Every now and then a classic rocker has to come along and show the young kids how it’s done. Last night, in Canton Ohio, Donnie Iris and the Cruisers made the trip over from Pittsburgh and reminded all in attendance why the
Before we barrel into Donnie and the boys though – I have got to dedicate a paragraph to the opening band. The Vindy’s hail from Youngstown Ohio and it seems I may have pretty much been the only person in the audience who hadn’t heard of them but, consider me among the newly informed – and a whole lot more of you need to jump on this bandwagon.
Lead singer Jackie Popovec grabbed the audience with the first note out of her mouth and proceeded to knock the crowd on its collective ass throughout the bands tight, precise and wonderfully performed opening set. Backed by a full horn section – to exclaim that The Vindy’s impressed would be an understatement of extreme proportions. I apologize as I did not write down the bands set list but – wow, just wow. I’m going to do something I don’t normally do but you all need to seek this band out so – if you’re in the NEO area – CLICK HERE for where the band is playing soon and then find the time to check out one of their shows. The Vindy’s are the real deal and you should check them out sooner than later.
The openers did their job and the crowd was already on its feet chanting for Donnie as the crew switched out the stage but before long, the lights dimmed and one of North East Ohio’s adopted sons took the stage. The area I was born and have chosen to grow old has had a long time love affair with certain musicians – MSB, Southside Johnny, Bruce, and Donnie Iris and The Cruisers have never failed to pack in a crowd – anywhere they play and anytime they show up. MSB and Donnie Iris at one time – and may still to this day as far as I know – hold attendance records at Blossom Music Center and based on the size of the crowd that showed up on this rainy Saturday night in Canton – the band’s fan base has not decreased.
Opening the show with the “when good love goes bad” classic Agnes – Iris and the band quickly pulled the crowd to their feet but – it was that first time that Donnie let loose with that classic scream – and if you’ve ever heard it, you know what I’m talking about – it was with that first scream of the evening, during their performance of the old MTV standby Do You Compute that the audience went all in. Iris is an amazing performer and while age should not and most definitely IS NOT an issue – you can’t help but be impressed that he can still hit those notes at 76 years old. He’s a freaking force of nature. Not only is it impressive, but it’s also downright inspirational.
The next two hours brought a tour through the bands 40-year parade of rock and roll classics. Sweet Merilee, That’s The Way Love Ought To Be, This Time It Must Be Love, Tough World, I Can’t Hear You – and with each song, the crowd grew more appreciative and interactive but it hit fever pitch with Love Is Like A Rock and then the roof officially blew off with the opening chords of Ah Leah – which began with an amazing “slowed down” introduction before launching into Iris’s vocal gymnastics.
Yes, Northeast Ohio has a love affair with Donnie Iris and The Cruisers and I’m happy to be able to tell you that the relationship is still strong and healthy some 40 years later.
