Love Is Like a Rock

The Zoo Crew is spinning "Love Is Like a Rock" by Donnie Iris from his 1981 album King Cool, a track that’s got the Zoo Freaks rocking out with its infectious energy. This song, a staple of classic rock radio, hit #37 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 and #9 on the Mainstream Rock Tracks chart. In a 2006 Songfacts interview, Iris shared that the song started as a jam session, sparked by guitarist Marty Lee’s killer riff. The band built the track around it, laying down guitar, bass, and drums before Iris added the vocals, creating a raw, barroom-style anthem. Critics at the time, like Cash Box, called it a "pop/rock anthem" with harmonies reminiscent of Queen’s "We Will Rock You," while Record World praised its blistering guitars and raucous chorus. Fun fact: the song was covered by the English rock band Slade in 1987 for their album You Boyz Make Big Noize. Slade’s bassist Jim Lea thought it fit their style perfectly, and they recorded it with producer Roy Thomas Baker at Wessex Studios.

Another cool tidbit comes from the song’s regional impact. Slippery Rock University, where Iris studied in the early 1960s, often has its marching band play "Love Is Like a Rock" during football games, a nod to their alum’s legacy. Social media posts on Reddit show fans still raving about the song’s live performances, though some recall a rough moment in 1981 when Iris was booed offstage at the Toledo Speedway Jam while trying to get the crowd to sing along—apparently, they were too hyped for REO Speedwagon. On TikTok, a clip of an 82-year-old Iris playing the song live in a Penguins jersey, shredding his Fender with the same passion as he did in the ‘80s, went viral, proving his enduring “King Cool” vibe. Fans on X, like user @dvesean, call Iris a Pittsburgh legend, sharing stories of signed vinyls and epic shows.

Donnie Iris, born Dominic Ierace on February 28, 1943, in Ellwood City, Pennsylvania, kicked off his musical journey thanks to his mother, Carrie, a former orchestra singer who taught him vocal techniques. By age five, he was singing at weddings, and by eight, he was performing on local TV and in talent contests. When his voice changed at 12, he switched to drums but picked up guitar as a self-taught teen, inspired by Elvis Presley, Buddy Holly, the Beatles, and Motown acts like Marvin Gaye. In high school, he formed a doo-wop group called the Fabutons, gigging around Beaver and Lawrence counties. While attending Slippery Rock State College, he majored in chemistry (which he found overwhelming) before switching to English, but left to chase music full-time. At college, he formed the Tri-Vels, a band with fellow students, laying the groundwork for his career.

Iris’s big break came with The Jaggerz in the late 1960s, where he wrote and sang the #2 Billboard hit "The Rapper" in 1970. After the band fizzled, he joined Wild Cherry in 1978, post their hit "Play That Funky Music," and met keyboardist Mark Avsec. The two clicked, left Wild Cherry, and formed Donnie Iris and the Cruisers in 1979. Their 1980 debut album Back on the Streets featured "Ah! Leah!," a #29 hit that scored a five-album deal with MCA Records. The King Cool album cemented Iris’s nickname and regional fame, especially in Pittsburgh, where he’s still a beloved figure. He continues to tour with the Cruisers, dropping new music sporadically, like the 2010 Christmas album Ah! Leluiah!.

Fans can keep up with Donnie Iris on his Facebook and X accounts, though his official website hasn’t been updated since 2010. There’s no official Instagram, but Iris’s music lives on through fan communities. Check out the Donnie Iris and The Cruisers Fan Group on Facebook, where Zoo Freaks can connect with other diehards sharing vinyl pics, concert stories, and love for “King Cool.” Fan sites like Keystone Rock Review also dive deep into Iris’s career, celebrating his five-decade legacy. Whether you’re a longtime fan or a new Zoo Freak, Iris’s high-energy rock and Pittsburgh pride keep the party going.