just bought you as my PET! <a href='http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=361263053'><span style='font-size:larger;'>Click here</span></a> to find out how much I think you're worth!</span>
am picking 12 friends (who have touched my life) and whom I think would want to participate. I hope I chose the right twelve. Please send this back to me (You'll see why). In case anyone is not aware, Saint Theresa is known as the Saint of the Little Ways. Meaning she believed in doing the little things in life well and with great love. She is also the patron Saint of flower growers and florists. She is represented by roses.
May everyone who receives this message be blessed? Theresa's Prayer cannot be deleted. REMEMBER to make a wish before you read the prayer. That's all you have to do. There is nothing attached. Just send this to twelve people and let me know what happens on the fourth day. Sorry you have to forward the message, but try not to break this, please. Prayer is one of the best free gifts we receive. Did you make a wish yet? If you don't make a wish, it won't come true.
This is your last chance to make a wish.
St. Theresa's Prayer: May today there be peace within? May you trust God that you are exactly where you are meant to be? May you not forget the infinite? Possibilities that are born of faith. May you use those gifts that you Have received, and pass on the love that has been given to you. May you be content knowing you are a child of God. Let this presence settle into your bones, and allow your soul the freedom to sing, dance, praise and love. It is there for each and every one of us.
Now, send this to 12 people within the next 5 minutes. And remember to send this back. I count as 1...you'll see why."
Are you like me? <a href="http://www.rockyou.com/events/track.php?event=ms-lk-c-q1&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.rockyou.com%2Flikeness%2Fquiz.php%3Fq%3D1">Take my "Just for fun!" Quiz to find out!</a>
Are you like me? <a href="http://www.rockyou.com/events/track.php?event=ms-lk-c-q1&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.rockyou.com%2Flikeness%2Fquiz.php%3Fq%3D65">Take my "Best way to spend a Friday night" Quiz to find out!</a>
Hey, We are going to be rocking out the EC Moose Saturday night with special guests Craig Glavan and Wine and Spirits. The show kicks off at 8:30pm. There is no cover and nonmembers are welcome.
1- Little Black Dress should be a MAJOR hit across rock radio in this country.... 2-Having met you a few times and seen you through the years, you are one talented and very down to earth person.
3 Have many more good bags of chips!
(for those of you who dont know what that means watch Donnis DVD)
