 While attending Slippery Rock State College, now known as Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania, Donnie Iris (birth name Dominic Ierace) started a band called the Tri-Vels.The band became known as Donnie and the Donnells when the line up increased from three members to four.Shortly after dropping out of college, Iris found out that a band called Gary and the Jewel Tones, of which Jimmie Ross was a member, needed a new guitarist.