Recently, I found a video that I didn't even know existed...and I'm so ashamed because the song is practically Pittsburgh's city anthem. This is the 'Burgh's favorite son, Donnie Iris with his one big solo hit, "Ah! Leah!"
I don't ever remember seeing this video on MTV, and it came out in 1981 when MTV just started and needed all the videos they could get. Of course, I don't think I even got MTV until around '84 or '85, so that could explain it. Still, in all the years since then I never saw it until I mistakenly stumbled upon it on YouTube just a couple of days ago. I guess Donnie didn't exactly fit in with all the pretty-boy video stars, with the whole Buddy Holly-meets-Orville Redenbacher thing he had going on. And, faced with it now, it's easy to see why this video didn't get much play. It's pretty awful! Still, the boy could sing. He still can. In fact, if I make a trip home this summer, I'm sure I can catch him playing at the Regatta or one of the many rib festivals. Ah! Ribs!
I don't ever remember seeing this video on MTV, and it came out in 1981 when MTV just started and needed all the videos they could get. Of course, I don't think I even got MTV until around '84 or '85, so that could explain it. Still, in all the years since then I never saw it until I mistakenly stumbled upon it on YouTube just a couple of days ago. I guess Donnie didn't exactly fit in with all the pretty-boy video stars, with the whole Buddy Holly-meets-Orville Redenbacher thing he had going on. And, faced with it now, it's easy to see why this video didn't get much play. It's pretty awful! Still, the boy could sing. He still can. In fact, if I make a trip home this summer, I'm sure I can catch him playing at the Regatta or one of the many rib festivals. Ah! Ribs!
Comments
That casting director didn't choose the girl very well. She makes him look so.damn.small.
I love this song, it was just popped in the IPod shuffle last week, hadn't heard it in a long time.
I guess someone had to make late-seventies vintage Elvis Costello look cool...
Donnie Iris was also the singer for the Jaggerz, who had a hit in the '70's with the song "The Rapper."
"The Jaggerz" is such a great Pittsburgh name. It goes with our phrase "jagging your wires" or "just jagging," which basically means "joking." I've caught myself saying this to non-Pittsburghers and they always look at me like I have three heads.