Donnie Iris (Ah! Leah!) Kel's First Reaction

Kel's first reaction to classic Donnie Iris - Ah! Leah!
• Ah Leah - Donnie Iris ...
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[@davidmarshall8998]

Donnie Iris is an excellent performer. Love his music. An even better gentleman in person. The guy is a legend in Western PA, Ohio, and West Virginia.

[@RM-ks8pp]

It's one of those songs that never gets old...

[@mopar546]

Pittsburgh's own Donnie Iris, still very much loved around here.

[@ShanLH5]

Yes!!! 😊

[@dino0228]

Nothing beats those deep bass synthesizers with Donnie belting it out, and the killer bridge! The tinge of emotion takes you right back to wherever you were when you first heard and couldn’t get enough of this song. I just wish I never saw the actual video; all those years I was picturing somebody resembling Axl Rose. 😫

[@billpoulakis1741]

How can you not love this song??? Classic

[@nathanmcdonald610]

Beautiful moment captured at 4:02. She caught him in the moment and just smiled. Little moments like that are all we'll have left in the end.

[@rogerwelsh2335]

Love Donnie Iris. Seen him over 70 times in concert. He’s from my hometown and he is the man in Pittsburgh and with all the yinzers that live there

[@DanielFrost21]

I live in Pittsburgh, close to where Donnie's from, and I'm a huge fan. Another great song of his is 'That's The Way Love Oughta Be'. He's amazing; he's in his 70s and still performing.

[@bobbyfoster3769]

"That's the Way..." is awesome. My favorite track of his.

[@bradleysheakley5955]

Born and raised in Butler,PA. Now live in Arizona but every time I hear Donnie Iris I always think of the Burgh!

[@DanielFrost21]

@@bradleysheakley5955 My Mom is from Butler. She lived on E. McQuistion Road. I have an aunt and uncle that live in Butler.

[@larafranks4115]

"That's the way Love Ought to be" is one of the best songs ever. It should be re-released. I think it could be number one. It's timeless. I can't believe it wasn't a number one song back in the day.

[@nedrini1387]

Man I love this song. I will bet you guys are the only ones to react to this.

[@dr4782]

This song peaked at #29 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 on February 28, 1981.

[@mattthomas3207]

can't believe that's all the higher it ever got

[@starburstppl]

I FREAKIN LOVE THIS SONG!!!! YES, I'M SHOUTING WITH MY CAPS!!! I bet it's been 20 years since I've heard this!!! THANKS FOR THIS AWESOME SONG!!!! :-)

[@jimmm7339ki3456]

Another great song is "Love Is Like A Rock", also by Donnie Iris.

[@stompugood18]

I'm from south of Pittsburgh and grew up on Donnie Iris....Proud of this Pittsburgh Band

[@lawrencejohnson2179]

Haven’t heard this song in twenty years. I had forgotten how awesome this song was! Thank everyone for this very catchy request. Will be humming this the night’s remainder.....😀

[@HALberdier17]

I hear it a lot on the radio because I'm from the Pittsburgh area and one of his songs are on the radio at least once a day if not once a week.

[@lawrencejohnson2179]

Pittsburgh and Cleveland....two cities that just keep Rockin’.....big salute to y’all from This Texan!!!

[@6lillium]

One of the best songs from the era.... I was in Jr high school. This was the end of the golden age of radio (pre MTV).

[@Kel.N.RichReactions]

Hey @TR!!! Nice to hear from you man. AAAAAAAAAAAAH LEEEEEEEEEE YAAAAAAAAA ....Here we go again....AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA LEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH

[@6lillium]

@@Kel.N.RichReactions always have had a soft spot for this one. The ending just crushes! This song and " Jane" by Jefferson Starship...🔥

[@msaz2720]

I just saw Donnie at a small venue in Pittsburgh, he still sounds great!

[@davidwestendorf7935]

Can't believe you guys even heard of Donnie. A legend in Pittsburgh.

[@johndanko1882]

Epic song!! Donnie iris performed this song this past july and he sounded great!! Outdoor venue and he sang it just great!!! At the age of 78 years old. Gotta love it and him!!!

[@msaz2720]

I live in Pittsburgh, and Donnie Iris is our Superstar!!! I just saw him recently in concert, and he's still screaming perfectly!!! Donnie has a pretty big catalogue, he should have gotten more love from the music world on a bigger stage, if you know what I mean. Sweet Merilee That's the way love always be Pretender Color me Blue Agnes I can’t hear you no more Love is like a rock Do you compute There's more, I know I'm forgetting some. Anyhoo, great classic band from the Burgh!

[@maximumrandb]

one of the victims of MCA records

[@msaz2720]

@@maximumrandb What did happen with MCA? Please do tell, I never heard that story?

[@bettyrocker_Lia]

As a Lia from Pittsburgh, YES I've always loved hearing my name wailed like that :)

[@ShanLH5]

Lia!! Omg haaa! This song is STILL amazing 😊

[@joeyboedeker7205]

Way back machine)))))) Sang this when a girl named Leah would come in to the scene shop in college))))

[@maiden913]

That’s a great freakin song awesome harmonies classic riff

[@drew65sep]

Donnie Iris, Eddie Money, April Wine, Talking Heads, The Cars, The Fixx, and yes, Flock of Seagulls, and The Cure (and I still "rock" each of em to this day) were friggin huge back when I was in highschool... but, this one is simply a great Rock song hands down.

[@The_Real_Indiana_Joe]

Who cannot like this song??? IT'S AWESOME!!!

[@jasonwilliams6005]

Local legend here in Pittsburgh! Still performing strong today.

[@ctfan1486]

King cool ! Proud yinzer!

[@kberg2020]

Donnie Iris at 80 is still performing live. Amazing.

[@Chris_Clark1MaidenFan]

That song brings back a lot of good memories for me. Nothing like being a teenager from 1979 - 1985. The 80’s is without a doubt the “GREATEST MUSIC ERA EVER.” 🤘🤘UpTheIrons🤘🤘

[@DanielCuccherini-il2iz]

Donnie was also the lead singer for the band the Jaggerz(The Rapper)another great song

[@bobbrogley1033]

Just saw Donnie in March. His first show after cancer treatments for a year. As usual, he and the band were awesome.

[@garykelly7422]

Definitely a classic, excellent rock anthem.🎸🤘👍👍

[@christomashofski9160]

This was one of my old MTV favorites too! Donny Iris' appearance on stage always made me think of a nerdier version of Buddy Holly! But "science teacher" works pretty good too! LOL! :)

[@robertlang8275]

I was thinking the same thing...he looks like Buddy Holly

[@todvball]

OMG! Thanks for reacting to THIS one. 1985.... BGSU.... I saw..... Donnie Iris & the Cruisers!!! HAHA...such a great show (and funny) . Another great song is Agnes. LOL. I'm now getting up...after falling out of my chair.... Thanks for Ah! Leah! :D

[@marksavage1744]

I'm hauling steel through St Louis and heard this on the radio this morning. Donnie still plays live and still lives on the airwaves! The Pittsburgh, Pa area has always had a great music scene!

[@Kel.N.RichReactions]

Good hauling to you! Great to hear Donnie is still rocking out!!!! 🥰

[@marksavage1744]

@@Kel.N.RichReactions Thanks! It's hard to find a good radio station on the road, but there are a few that play some variety. 97.5. The Rock east of St Louis is really something special with music that rarely gets played. Further east around Effingham, IL is where I heard Donnie Iris. That was 97.7 or 97.9 I think. Not a bad station either. On one of the youtube Ah! Leah! "Official Videos", I left a reply to a Micheal Cowie comment. I included a long list of Pittsburgh area bands which I highly encourage you to check out. Try "Nuclear Apathy" by Crack the Sky who is from Stuebenville, Ohio just west of Pittsburgh. It's long, but don't give up on it. And watch your ears. It gets loud! CTS was incredible! Also Bill Toms and Hard Rain with "Another Round for the West End Kid" and "A Million Miles from Home" Bill is still playing and Donnie plays once in awhile ate 80 years old!

[@marksavage1744]

@@Kel.N.RichReactions There was an awesome hard rock band in Pittsburgh in the '70s Diamond Reo (the name of a truck manufacturer back then). Their '76 l.p. "Dirty Diamonds" was their best. That band was fronted by Frankie Czuri who played with Donnie back in the 60s in a band called The Jaggerz. They had a big hit "The Rapper". I hope I'm remembering all that correctly. Also check out "Double E", "Gasoline", and "Miracle Man" by the Hawkeyes...... "Snowman" by The Clarks.... and "Lost in America" by The Gathering Field. Donnie hangs out at Jergel's Rhythm Grille northwest of Pittsburgh. Plays a few shows there too.

[@daneng3641]

I sing this to my daughter a lot. Her name is Lia. I have a feeling she's going to get a serenade tonight! One of the first songs that I taped off of the radio back in 8th grade. "Songs I" I believe the tape was named. I even remember what the DJ said afterwards: "That was Donny Iris for people drinking beer out in Doylestown."

[@davidbutler3149]

Omg...this is such a kick ass song...i love your reactions...

[@truckrboat]

AND 70 years old and he is still rocking it hard in the Cleveland/Pittsburgh area

[@TheBruceGday]

Watch live versions from 2016, 2018, 2021…holy crap the dude is 78 years old and still belts it out like this while rocking on the stage!

[@jasonciaravino1232]

Yes!! One of my favorites. Great choice guys.

[@jasonciaravino1232]

Btw, my wife, her sister and I karaoke this song regularly. Super fun to sing. Thanks for the shout out also :)

[@audiofile8833]

Another great song from Donnie Iris is "Love is like a rock." Check it out when you get the time.

[@HALberdier17]

I also like "I Can't Hear You"

[@rogerwelsh2335]

Donnie still plays today with his original band. He will be celebrating his 77th birthday and is better live than on record. He is known for his stage presence and live shows

[@bobbyfoster3769]

The entire album, "Back on the Streets" is amazing. Donnie rocks!

[@rick5440]

First song I remember hearing when I got married and moved into my apartment at 19 years of age. Will always be a little special for that reason

[@prettyboyfloydms]

He's from my hometown of Pittsburgh Pa!!!!!

[@jeremyday1611]

He's from my hometown Pittsburgh so I love it. Great vid!!🤙

[@r.miller4810]

I actually saw Donny Iris in concert in the 80's. He and Robert Palmer were warming up for the feature act that escapes me right now. (Too many concerts, too many substances) I do remember Donny and the band were great musicians beyond this song. Chicago crowds and be brutal if you suck and everyone dug his set. Iris really struck me as Buddy Holly lookalike.

[@elza32358]

Wow, 1980. I love love love love love this song, but had totally forgot about it until now.

[@williambevins]

Boy this song brings back a lot of memories. It was out around the time I moved across the country and had to say goodbye to a casual girl friend. Also remember the song "The Rapper".

[@stevej.1428]

The song Agnes is another great one from him. Growing up in Pittsburgh we heard his stuff all the time on the radio. People always got him and J. Geils confused, since they were similar stylistically and both pretty popular at the time.

[@Agislife1960]

One of the best rock and roll riffs to ever hit the air waves

[@brokenmummy232]

I just started watching some of Y'alls videos this was a great song and reaction thanks so much.

[@LyricMasterrr]

Hello. Thank you for watching my video. I am glad both of you enjoyed it. (And yes. I am the one who made the video)

[@HALberdier17]

They play a lot of his songs on the radio here to this day. Ah Leah, I Can't Hear You, Love is Like a Rock.

[@donnadubyak6504]

Donnie just had an 80th birthday concert.

[@vanhouten7377]

Love is like a rock

[@AudiophileTubes]

Timeless, awesome rock song! As good as it gets! P.S. LOVE YOU GUYS! You exhude such joy and genuineness!

[@pagecampbelljr4562]

I seen Donnie iris at Louies rock city in Alex va in 1982 always loved this song

[@tinasuarez117]

Donnie Iris will be 79 yrs old in a few days & can STILL Belt his screams out just like this 1980 song. Yes he still performs.

[@SirManfly]

the only Donnie Iris album i ever owned. still own it in mint condition and still play it all the time!!

[@ericsierra-franco7802]

Donnie hit a home run with this song!

[@cs292]

That opening baseline is like the beginning of a Sabbath tune.

[@helzapoppin9810]

Great great song, so many memories. Love is Like A Rock is awesome too.

[@louiegarcia1848]

Man that bass riff! 🤘 man rich you're takin me ta school again brotber! Gracias amigo killer jam

[@Kel.N.RichReactions]

Love ya man. You are terrific!!!

[@nickdangerno1]

I started playing guitar in 1965 or 66. LBJ was Prez. I also had a radio show in college Fri. nites 9pm to Midnight. Every dorm had me on rocking them out. All dorm's opened their doors in the hall and you could here me all over the school I introduced tunes that they never heard. Brian Auger King Crimson. That's why I really like what all sites like your's. I can play Ah Leah

[@adrathemetaloutlaw754]

This is one of my moms faves. She played it so much that I got burned out on it when I was a kid..

[@Yngwulff]

Great tune

[@thomasbianchino3116]

Love that song as much the millionth time I heard it as the first time I heard it. Kickass tuneage.

[@c.willharden9589]

Love it,!

[@wesdog8975]

Another description of Donny is being a Science Teacher that dresses like Buddy Holly

[@Egilhelmson]

He makes Bill Nye The Science Guy look like that dude from NASA with the ponytail during the landing of one of the Mars probes.

[@rogerwelsh2335]

Every vocal is Donnie voice they spent so long stacking vocals. He sang the chorus a zillion times. He’d sing several different low register, mids and highs. The man they’d stack and layer them so it would sound like a hundred people. They were inspired by Queens producer and experimented with production techniques

[@Ayawahamin]

Goosebumps.

[@completecharleston7142]

Great tune and reaction - reminds me of early 80's MTV days, he also had a live video of "Love Is Like A Rock" on heavy rotation, which our band played at the time. A short time later, he was booed at beginning of a concert when he said "Hello, SOUTH Dakota", except he was in Fargo, NORTH Dakota - can't have that!

[@LaStarza61]

Donnie Iris is a very talented artist! That's him playing lead guitar... He was a great vocalist too. All of those background vocals are him!

[@Ddarke11]

Timeless classic.

[@rogerwelsh2335]

Definitely on the list of best classic rock songs ever

[@RNNONMT]

Love this song - always loved it!!

[@richardlacey4923]

Love this one ...never gets old

[@JB-wr4mk]

The greatest pop song of all time. Donnie Iris the best falsetto in the business

[@MissingaDIMM]

Very cool info about Donnie being in Wild Cherry. I hadn’t heard that before. Great work. 👍

[@vrexxter1750]

Simply fantastic.. Kel nailed it a fun song. To me it's in addition to being fun. It's a good example of less is more ie( the lead riff. I love it it actually gives me a rush every single time of the 1000 times I've listened to it) I believe 1979. Maybe 80 I first heard it on my way to windover to the casino and I won won a lot I contributed my win to this happy tune and from then on I I've called it my lucky tune seems everytime I hear it on the radio unplanned something good happens .. there's more to this song if anyone cares to hear my thoughts .lol

[@jonsaylor756]

I liked this song so much i named my daughter after it...but back then we didn't have you tube to look up the lyrics....soooo her name is Aleea lol

[@chefejb1970]

Pittsburgh legend

[@dwaneanderson8039]

One cool thing about this track is that Donnie Iris did ALL the vocals, including all the backing vocals.

[@bobbyashrimp]

I just thought of how this would have made a GREAT song to ride the Himalaya to at the fair back in the day.

[@dougnelsin1480]

This song reminds me of going roller skating and sometimes out parking afterwards. Ha Ha.

[@karlschmitt6359]

Totally forgot about this gem! Great song!

[@LANPartyAnimal]

Donnie Iris and his one hit wonder but what an effort! Classic!

[@davidmortland1274]

Love this song! Saw Donny in 1980 with Cheap Trick.

[@JJ-sv9kh]

What a great song. Got a love that one.

[@1teamski]

A true 80's classic!

[@guidosarducci]

Donnie Iris...good ole Pittsburgh, PA boy...................check out the Jaggerz also........

[@barrymccreary9565]

so many great tunes born in the burgh and surrounding areas

[@goldenagenut]

Wow, I'd forgotten about this one! Good song.

[@charlesburris6314]

Good evening, guys. This one took me back. There were so many acts then who had 1 hit and disappeared. Aldo Nova comes to mind. "Fantasy"...

[@liquidninja6654]

Love this song so much. I can’t stop looking at the guy on the lefts biceps

[@donsavignano4396]

Donnie iris can still belt it out at 78 and still tours. He tour in 2021

[@rodcampbell5766]

Wow I love this song!!!!!

[@pettyguy64]

Donnie had a great scream

[@O_Towne_Bear]

Wow. Never thought anyone would do this song. Cheers! May I suggest some Canadian? Payola$ (any but consider "Hastings Street" as it's about Vancouver) - April Wine - Prism - Tom Cochrane - Gordon Lightfoot and (why not) Stompin Tom - Oh! More Guess Who.

[@commonsense99]

Love it! One of my favorites from the 80s and I still love it!

[@kimbanevile6421]

Make sure she listens to the whole album. It is a complete story.

[@gmama2112]

Luv luv this song omg can listen to it ova n ova lol