The Jaggerz

by Jason AnkenyBest known for their 1970 smash The Rapper, the Jaggerz were formed in Pittsburgh during the mid-1960s by singer/guitarist Dominic Ierace, guitarist Benny Faiella, bassists Jimmy Ross and Billy Maybray, keyboardist Thom Davies and drummer Jim Pugliano. After earning a fervent following on the local club circuit, the group ultimately signed to Kenny Gamble and Leon Huffs label Gamble Records to issue their 1969 debut LP Introducing the Jaggerz; when the record tanked, the band signed to Kama Sutra for 1970s We Went to Different Schools Together, falling just shy of topping the charts with The Rapper. The single was the Jaggerz lone chart hit, however, and they were soon reduced to again hitting the local club scene. After one final LP, 1975s Come Again, the group disbanded; frontman Ierace then changed his name to Donnie Iris and joined Wild Cherry, scoring a major disco-era hit with Play that Funky Music before going on to mount a solo career.