Donnie Iris returning to Greensburg for 79th birthday shows

In February 2018, Donnie Iris played three 75th birthday shows at The Palace Theatre. Two years later, he was back for two more birthday shows.

On the cusp of turning 79, he’s returning to Greensburg for concerts Feb. 5 and 19.

Pittsburgh’s “King of Cool,” who was born Feb. 28, 1943, said he isn’t sure how Greensburg turned into his birthday celebration place.

“I don’t know how that happened, but it’s definitely become a tradition,” he said. “I guess the powers that be thought it would be a good place for me to play. The Palace is a nice place to play — it’s beautiful inside, and there’s not a bad seat in the house.”

Another set of local rock legends, Joe Grushecky and The Houserockers, will open the shows.

Fans of Iris and his band, The Cruisers, should get tickets while they can. They’re not hitting the stage that much these days.

“We’re kind of picking and choosing where we’re playing, and I like it that way,” Iris said. “We’re playing an average of eight to 10 shows a year, just picking the right venues and sticking closer to home. I don’t really want to tour.”

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Since pandemic restrictions lifted on live entertainment venues, Iris said, The Cruisers have played three shows — in July in Youngstown, Ohio; in October at the Roxian Theatre in McKees Rocks; and in December at Jergel’s Rhythm Grille in Warrendale. They have three upcoming Ohio dates.

“After covid, it’s been so nice to get back out there again. It’s been terrible and we just don’t know what’s going to happen, but we’re going to give it everything we have,” he said. “We’ve got our regular show with all the Cruisers intact, so it will be fun.”

Keep going

Iris will dig deep into his 50-year musical history to play hits such as “The Rapper,” “Ah! Leah!” and “Love Is Like a Rock.”

“We’re gonna do the hits and the deep cuts. I love doing the deep cuts,” he said. “A lot of people haven’t heard them, so it’s nice for them to hear some things that were inside the albums that were good. We enjoy playing them, and the die-hard fans know all the words.”

Iris said he isn’t sure if Grushecky will stick to the opening spot or join The Cruisers on stage.

“We might be able to work something out,” he said.

Even if he’s not on stage a lot these days, Iris said, he isn’t planning on giving it up.

“As long as I’m able to perform, I’ll keep going. I don’t know when the day will be when I can’t — I’m sure it’s coming one day — but not now,” he said. “I enjoy it so much. It’s like an addiction, it really is.

“I can’t wait to get up there and play, especially because these days we don’t play that much.”

At some point, there might even be new music.

“We’re actually not thinking much about the studio right now, but we might change our minds somewhere down the road,” Iris said. “We’ve got some songs in the can that we’ve worked on already, but we’re just not in the mood to go finish them right now.”

Tickets to The Palace shows are $32-$79.50, with a limited number of 79th birthday tickets available for $20.22. For details, call 724-836-8000 or visit thepalacetheatre.org.