Donnie Iris - Ah! Leah! | REACTION

[@Anautistictherapist]

Without fail, this song ALWAYS made me crank up the radio when it came on.

[@itsme_mandyp]

Everytime. Singing loudly.

[@rdmoran1]

Me too! One of my favorite songs ever

[@Anniearchy]

EASILY one of the best of the 1980s!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@beanmchne]

This is one of the first music videos I ever saw on MTV. The early 80s MTV was so fun.

[@dennismyers1014]

His follow-up hit, “Love Is Like A Rock”, was another ‘banger’, and he got his start with The Jaggerz, having written their only hit, 1970’s “The Rapper” - check ‘em both out!✌️

[@Debcatawba]

MSB

[@darrendonahue2797]

Do you Compute? Was a hit that got alot of airplay for awhile too. So he's definitely not a one hit wonder.

[@dingman10able]

Donnie Iris still performs in Pennsylvania and Ohio. He’s around 80 and still sounds great. He puts on a great show every time. He laughs because he’s claimed to be the best screamer in rock history.

[@Coowallsky]

81

[@Debcatawba]

MSB

[@dizastro5437]

Hurts my mind. Dude made great music, but now rock a rocking chair, a tree house, a hammock, idk

[@donnadubyak6504]

Saw Donnie not too long ago. Still rockin

[@AIGeneratedUser]

Luck o the iris next Saturday baby!

[@rebpgh]

Saw Donnie for his 80th Birthday concert and it was great. He could still scream with the best of them. At FRIGGIN' 80 YRS young!!!

[@kentmains7763]

He's got some great pipes, and this is an absolute banger.

[@randynewton832]

Donnie is from Ellwood City PA, my hometown. Donnie is not only a talented musician, but is a really awesome person

[@jaysonmiller4866]

I’ve seen Donnie Iris several times. Still hits all the notes at 81 years old! Going to see him again this year in Pittsburgh around St Patrick’s Day

[@AIGeneratedUser]

Man I really want to go to that as well and it’s at old Bobby Mo we’re moving up in the world! Hahaha

[@kevinryan9919]

As a lifelong Pittsburgher, this song got a TON of airplay back in the day. I was in high school when this came out, and hearing it took me right back there. Great tune… he also had a couple of other songs that were popular locally - Love Is Like A Rock, I Can’t Hear You and Sweet Merilee.

[@donnadubyak6504]

Donnie Iris, King Cool

[@chab1rd155]

Love it!!!❤❤❤

[@karlstruck5297]

Saw him play this in 1981 at market square arena Indianapolis. Donnie Iris, April Wine and Nazareth. Great concert, Donnie sounded exactly like this.

[@psugrad85]

I saw Nazareth with April Wine, but not with Donnie, at the Johnstown War Memorial, back in 1981.

[@kellyb.3600]

Market Square Arena! My 16th birthday concert ❤😂

[@jabreck1934]

After my friend Leah passed away last year… this song made me uncomfortable and sad. but now!!! I embrace the song and celebrate her life!!

[@AmirFazadh]

May your grief be short, but your memories long, friend...

[@donrumgay5200]

Your comment on the sound having a bit of funk vibe…spot on considering Donnie Iris’ previous group “Wild Cherry” was another 1- Hit Wonder with their song “Play that Funky Music”

[@barbarakitt5948]

This was my suggestion for the 1 hit wonder list 😂

[@1939lb]

He joined Wild Cherry after Play that funky.. he has nothing to do with the writing or recording of the record

[@vizzini589]

Those notes Donny hits at the end of the song are insane. Great tune.

[@martyadams4132]

definetly not a 1 hit wonder. Donnie is local hero around Pittsburgh! still out there rocking today, & he can still hit those notes in his early 80s! Lots of awesome songs!

[@kimkovaly2393]

Thanks for reacting to the Pittsburgh legend Donny Iris. Amazing song. Thanks guys!!!! ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@psugrad85]

Donnie just turned 81 on Saturday. I’m in Pittsburgh, and will be seeing him in concert on March 16. Still rocking! Haven’t seen him since the early 90’s, excited to see him again.

[@6strings1pickup12]

He STILL screams like that lol. Donnie is a beast.

[@jamesddr8131]

Being in high school when this came out, its one of the few songs when it comes on the radio I still turn up, not turn off after 44 years of hearing it.

[@jackasswhiskyandpintobeans9344]

This was a big hit when it came out and played heavily on MTV.

[@shenjingbing6021]

Holy cr@p I've not heard this song in 40 years. Awesome!

[@bobbrogley1033]

My man, Donnie Iris. Getting ready to see him live on March 16 at Robert Morris University. Followed this guy since the late '60's.

[@legman1476]

This is one of those songs local radio didn't play enough. I lost it for a few decades and KZbin brought it back into my life. It's a great song capturing the sound of the time period. I hope the guys do "Sweethearts" by Frank E and the Knockouts as one of their one hit wonder choices!

[@legman1476]

Agreed! A cross eyed lead singer with a porn-stache.., in the 80s!!! WTH? But, he sings the heck out of that song and the harmonies and the keyboard solo and the .., oh man, I hope they do that one!@@JustOncexxx

[@jimshoe9519]

Another great one hit wonder was Fantasy by Aldo Nova, about the same time frame as Ah Leah.

[@catserver8577]

Never tired of this song, it's been on my playlist for too many years for me to math right now. Decades.

[@melindadavis920]

Pittsburgh is my hometown. Hangout in the 80’s for teens from my neck of the woods was South Park, PA. Donny performed there in 2011.

[@jesrush]

This. This is my favorite.✌️😊🔥🔥🔥

[@dewdew34]

Donnie just turned 81 ! Always loved this song, something about it . A doo wop singer that evolved to rb, pop to a rocker. Donnie it seems has battled some health issues recently but just announced a March show after saying the the scans are clear ! Awesome news Donnie.

[@Blue-k9p4y]

Donnie is Famous for his AMAZING falsetto range!!!

[@RocknRolla2023]

One of my absolute FAVORITES!!!! Still today!!!!

[@Debcatawba]

I’ve seen Donnie Iris at least five times. He was always an opening act for the Michael Stanley Band, another band you really should check out. Donnie Iris had another pretty big hit here in Cleveland titled Love Is Like A Rock.

[@legman1476]

Michael Stanley Band - "He Can't Love You" Great recall! I hope they review that one too.

[@mikeadair3341]

I still love listening to MSB. I grew up in Youngstown so I was influenced by both Cleveland and Pittsburgh. Of course Michael Stanley band had a Youngstown connection. Agree, would love to hear a reaction to their stuff too.

[@janicereinhard6840]

He lives about 30 miles from me. We see him around sometime. He still performs. If you can get a hold of his song called The Rapper when he played with the Jaggers. Great song.

[@elizabeth-lisa-m2782]

Excellent choice. 😎

[@kenkonwick6660]

Donnie Iris is actually a really good musician. Lots of good stuff here from him. Well worth looking at this well of music

[@kenkonwick6660]

Give "Little Black Dress" a go. It's a mid 2000 song that really cooks

[@tarrakieran2057]

I always thought they said, "But, I need you" not "Ah! Leah!" But, I always thought that the song by Billy Squire, "The Stroke" he said "Snowman, Snowman" not "stroke me, stroke me" this is the reason I lose at Songburst .. or song trivia..I always mess up lyrics!!! You guys rock.. happy to follow the 502! I am shocked he is from the Wild Cherry.. their song is still the best one-hit-wonder from the 70's.. .. keep up posting and I will keep on following- great posts-

[@johnnorman7180]

Now you have to do Wild Cherry 'play that funky music' Donny Iris was their last singer

[@Straydogger]

But Donnie didn't sing the lead on that song.

[@marygoodson4920]

Great song I haven't heard in years. Great driving song!

[@mrg99999]

I've always loved this song!!!

[@laurakali6522]

Love is Like a Rock is a fun one by him.

[@andrewpetik2034]

The guitar solo, as brief as it is, is fire 🔥! Great reaction guys!✌️

[@memorylane7068]

Love Is Like A Rock! Is another badass cut from Donnie. That said, Ah! Leah! is one of the greatest ever!!!

[@rockerforlife194]

I love this song. It's a banger!!! I remember when it came out and hearing it on the radio many, many times! Lots of good times and memories listening to this. GREAT Reaction Guys!

[@jeffmay8139]

I used to be able to hit those high screams when I was a 20-something in the 80s. We'd be driving along with this song on and I'd scream it out and look at my friends' face in shock.

[@jayalexander3356]

I've loved this song since it came out. When I hear it now the nostalgia hits hard. So glad ya'll liked it.

[@alexmarin4245]

One of the best 80's songs and debut albums ever! Unexpected still today! I LOVE IT! GREAT REACTION, GUYS!

[@bethbodee]

Born raised still live in the Burgh. Donnie is 80 & still performs. He’s great!

[@dtilt1]

they had 2 more great songs: "Love is like a rock" and esp. "That's they way love oughta be" which I believe was on the radio. they do cool things with their songs!

[@FeanorLives]

I'm soooo glad you guys did this song. Been wanting to see your reaction to this rock classic. The voice on Donny is soooo crazy good at the end !

[@quinnlafleur6533]

This was my favorite song back in the day when it came out. I could do all the oh oh’s in that section…. My friends thought I was crazy. Love it still in my 60’s.

[@marygoodson4920]

You guys make me smile! Thank you!!!

[@davelegg1490]

Donnie also had a similar song that received some MTV airplay called "Do You Compute". I would think his biggest hit would have been "Love is Like a Rock" which was in regular rotation on MTV. Ah Leah was always my favorite by him. Enjoy!

[@tmr626]

Don't forget Donnie's song "Agnes."

[@westlod]

Yes, do you compute is a really good song

[@bridgetmccracken1381]

Thanks guys for a fun reaction to Donnie!!!

[@douglasw9624]

Classic old tune...thanks to reacting!

[@paulmurphy8993]

Just a perfect 80's banger! Bravo.

[@robertp6458]

Hes still rocking to!

[@mia795]

Love how you both turned into bobble heads at the end! 😂

[@barbarakitt5948]

Nice to start with a tune from a singer from my hometown 🤙🏼 Great reaction!

[@SusanBishop555]

I forgot about this one! Great to hear it again. 😁

[@randycable3806]

Takes me back to my years skating. Nobody would sit through this song. Doin steps looking back seeing 5 or 6 folks doin the steps with you.

[@DanMitchell-le5lb]

Sweet Merilee is a great song too!

[@garanceadrosehn9691]

Donnie is still performing live. Check out some of the videos of "Ah! Leah!" he's done during the 2010's. He starts out with a really slowed down bluesy version, and you think _"Yeah, sure, the guy is in his 70's so he had to slow it down"._ And that slow version does sound excellent. But then he starts to pump up the energy and the speed, and it starts over into being this hard-rocking version, and it is *excellent.* In some of those you really think he's pouring so much energy into those final "Ah Leah!"s that you think he's figuring that he's pouring ever last bit of energy into it.

[@ericwagner1824]

Another One Hit Wonder is the song VEHICLE by Ides of March. Fantastic horns. Many of the group reformed later as Survivor and had the hit from Rocky 3 called Eye of the Tiger

[@robertljazz2796]

Nasty guitar tone in that solo!!!

[@dgator3599]

The music video is great! Always good hearing this song again.

[@Donna185]

I was 20 years old when this came out. I loved it then and havent heard it in years. Excellent reaction guys. I love it!

[@jimroddy6190]

A most excellent start to the March Marathon!!! Keep it going; I'm looking forward to all your picks!

[@derwoodbowen5954]

Got to see him live twice. He played small clubs which was really cool. Got to see a few acts in small clubs. It always hits differently in a small club.

[@DRRwine]

HUGELY underrated pop masterpiece. Love it! I saw him & his band open for Hall & Oates back in the day... King Cool!!!

[@brittanybigelow7299]

I love you both for listening and recognizing the musical genius that is DONNIE IRIS. 🙌🏼😁♥️

[@rubybaby7320]

music is like popcorn or Lay's potato chips - I can't control myself. I'm SO excited you started with this one! I did list over 2 dozen but they all give me the same reaction that this one does! The radio was my life and now, my last sibling having passed a year ago, it's a way to reconnect with the girls from when we were kids. Thank you SO MUCH!!

[@francisedwards4069]

This is NOT the only hit Donnie had. I grew up in Chicago when this was played on the radio.

[@sylvialopez5928]

I remember this song I used to love this back in high school

[@jwine4145]

This song got a lot of play at Purdue my freshman year. It’s been a long time, thanks for the reaction!

[@vickiroman189]

This is been on my play list since it came out on the radio!

[@soniadenison1690]

Our radio stations never played this back in the day. I first heard it a few years ago on a station that played all kinds of music and fell in love with it ❤

[@gailgrimes3365]

great smiles guys..altho hard to not smile when hearing this song....

[@alansmith7626]

That was about as a perfect start that you could wish for--I look forward to the next one! That was FUN! Thanks!

[@susanrombak7959]

This was such a hit in my high school days along with so many other great rock bands. That era was worth living this life! ♥️🤘🏽

[@heatherturner6955]

Dang, I do know this. Only by the chorus the "here we go again". I was a kid - it immediately brought me to my neighborhood, playing outside - someone always had a radio outside as we played. You say it sounds like Queen. Musically I would agree. But it sounds like a typical early 80's power ballad. (The harmonies) Great song anyway you hear it!

[@cynthiamartinez9669]

Loved this reaction!!

[@Topgunphoto]

This song as well as Love is like a Rock were awesome. Roller skating to those two songs back in the early 80's, my GF at the time had a friend who's name was Leah and I always would sing this to her. Love your music selection the last few months. Can't beat the 70's music. Love is Like a Rock hit #37 in the American Top 40, so technically not a 1 hit wonder.

[@Whateva67]

I hadn’t heard this song in probably 30 years but rediscovered it a couple of months ago and I love it.

[@bobthebear1246]

I instantly knew you guys would love this and, yes, this is one of those perfect songs. It's amazing this song is 44 years old this year. It has it all: Hard Rock with a tinge of New Wave, amazing drumming, basswork, guitarwork and keyboard playing, great clean and screamed vocals, and incredible self-harmony. (Donnie Iris multi-tracked his own voice here.) Total banger. One of my favorite songs of all-time; Top 50 easily.

[@TerryMadison-o9o]

King of Wishful Thinking by Go West! Great horn section!

[@MattB-h3n]

For those that may be interested, a western Pennsylvania newspaper did an investigative piece in the early 2000s to identify the "Leah" that was the inspiration for the song's title. According to The Beaver County Times, the song was called "Ah! Leah!" for a woman named Leah Frankford, even though the song was not specifically about her. Apparently, Frankford dated the drummer of Iris' group The Jaggerz in the late 1960s and the first name of his bandmate's girlfriend stuck in Iris' head over the years. In a twist, newspaper reporter Scott Tady wrote that it was not until the late 1990s that Iris and Frankford caught up with each other after many years. Apparently, Iris was running a business at the time and his girlfriend, who was in the same field, became friends with another woman in that same field. The friend of Iris' girlfriend just happened to have a mother named "Leah" and the connection was made. As per Tady's article, "Leah" is known as one of the more popular girl's names in that region since Iris' song came out. Well, friends. If that was the first reaction for the "one hit wonder" marathon, we may all want to get our drinks and snacks now for the musical journey ahead before the next song is posted. 😂

[@laurenpeck3609]

This song always puts me in a better mood 🔥🔥🔥

[@goosefarm3602]

one of my favorite songs ever

[@maureenwagg5305]

You need to check out those old K-Tel record collections lol. All the hits are on those LP's (records for those who don't know vinyl).

[@karlschmitt6359]

I recall this song and that I liked it, but it took me awhile to remember it because I haven't really heard it in a long time! This was released in 1980, I was 15, and I believe this was a one hit wonder, but I'm not 100% sure? I love the sound and that it was different than anything I had heard before. The guitars, lead vocals,and backing vocals sound amazing! Great song, thank you for bringing this out from the archives, dusting it off, and resurrecting this gem! I will admit that this video, not all 80's videos, is quite cheesy! I love cheese!

[@that70s_gamer96]

He had another single " Love is Like A Rock" that charted almost as high as this.

[@karlschmitt6359]

@@that70s_gamer96 thank you

[@robscott9414]

High-end car audio was invented for this. 180w amp, 12-band EQ, and 4x Pioneers. Yeah, baby... ready for summer cruising!

[@ericwagner1824]

Love is Like a Rock from Donnie Iris is worth a listen

[@buckdraper303]

Had this album in high school... it kicked ass

[@anibalbabilonia1867]

Man believe it or not! I still have this album in “cassette” Donnie Iris was ahead of time! You guy’s should listen to his other big hit! “Do you compute!”👌😎👍 He’s still active with his band in his 80s.

[@mikeroche9986]

The 80s have a TON of one hit wonders. After the Fire - Der Kommissar”, Thomas Dolby - “She Blinded Me With Science” (the long 5:07 version is the best), Taco - “Puttin’ On the Ritz”, Gary Numan - “Cars” (btw Fear Factory does a cool rock/metal version of this song), M - “Pop Muzik”, Devo - “Whip It”, Musical Youth - “Pass the Dutchie”, Michael Sembello - “Maniac”, Lipps Inc. - “Funkytown”, Men Without Hats - “Safety Dance” (the Extended dance mix, not the 3 minute version), T’Pau - “Heart & Soul”, etc. There’s just so many out there.

[@L1623VP]

Yes, there were a ton of one-hit wonders. John Cafferty and the Beaver Brown Band - "On the Dark Side", Toni Basil - "Mickey", The Whispers - "Rock Steady", Adam Ant - "Goody Two Shoes", Dexy's Midnight Runners - "Come On, Ilene", S.O.S Band - "Take Your Time Do It Right", Jodi Whatley - "Look'in for a New Love", Tommy Tutone - "Jenny, 867-5309", Soft Cell - "Tainted Love", Madness - "Our House", Corey Hart - "Sunglasses at Night", The Buggles - "Video Killed the Radio Star", Frankie and the Knockouts - "Sweetheart", Loverboy - "Working for the Weekend", John Farnham - "You're the Voice", Spandau Ballet - "True", Laura Branigan - "Gloria", Oxo - "Turning Japanese", Bobby McFarren - "Don't Worry, Be Happy", The Honeydrippers - "Sea of Love", Katrina and the Waves - "Walking on Sunshine," Robbie Neville - "C'est La Vie", Tracy Ullman - "They Don't Know", Charlene - "I've Never Been to Me", Stanley Clark - "Sweet Baby", Lee Ritenour - "Is It You?', etc. etc. I'd love to see them do "Sweetheart", "On the Dark Side", and "C'est La Vie". Those are three of the best.

[@mikeroche9986]

@@L1623VPLoverboy was not a one hit wonder band :)

[@sirhoopalot1]

Devo a one-hit wonder?

[@sirhoopalot1]

@@L1623VP Loverboy, Madness, Spandau Ballet, SOS Band are not one-hit wonders. "Turning Japanese" is by The Vapors.

[@L1623VP]

@@mikeroche9986 In the U.S. pretty much. Being Canadian, they had much bigger success there. Aside from Working for the Weekend, almost no one knows their other songs.

[@mikeroche9986]

If you guys ever come back to Fleetwood Mac, can you PLEASE do “Hypnotized”? It came out in ‘73 before Buckingham and Nicks joined the group. This was played alot on classic rock stations. I think you guys will love it!

[@gailjohnson5950]

I have been requesting Hypnotized from 5 or 6 different reaction channels, only one of them have played it, and they LOVED it, just like we do!!

[@amyboone125]

Hypnotized is Fleetwood Macs BEST song!

[@dranet47]

Love is Like a Rock is SO good, and so is I Can't Hear You. Another one is Do You Compute, but it didn't age well. lol Still, it really shows off how good his voice is.

[@LarryEColeman]

So many great songs on this album. Thanks, guys.

[@garytom1935]

Good jam yeah, I remember him on the radio playing 📻👌😀🤘🎤

[@joes2514]

Been on my playlist since before playlists existed.