Donnie Iris and the Cruisers with Special Guest Jonah Koslen
Category: Event Calendar
Date and Time for this Past Event
- Friday, Aug 16, 2024 7:30pm
Location
Akron Civic Theatre
182 S Main St
Details
Pittsburgh icon Donnie Iris learned how to sing from his Mother and then from Tony Bennett and Marvin Gaye. In 1970, as a member of the Jaggerz, Donnie earned a gold record for writing and singing the No. 1 song “The Rapper.”
In or around 1978, Donnie was asked to join “Wild Cherry” (“Play That Funky Music, White Boy”) in the group’s waning days. Donnie met Mark Avsec, his future collaborator and partner, in “Wild Cherry” and the two of them began discussing plans for a recording project.
Beachwood, Ohio native Jonah Koslen has been active in the music business as a composer, a producer and a performer, since 1973. As the original member of the Michael Stanley Band, Jonah wrote and recorded some of MSB"s most loved songs, "Waste a Little Time On Me", "Strike Up The Band", "Nothings Gonna Change My Mind" and "Ladies Choice". Jonah contributed lead guitar, lead vocals and arrangements to the first three MSB albums and numerous compilations. His song, "Nothings Gonna Change My Mind" charted nationally in the summer of 1977.
