Ah! Leah!

The Zoo Crew is spinning the classic track "Ah! Leah!" by Donnie Iris, a song that’s become a beloved anthem, especially in Pittsburgh. One fascinating piece of trivia about the song comes from its origins: it was initially conceived by Donnie Iris and his collaborator Mark Avsec as an anti-war song with a Gregorian chant-like chorus. However, as they worked in Avsec’s basement, the hook evolved into the iconic "Ah! Leah!" refrain, transforming it into a passionate love song. The real Leah was Leah Frankford, a former girlfriend of Iris from Chippewa Township, Pennsylvania, near his hometown of Ellwood City. A 2008 report by The Beaver County Times revealed that Frankford had moved to Florida before Iris’s earlier band, The Jaggerz, hit it big, and she later learned of the song’s inspiration through a chance connection between her daughter and Iris’s girlfriend.

Another intriguing story involves a legal battle over "Ah! Leah!" In 1981, part-time songwriter Mark Alton from Detroit filed a $2 million copyright infringement lawsuit, claiming the song’s chorus was similar to his demo "Here I Go Again." Iris and Avsec denied the claims, asserting they hadn’t heard Alton’s demo, and after a jury trial, they were cleared. However, the legal fees cost them approximately $120,000 in royalties, a significant hit at the time. Avsec was so impacted by the experience that he pursued a law degree, becoming an intellectual property attorney. Fans on platforms like Reddit have also shared personal connections, with one user recalling meeting Iris on their 21st birthday, where he signed an autograph with "Keep Rockin’," cementing his reputation as a down-to-earth rock star.

The song’s production is notable for its massive vocal layering, with Iris reportedly stacking over 60 vocal tracks for the chorus to create its distinctive, wall-of-sound effect. This technique, rare for the era, gave "Ah! Leah!" a unique texture that still resonates with listeners. On r/80smusic, fans have praised its catchy guitar riffs and described it as a quintessential 80s track, with one user sharing a nostalgic memory of their school bus driver cranking the song on a stereo-equipped bus, rocking the kids all the way to school. The song’s cultural impact extends to Pittsburgh’s sports scene, where it’s played at Pittsburgh Pirates games and used as bumper music for Pittsburgh Steelers broadcasts on NBC.

Donnie Iris, born Dominic Ierace on February 28, 1943, in Ellwood City, Pennsylvania, began his musical journey at a remarkably young age. Inspired by his mother, Carrie, a singer in a local orchestra, Iris started performing at weddings by age five and appeared on local television by eight, entering talent contests. When his voice changed during adolescence, he switched to drums but returned to singing in high school, teaching himself guitar along the way. While in college, he formed Donnie & the Donnells, a doo-wop group, laying the groundwork for his career. His big break came with The Jaggerz, where he wrote and sang the 1970 hit "The Rapper," which reached #2 on the Billboard Hot 100. After The Jaggerz disbanded, Iris joined Wild Cherry, contributing to their 1976 smash "Play That Funky Music." When Wild Cherry fizzled out, Iris teamed up with Mark Avsec, a former Wild Cherry bandmate, to form Donnie Iris and The Cruisers, launching his solo career with the 1980 album Back on the Streets.

Fans can stay connected with Donnie Iris through his official website at www.donnieiris.com, though its news section hasn’t been updated since 2010. His Facebook page and X account offer occasional updates on performances, with Iris, now 81, still playing shows in the Pittsburgh area. Unfortunately, no official Instagram account is listed for Iris. For fan communities, the Donnie Iris and The Cruisers Fan Group on Facebook is a vibrant space where Zoo Freaks can share memories, discuss songs, and post about upcoming gigs. While no dedicated fan websites are widely active, platforms like Discogs and Last.fm provide detailed discographies and fan-driven content for enthusiasts to explore Iris’s legacy.