Overview
- His death was reported Monday, Oct. 26, by longtime friend and concert promoter Rich Engler and confirmed by multiple local outlets.
- No official cause of death has been released by family or officials as of the latest reports.
- Iris announced his retirement from live performing on Oct. 9 after giving a final concert on Sept. 28 at Citizens Live at The Wylie, a show he delivered while seated after same‑day radiation treatment.
- He was first diagnosed with bladder cancer in 2023 after his sold‑out 80th birthday show and continued to record and perform intermittently while undergoing treatment.
- Iris rose to national notice with the Jaggerz — writing and singing the 1970 top‑10 hit “The Rapper” — and later led Donnie Iris & The Cruisers to regional fame with the 1980 single “Ah! Leah!” and enduring popularity across western Pennsylvania.