"Ah! Leah!" was Donnie Iris' (given name: Dominic Ierac) first solo hit, but he had an interesting career before that. He started as the lead singer of The Jaggerz, who had a huge hit in 1970 with "The Rapper." After The Jaggerz broke up, Iris was asked to join Wild Cherry, who were popular based on their 1976 hit "Play That Funky Music." And after Wild Cherry broke up, Iris went out on his own with Mark Avsec, the keyboard player for Wild Cherry.
Iris' first album, 1980's Back on the Streets, went to #57 on the charts, while "Ah! Leah!" hit #29. Iris would go on to have 5 more charting singles, including two more top 40 hits through 1985, so there is no one hit wonder story here. However, legal problems with his record label prevented any new material from being released from 1985 through 1992, which effectively ended Iris' mainstream popularity. Even so, Iris (and Avsec) continue to record and perform to the present day.
Cool trivia fact: The actress in the "Ah! Leah!" video is rumored to be Joanna Lumley, who became famous as Patsy Stone in the BBC comedy Absolutely Fabulous.
I really doubt that the girl is Joanna Lumley. Yes, there is a strong resemblance, but she is sufficiently distinct that I doubt.
ReplyDeletePgh girl. I've seen Donnie dozens of times, have all the DRs & still can't ever get enough. Last time, I saw hin was in Phoenix at Harrold"s Coral. The biggest Stteeler bar in the area. He flew in to do a benefit conncert for former Pittsburgh Steeler, Mel Blount's boystown. The night before the latest game against the AZ Cardnals
ReplyDeleteJoanna Lumley may have been older at that time. this vid was done about 1980...when i look up Joanna on google pics she has modeling pics from mid 60s. i thought she may have looked like Shannon Tweed which was around musicians back then being with Gene Simmons and also being a play boy bunny. does look a lot like her.
ReplyDeleteJoanna Lumley ?
ReplyDeleteNah. I would go with English-born Canadian Kim Cattrall. She was doing music video acting in these pre-Porky days. It would be interesting if someone could verify.
I believe it was Dian Parkinson, long term model on "The Price Is Right" show-
ReplyDeletewho favors Lumley somewhat-- https://www.realtor.com/news/celebrity-real-estate/former-price-is-right-model-dian-parkinson-lists-westlake-village-home/
Donnie Iris? Could be Eugene Levy.
DeleteGreat point - I'm not sure that Donnie Iris and Eugene Levy have ever been at the same place at the same time. Coincidence? You make the call.
DeleteMost likely was Barbra Crampton. She would be approximately the right age at the time.
ReplyDeleteWe haven't been able to find anything definitive over the past eight years, it is a mystery. If I had to guess, I would suggest that the actress is not someone who went on to fame, but honestly, who knows?
DeleteDefinitely looks like Dian Parkinson one of Barkers (Bob Barker) models on the Price Is Right
ReplyDeleteThere is a real "Leah". The song started out as an anti war song, but they came up with the backing hook of "Ah Leah" and they realized that it was a woman's name. So ditched the anti war lyrics and came up with a love song angle. As for the real Leah, Donnie had an ex girlfriend named Leah Frankford. If you Google you'll find her. It didn't start out as a song about her, but ended up being about her.
ReplyDelete