Keyboard wizard Mark Avsec had first met Donnie Iris when the pair played together in WILD CHERRY, the Cleveland group that gave the world the hit single 'Play That Funky Music (White Boy)' in the early 70's. Avsec had been a fan of Iris' during the singer's time with THE JAGGERZ (whose own big hit was 'The Rapper').

Prior to rejoining his former band mate, Avsec had been playing with the Cleveland, Ohio outfit BREATHLESS fronted by ex MICHAEL STANLEY BAND member JONAH KOSLEN. Signed to EMI America, BREATHLESS recorded two albums before Koslen split the group. In joining Iris, Mark Avsec brought BREATHLESS drummer Kevin Valentine with him.

A live version of Iris' old JAGGERZ hit 'The Rapper' appeared on a DONNIE IRIS AND THE CRUISERS live promotion album not long after the debut album appeared. The record featured 'The Rapper' plus a handful of songs found on 'Back On The Streets' captured in concert at The Paradise Club in Boston on April 2nd, 1981. Iris and Avsec produced fellow Cleveland artist B.E. TAYLOR's debut album 'Innermission' in 1982

DONNIE IRIS & THE CRUISERS were due to play a show at the Marquee Club in London to promote the 'King Cool' album upon its release in Britain. However, although the record did appear in Britain, the band failed to show and the gig mysteriously cancelled. In the event, Donnie and co would never play in Britain.

'The High And The Mighty' was generally considered to be a rather disappointing follow up to 'King Cool' and would spring up with rapidity in the bargain bins in Britain, despite copies being mint American pressings!

1983's 'Fortune 410' took on a more modern hue, experimenting hugely with keyboards. The title, incidentally, is derived from the make and catalogue number of Iris' trademark spectacles!

410' would be the group's last album for MCA Records as the ensuing 'No Muss, No Fuss' was to appear in 1985 on the independent H.M.E. label.

The group actually recorded an album tentatively titled 'Cruise Control' after 'No Muss, No Fuss', but it was never released due to no record deal being forthcoming. Avsec promptly split to work with MASON RUFFNER on his 'Gypsy Blood' album before the keyboard maestro began work on his CELLARFUL OF NOISE solo project. Avsec released two albums through Columbia using the handle, the first (1985's 'Cellarful Of Noise') co-produced with Kevin Valentine and the second ('Magnificent Obsession' in 1988) involving Donnie Iris and Marty Lee.

With the demise of THE CRUISERS, Valentine and McClain joined former BREATHLESS guitarist Alan Greene and percussionist Rodney Psyka (who adopted the role of vocalist) in AOR outfit THE INNOCENT. This project released an album on the Chicago based Red Label and although quite difficult to obtain at the time of release is now sought after by hardcore NINE INCH NAILS collectors thanks to the presence of a rather young Trent Reznor in a keyboard playing role!

Valentine would enjoy a varied career after THE INNOCENT, playing with THE GODZ, HARLOW, SHADOWKING and CINDERELLA. He also recorded with CELLARFUL OF NOISE and worked on the Jonah Koslen / Michael Stanley collaboration GHOST POETS in 1993.

Coincidentally, Donnie Iris returned that year with the 'Foot Soldiers In The Moonlight' set. The album once more featured the songwriting talents of Mark Avsec, although was not exactly greeted with a great deal of praise from even the most ardent of Donnie's followers.

three years later, in 1997, Iris made a more impressive return to action in a reformed line-up of THE CRUISERS, featuring the original membership, and a brand new album, 'Poletown', reckoned to be the man's best since 'King Cool'.

In 1998 'Live At Nick's Fat City' was released. Recorded over two nights in September 1997 in Pittsburgh, the album was a thirteen track greatest hits package performed by the nucleus of Iris, Avsec and Lee along with bassist Paul Goll and drummer Tommy Rich. DONNIE IRIS AND THE CRUISERS broke a nine year hiatus by releasing new studio album ' Ellwood City', marking the return of original drummer Kevin Valentine, in May 2006. Novelly the record was promoted by a single entitled 'Little Black Dress', the band taking this theme further by announcing that every female fan spotted wearing a little black dress at their June 10th 2006 Chevy Amphitheatre Show in Pittsburgh would be given a unique code to access exclusive music.