DONNIE IRIS & THE CRUISERS: AH LEAH! Live 1981

Donnie Iris & The Cruisers: Ah Leah!
Live In Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio 1981
Donnie Iris: Lead Vocals
Marty Lee: Guitar
Mark Avsec: Keyboards
Albritton McClain: Bass Guitar
Kevin Valentine: Drums & Percussion

[@Soundmanfh]

I am just an old-school soundman. Been in the business for over 35 years. Shows like this were done with analog equipment and tube amplifiers. That is why so many of older live music fans will never forget Bonn Scott singing and Angus killing chords, Ted Nugent, ZZ Top, Blue Oyster Cult and tons of others like Donnie Iris, Rush, and Cheap Trick. The feedback of mics and big monitors made the shows. They melted together on stage and we melted with them. Great times.

[@dansweda712]

So right, when I think of some of the best live performances Donny Iris is one that comes to mind, although this video performance sounds about a quarter speed too fast, I seen them on a monsters of rock tour in 1989

[@jj-eo7bj]

Good point

[@bobgomez9481]

This is why digital music sucks. Music ended in 2000 or so.

[@wtrbflo72]

@@bobgomez9481 I don't know about it sucking....tremendously changing I will give you!

[@soonerjoe157]

I saw every one of those bands before I was 18 in Tulsa between 1976 and 1980! And I have the hearing to prove it. Those were the days!

[@johnnygonzales6527]

This is a great song and sounds better live

[@Ahhlia]

When people ask how to pronounce my name, I start singing Ahh Leah!

[@lonewolfomegamale690]

YES!!! 😎🖤💛🤘

[@twoofuswearingraincoats34]

That is so sweet. Fab.

[@yousawithere2676]

It’s been a long long time

[@richardpancoast1210]

My Doctor was named after this song!

[@marksc1929]

Awesome

[@fiery1962]

Anyone who can stand up in a tweety-pie yellow suit and pull off this rock song gets my thumbs up. Quality performance.

[@davethewave65]

lol

[@HappyQuailsLC]

The entrance and the arm gestures were perfect along with the primal screams down on his knees in the floor and the outstretched arms!

[@mikeboonie4375]

Dudes bad ass

[@geonerd]

What's next, some dude in a schoolboy uniform? ;)

[@tinasuarez61]

This song Still Rocks in October 2019! This IS Real Live Music! 80's Forever!!

[@MissUkuleleFreak]

My mother named me "Leah" after this song. She said she was at the car wash and this song came on and she knew immediately this was going to be the name of her daughter if she were to have one. Needless to say, she popped me out. I'm am very happy and proud to be named after a Donnie Iris song!!!!

[@dmanwainright2132]

I love it, love it, love it!!!

[@mariomartinelli3333]

What a great name to be called after such a great song! I named my daughter Paige, after Jimmy Page! It all comes down to rock n roll. GOD Bless You!

[@Martin-iv6lq]

That's about as weird a story as I ever heard. Naming your kid after a song you heard while in a car wash.

[@valeriepeters245]

We have an Aliyah

[@otherworld11]

Priceless

[@jtommy7545]

I get so depressed for rock n' roll when I listen to today's music. Thank God for these videos.

[@Comet-hn3gm]

I don't listen to the music of today.

[@KennethAlan-sr1ch]

It's an absolute shame what's been done to the music industry now days.

[@lyles4829]

Damn 9 years ago lmao ??? U still here ??? 😂❤

[@roberttompkins6489]

He hit it out of the park with this song.

[@joehunter6819]

Donnie Iris outdone himself here in this live setting, it's one great song that's stood the test of time, and we listen to this song everyday, Thank You Donnie for this great memory!!!

[@kerrimiller3397]

Right on Pittsburgh Pa man as I am grew up with this still love it

[@lindabergman3127]

This is a masterpiece imo🔥🔥🔥🔥

[@franktorres1634]

This generation of music will never be as good as this

[@torybrown7730]

I agree 100%

[@alexs3447]

@@torybrown7730 Today's music is crap compared to this

[@steveshotwell-rg3pi]

@@franktorres1634 I would love to Donnie Iris, me and my sister said we would fly 🕊️ up there from Florida to see him and his band, I don't care what it costs ✌️☮️😱🚗🚓🚓🚓🚓🚓🚓🚓

[@GarthWatkins-th3jt]

​@@steveshotwell-rg3piI just watched a video of these guys performing live, he is still killin' it at 81yo! Unreal, I'm so happy for them, it must be a joy to be able to perform and have an audience that loves it. Simply amazing

[@unluckykeys]

what a sad opinion this is. it's all objective, and don't you dare forget that your generation had garbage music too.

[@patrickrabion9473]

When I listen to this song, all my neighbors are too.

[@lemurianchick]

Original.

[@bullsboat1]

They are right now! 🤣🤣

[@markking4472]

Just saw Donnie at his 80th birthday bash Saturday night! Still Rocking after all these years. Never disappoints at any of his shows!

[@melissadavis225]

Oh God I'd love to have seen that ..😂😢🎉❤❤

[@mapmanlxii1715]

80s sheeze I’m getting old then!

[@reneemeston7119]

Best song ever!!!!!!!!!! I'm 56. It's 2024. Donnie is 80 or 81. What the heck! Rock on everyone!

[@BloozeRockJunky]

Donnie and the boys are still around. They gig regularly around Pittsburgh and the Great Lakes area. They can still rock!

[@janeelliott2779]

Blooze RockJunky Where around Pittsburgh❓. I'd love to see and hear them again😊♥️😊♥️😊

[@kennyplay5982]

They are now Warming up for STYX!!!

[@charlesgrybosky1916]

@@janeelliott2779 going to see them in Greensburg at the Palace next month!

[@ronwolk6401]

Just saw them last night at the Palace in Greensburg. 79 and still rocking! Awesome.

[@billschwenke790]

over 10 years since ....now, after Covid shutdown too.... I'd like to see him team up with Tubes' Fee Waybill since they seem very similar

[@roberthanson1680]

Pure awesome, anyone else miss our wonderful past?

[@saraleigh6777]

all the time Robert

[@JamesDHTK]

everyday. everyday, my friend. my youth...

[@WescottF1]

Indeed

[@geoffreyholliday1971]

Music today sucks.......

[@jennifermc809]

Robert Hanson everyday my friend 💙

[@mijomcgyver6270]

This tune is definitely on the soundtrack of my teen years. I was 14 when it came out, living what I now realize were the some of the best times of my life. Great performance of a timeless classic.

[@oldViking66]

We are the same age and yes those were great years!!

[@SenorPlaid]

The thing I love most about this performance is Donnie Iris himself. Look how much he's loving doing this song.

[@LadyGreyBlack]

He's very vibrant here, and not just the suit, either! To catch that bowtie in he crowd.

[@jameswahnee-vn5nt]

​@@LadyGreyBlackYes ma'am Miss Lady

[@martymcpeak4748]

That tone that guitarist has an unreal tone, that Les Paul was screaming. And that 3 part harmony, what a talented band.

[@bobgomez9481]

yeah and he gets no credit on the video. Marty the caveman was not the lead player.

[@mariomartinelli3333]

Everybody in that band played their hearts out. Don't see that stuff anymore

[@tomquinn9325]

From my town

[@dboy6400]

Not missed but there's a fourth harmony part that was absent, it's lower pitched and has an arpeggio (ramp) to it.

[@paulhaberman2419]

I spoke with the sound engineer Paul for the recording of "Ah, Leah". He said that the layers of vocals during the interlude after the second refrain was all done by Donnie on multitrack, which was mostly ab libbed and spur of the moment produced. He said there was a feeling of excitement in the room when they played back the final produced song, and everybody knew it was a hit record!

[@leahmarie112]

As a girl named Leah. I have to say, this song it great ;)

[@michaelsievers8476]

Leah Marie yeah...

[@dynjarren7523]

Aaaah! Leia! When’s it ever gonna end?

[@dynjarren7523]

Our Love we can’t pretend!

[@richardkey4289]

Leah Marie ahhh, Leah!

[@Joeymcgohon]

Your beautiful leah!!!

[@devonchambers7569]

And we still groove on this in 2024. Love it!

[@odefonz]

I've loved this song ever since it came out.

[@jerryhart4073]

This song and their dress code launched Miami Vice and never got recognition.

[@stevenjschuler1169]

I first purchased it on a 45 single now that being said I’m stating my age as prehistoric

[@jameswatts632]

This song is the most underrated rock song of all-time!! I'm going to request this on my classic rock station in Charleston S.C.

[@base656]

I'll be playing with him tonight, and he can STILL hit those high notes at almost 70!! He's a super nice guy, too!

[@dougl.6461]

Killer backup singing!! So nice to see it just like the record!

[@kit2130]

This song is standing the test of time. Still love it now as much as when it came out ♥️

[@lisa.user-xm7kz2tb6x]

❤!

[@robertmuccino3201]

Any thumbs down for this is pure disrespect. This is KILLER live music!

[@jimb3137]

The day before, they had played in Seneca, Ohio. Like if you get the reference.

[@rockofcleve1963]

I saw them in Akron last night and they still rocked the house with Donnie, Mark, Kevin and the rest of the band . King Cool is gonna be 80 soon and can still hit those high notes. Great show for sure...

[@ohioguy215]

Saw them at the Canton Civic Center years ago. Kevin on percussion blew me away and Donnie with his range. The contribution of the rest of the band made it sound like straight outta the studio.

[@jakr1880]

Saw a live performance probably four, maybe 5 years ago. Guy was pushing 80, could still hit the high notes and belt it out with the best of them.

[@redfishradical]

A classic for the ages, and those PIERCING ULTRA HIGH SCREAMS....?! TRULY EPIC! Well done to Donnie & The Cruisers!

[@edwardmcalister8743]

What a classic from my younger days. Always cranked this one up.

[@ohioguy215]

Me too. My neighbors always heard it too.

[@lemurianchick]

@@ohioguy215Soooo original. 😐

[@ohioguy215]

​@lemurianchick Well leperchick ... it's true. We have neighborhood parties and play loud music. Try not to be such a glum wallflower ... no one will ask you to dance.

[@steveshotwell-rg3pi]

Hey Brother,,, I am 70 yrs old and I still crank up my record player and Donnie Iris is still a household word,,,Ahh Leah's is my favorite,,44 years later and us old rockers deserve to keep rockin

[@40milesband]

I have become convinced that Donnie Iris was one of the best singers in his day (although he still throws down at nearly 70), and this line-up of the Cruisers was one of the best touring bands to ever grace the stage. I wish we could rewind the clock and give them the success they deserved.

[@covidflinstone3710]

Ah! Leah! I like singers who dance and prance and rock around the stage. Donnie Iris! This is one of best songs ever, it really is.

[@midyearguru]

Many years ago, when I started doing studio session work in LA, I had the pleasure of meeting Donnie Iris and two Cruisers members, Mark Avsec and Kevin Valentine. I was a relative newbie and they were seasoned veterans. Very kind and gracious and gave me a lot of support.........and a few pointers about the professional music biz.

[@rockingguitarlessons]

talk about a HIT

[@joebradley1520]

Yes folks, this is LIVE, What an amazing concert this must have been..

[@Edtexas80]

It was!!

[@markhundley8938]

Yes, it was.

[@jaimiehorton9669]

The minute I discovered this song I knew I had to find a live version too, and this did not disappoint. I had chills in the middle, his voice is absolutely incredible. I wish more people knew about him.

[@billschwenke790]

radio in Minnesota played him so I for one, knew

[@williambergman3840]

Hell yeah👍👍🥰🥰

[@ryansmurda1552]

He's an absolute legend here in Pittsburgh!

[@larryrowe5259]

At age 58, they did this song live in 2002. Check it out on KZbin.

[@BRUTUSPLAC]

This is 1 of the 1st MTV Saturday Night Concerts

[@SchaefDizzle]

Donnie: Making Leah the best name in rock since 1980.

[@taylor54994]

For 45 years I did not know who performed this song, I wasn't even sure of the song's title even though it was one I truly loved hearing. Then I stumbled onto this video. Thank God now I know the person behind it! I can't stop playing it my head. Donny your a one of a kind rock genius!

[@xxzeon]

I am 55, a long time drummer...have been to hundreds of shows....saw all the BIG names in the seventies///1st concert in 1970 Grand Funk in Toronto Canada @ age 12..Zeppelin, Floyd 3x's Stones in the 70's, 80's, 90's, 2000's..BUT seeing Donnie Iris live touring to support this single/LP...at a too hot -sweaty night club (SUMMERS on the BEACH) right on the ft Lauderdale Fl strip is, to this day, one of the 5 BEST live shows I've ever seen! I didn't plan on going.I was given the tix by a neighbor

[@claytonwhitacre1335]

This sounds exactly like the studio recording, man they're tight. Great performance.

[@latsnojokelee6434]

Complete with microphone feedback- That’s how you know that’s real singing, not lip-synching!! 👍🏻👍🏻

[@t-bo-lesotho]

The backing vocals are absolutely amazing live. Not a missed note by anyone.

[@zoso73]

0:19 really cool how the audiences explodes when they recognize the guitar chords.

[@loulagro2315]

Not to many people talk about the bass player, Albritton McClain. He's a beast of a player and incredibly talented and funky too. Check out him covering "Will it go round in circles" by Billy Preston .......So good....

[@sherribrody5456]

I have always loved this song. Reminds me of a guy in college. I can put this one on repeat and play over and over.

[@kitkrienke9520]

Driving the pacific coast highway in my black 1967 RS/SS Camaro…😊

[@LilyCullen101]

Ah Leah! Ah 1981! Thanks for tune.

[@tigerhawkz4402]

One of the coolest rock video ever recorded....👍

[@joeburkle]

Take me back to 19 fucking 80

[@polopopolo2197]

this song, more than any other, represents the 1980s for me.

[@livelife7011]

Donnie...you are the man!! Band and song are on fire 🔥 Goosebumps

[@mrlionel1965]

38 gave this a thumbs down, SERIOUSLY?? What's not to love about this. Just great rock and roll here people. This IS music, not the bullshit radio gives us now. Imagine, guitar players that can ACTUALLY PLAY! THERE IS NO TALENT out there anymore. It's sad. You still sound great today Donnie! Oh and for all you people saying 1 hit wonder, he had 2 big hits! Love Is Like A Rock, Ah Leah. Do your homework before you post here!

[@loriforker2905]

mrlionel1965 you got that right !

[@jeffalan6339]

The 38 who voted this tune down think today's so called music is great. Remember MTV one hit wonders? Today wouldn't be airing anything no hit wonders.

[@jeffalan6339]

When ever radio has listener call ins for greatest guitarists, drummer,vocals and so on., everyone is of the classic rock era, they used the blues for influence other guitarists as role model. Now with all the greats no matter if on list or m as they made their mark in music. So then why do today's so called bands suck? Only four in my opinion make the grade, if I even that many. Our local radio station plays new rock has changed adding Zeppelin, Hendrix Van Halen Floyd and other greats

[@dez1989]

You forgot one! He had 3 hit songs! Ah Leah, Love is Like a Rock and Do you Compute! I can't believe that no one called out Do you Compute? He recorded this album right down the street from where i lived. It is still there. It was an old, quite large house. Possibly it could be called an old Mansion in the town of New Brighton Pennsylvania. He still lives in the next town up from New Brighton. He kept it local!

[@mrlionel1965]

That one I don’t remember. I will have to go look that one up. I have the CDs here. I only remember those two on the radio.

[@moony9472]

Saw Donnie Iris and his band twice in the early 1980s, and both times they absolutely rocked. He used to wear this long dinner jacket with tails, and always left every bit of energy on stage. Gotta love performers who give it their all each time they perform.

[@njaneardude]

2024 and Donnie Iris still rocking us!!!

[@HardlyAMemory]

1981 - rollerskating - I ****OWNED**** the rink when this one played! LOL

[@skatermaninred45]

still do lol

[@219garry]

I KNOW THAT FEELING. Awesome!

[@jerryhart4073]

Hell to the YEAH! I remember the speed kicking up when this song came on,,, or Joan Jett..... it wasnt safe in the rink

[@stevenjschuler1169]

Hell yeah!

[@Pete9999100]

The organ player with the zebra shirt is really getting into it. Very cool !!!

[@iansnyder274]

Back when being your individual self was encouraged and celebrated. Oh how I miss those days

[@shelleymalecvitale2801]

Good point!

[@6000cs]

Good one. Never seen a generation so devoid of "popular" music taste and talent.

[@yousawithere2676]

Love me some Donnie.

[@BloozeRockJunky]

The keyboard player is Mark Avsec. He still knows how to rock, but he's been one of the top entertainment lawyers in the music business for several years now!

One of the greatest tunes,,,,,,HANDS DOWN. 🍺🎻🎸🎺🎷🎵🎶

[@RocknRolla2023]

I absolutely still rock out to this song and I’m 60 this year. Love this bands enthusiasm!!!!! Great great song!

[@delshoemaker7616]

Ah..... Coke and eighties rock! I miss the good ol days! From what they tell me , I had a very good time! HA!

[@shitzhead3436]

Del Shoemaker more like HA! HA! HA! HA!

[@219garry]

Ya, I would have liked to stretched my 20s out for another 30 yrs. LOL

[@jerryhart4073]

Like Miami coke right? ehehehehe.

[@EllenR654]

Del Shoemaker me too!!!!

[@dougwestphal7003]

Never enough coke

[@Rockit442]

What a Bitchen Voice! And he still has it in his 70's! One of my all time favs...

[@CaptainCraigKWMRZ]

When I was a hired sessionist and was asked for a guitar sound as a reference, I would simply say, "Leah."

[@tonychavez1733]

Seriously.

[@finaljesus]

this song kicks ass still love this song after all these years

[@stevenjschuler1169]

Timeless and as it gets older it gets better

[@zenguitar65]

The comments alone are worth the price of admission... :)

[@michellepalloy4925]

Donnie used to play all over the place but not much these days. He's based in Pittsburgh. I used to live in Youngstown, OH and he played there A LOT over the years.

[@MatthewLooex]

Great song for everyone that loves music

[@dancrone4200]

Seen Donnie with Pat Benatar, Eddie Money, Lover boy and American Grease at the Super Bowl of Rock and Roll, Dover, Ohio. It was like 80 or 81. Great concert. Good times!

[@steventesta6782]

Donnie Iris still rocking!!!!!!

[@bluetroop1]

the drums are so cool!

[@ohioguy215]

Kevin Valentine.

[@teresamichelangeli5620]

He was born to deliver this performance.

[@SteveMoore-ty5bv]

These Dudes Rock!! Side note, I had a Boss named Leah, and she was HOTT!! Used to sing this song to her and make her blush and want me even more. Yes, I was THAT guy...😮

[@davpanable]

Cool factoid donny spent some time in the band wild cherry, the keyboard player is mark avsec he was also in wild cherry

[@oldViking66]

That les Paul sounds great!!

[@kirkluttner1215]

Listen... I'm 61 now, back then...we drove from Latrobe Pa. to some town in in Ohio, it had a weird name... something "falls"...he kicked it, left nothing in his tank! Ya, most of those dudes on stage where hammered...but that didn't stop them from throwing down!!! Wish all could have been there, dam, it was so fucking sweet...

[@timsydlowski5208]

Newton Falls or Nelson Ledges maybe?

[@timsydlowski5208]

Cuyahoga falls next to Cleveland?

[@marvinhighley3444]

Ludlow falls?

[@jackaction7077]

I dont think he can recall😂😂 I know all those places though

[@rcgerland]

Blossom music center, Cuyahoga Falls, Ohii

[@Controlfreek182]

Absolutely awesome song, by the only person who could have pulled it off. Donnie Iris was far from a one hit wonder.

[@far1val2]

Donnie and the Cruisers thank you for such a good tune I will be listening to it till I die!

[@P51]

WOW this a great performance--The drums sound fantastic!

[@KP11520]

What an overlooked brilliant song. Nailing these vocals live is extra KUDOS!

[@chuzedaredbluepill8679]

Saw Don Iris and the Cruisers along with Night Ranger in Sioux City Iowa must have been 1982... really good show!

[@LarryEColeman]

One of the tightest band of the 80's--kicking butt and taking names.

[@WooHoo-itsGaryGnu]

That is a tight live performance

[@21whitman]

killer harmonies. rock bands cant sing like this anymore.

[@mmc8449]

What, it's illegal now!?

[@stevejohnston8543]

Killer song man. My band's going to do it.

[@dennisrouse5358]

Buzby J

[@thequintanashow5058]

That song starts at 70 mph, then hits 80 mph and you think “oh ok, we’re doin this now….” and then that fucker takes it to 100mph!!!! Freaking GENIUS song. !!!

[@johnw1895]

The guy in the zebra print shirt playing two different sets of keyboards at the same time while also singing back up vocals is the definition of an alpha

[@daveg4236]

Not really an alpha...just talented. Just like Geddy and Alex who play guitar or bass and foot pedals and sing. Talent. Nothing Alpha

[@richardlacey4923]

Gtfo.. he’s a 2 bit coked out freak!

[@stevenjschuler1169]

Real musicians back then, unappreciated in today’s world

[@markhull1366]

More than you know: Mark Avsec (born August 23, 1954) is an American rock keyboardist / songwriter / producer, and more recently (since 1995) copyright lawyer, who is best known for being a member of Wild Cherry, and also Donnie Iris & the Cruisers since 1979. Avsec co-founded this band, wrote or co-wrote all of the band's music, was its sole lyricist, and produced all of its albums. (From Wiki)

[@kellyschneider2545]

@@markhull1366 Thanks for posting this! I think Mark Avsec deserves more than being classified as a "2 bit coked out freak".

[@jerrymeeuwse4957]

Had to get a bigger stereo for this song. Then new speakers. McIntosh finally did it.

[@DmxBloodline]

this needs 3 million views

[@jakr1880]

Caught this guy a few years ago when he was in his 70s, and the guy sounded better than most performers in their 40s. Interesting fact, he owned a successful Mortgage business in the Pittsburgh area for decades.

[@jakr1880]

And Mark Avsec was a successful Attorney when not on stage.

[@bensantiago4557]

wow perfectly done.Nobody can sing and scream like that.Glad I'm from Pittsburgh

[@paulvaughn3574]

I grew up in this era!!! The 80's are the best!!!!!

[@MikeUIibarri]

They sounded great!

[@jeffalan6339]

For Donnie to sing like he is here, the vocal range of at the time been mid 60s and that teen age energy. I managed bands not one could touch Donnie's ability ev n the 17 year act they just stood on stage like country singers.

[@chuckharst8676]

Saw them Milwaukee WI, Summerfest, 1983 i believe. Awsome show.

[@bartsimpson6754]

I want to go back

[@stevejohnston8543]

Let's find a time machine Bart

[@loriforker2905]

Bart Simpson me too !

[@jeffalan6339]

Sort of, to know soon musical ability like this will soon fade. Then listen to today's barely musical acts.

[@EllenR654]

Bart Simpson me too!!!

[@gordiasgordian925]

Check out Donnie performing this song at 80 years old!

[@jasminambrosino2059]

I just can' t enough of this song!

[@audnbob1]

oh my God, we miss the 80's too!!!!! Music was REAL people. If I COULD turn back time,....no joke.

[@davidalston3626]

Albritton McClain on bass is fantastic

[@BP-ry6mw]

Tight Tight Tight!

[@karenb.4850]

One of my favorite songs of the 80ties!!! Heard it on the radio today and had to go back and watch this. What good memories in So Cal in the 80ties!