Donnie Iris, Rocker Who First Earned Fame With the Jaggerz (“The Rapper”), Retires

Donnie Iris, on the cover of a greatest hits collection.

Donnie Iris, the Pittsburgh-area native who first achieved music fame with “The Rapper,” the 1970 smash that he wrote and sang with his band, the Jaggerz, has retired. The 83 year-old rocker, who also spent time with the funk rock band Wild Cherry and later forged a solo career achieving success with a number of hits in the ’80s, announced the news on his Facebook page today (Oct. 9, 2026), explaining that the decision was largely due to recent health issues.

“To my fans, family, friends, bandmates, and everyone who has shared this incredible journey with me,” he wrote, “After much thought, and in light of recent health issues, I have made the difficult decision to retire from future concert performances. Music has given me far more than I could ever put into words. From the earliest days to every chapter of my life, your support has been a constant source of joy and inspiration.”

His post continued: I am deeply grateful to my daughters and my entire family, the musicians, crew members, promoters, venues, and especially the fans who made this life possible. My final performance took place September 28, at the grand opening of Citizens Live at The Wylie, Pittsburgh’s newest concert venue. It was a meaningful and fitting moment to share with all of you in my hometown. Thank you all for showing me grace and gratitude at that performance.

While I will no longer be performing live, the memories, the music, and the connections we have built together will always remain close to my heart.

Thank you for your loyalty, your energy, and your love through all the years. It has been my great honor to make music for you.

With heartfelt gratitude,
Donnie Iris

The Jaggerz’ roots were with an early ’60s Pittsburgh, Pa., band called the Tri-Vels, led by Dominic Ierace, born Feb. 28, 1943. Jaggerz signed with Kama Sutra Records, the label that had enjoyed massive success with the Lovin’ Spoonful a few years earlier. Their second LP, We Went to Different Schools Together, included the Ierace-penned “The Rapper” which was issued as a single in December 1969.

From Best Classic Bands’ feature story on the song: “With its spirited, soul-infused rhythm and great performances from the band members—and its brief, unusual section of applause at the end intended to give it a live feel—the song was perfect for AM radio at a time when diversity was in vogue.

“It took off quickly in the Pennsylvania market, then spread nationally, kept from the top spot in Billboard only by Simon and Garfunkel’s ‘Bridge Over Troubled Water’,” though it reached #1 in Record World.

The March 21, 1970 Record World chart with the Jaggerz at #1.

In 1980, Iris released his debut album with his own band, Donnie Iris and the Cruisers, ultimately sending seven singles into the top 100 between 1980-85, most notably, “Ah! Leah!,” and five albums into the Billboard LPs chart.

Iris’ hits collection is available here.