Iconic Pittsburgh rocker Donnie Iris retires from live performances

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 9 Oct, 18:31 · Archive

Donnie Iris, 83, has announced he is retiring from concert performances.

Iconic Pittsburgh rocker Donnie Iris announced Friday that he is retiring from live concert performances. The 83-year-old first came to fame with the Jaggerz' 1970 hit 'The Rapper', before embarking on a solo career that included hits like 'Ah! Leah!' and 'Love Is Like a Rock'.

In a social media post, Iris said he had made the 'difficult decision' to call it a career. He said music had given him 'far more than I could ever put into words' and expressed gratitude to his daughters, family, musicians, crew members, promoters, venues and fans.

Iris was diagnosed with bladder cancer in 2023. He returned to the stage on 16 March 2024 at UPMC Events Center and performed a handful of shows per year since then. His final concert took place on 28 September at Citizens Live at the Wylie, a new concert venue in Pittsburgh's Lower Hill District, which he described as 'a meaningful and fitting moment to share' with fans in his hometown.

How it is being reported

• Ah! No! Donnie Iris is retiring from live performancesPittsburgh Post-Gazette · 9 Oct, 17:21
• Donnie Iris retires from future concert performancesIconic Pittsburgh rocker Donnie Iris announced Friday that he is retiring from future concert performances.TribLIVE · 9 Oct, 17:20

In this story: Donnie Iris · Pittsburgh · The Jaggerz · UPMC Events Center · Citizens Live at the Wylie

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