Grammy Award-winning bassist David Ellefson is closing out the year with a special holiday surprise: a vibrant and reimagined version of the 1980s classic Ah! Leah! by legendary singer-songwriter Donnie Iris.
This fresh take on the iconic track boasts an all-star lineup. Joining Ellefson are vocalists Chip Z’nuff (Enuff Z’nuff) and Stephen Shareaux (Kik Tracee), Drew Fortier (The Lucid) on guitar, and Paolo Caridi on drums. The new rendition, brimming with talent and nostalgia, is now available across all digital platforms.
Reflecting on the project, Ellefson shared, “The skinny tie alternative rock movement of the early ’80s was such a fun and creative era for music. Ah! Leah! Was not only a massive FM radio hit; it’s a hauntingly beautiful song with an unforgettable melody and lyric. Alongside acts like Aldo Nova, The Greg Kihn Band, Joe Jackson and The Cars, this was a transformative time for rock music that shaped me as a young musician. This rendition brings together an amazingly talented group of friends and musicians to create a really cool version of this classic, setting a creative tone for the holiday season!”
Chip Z’nuff added his thoughts on the collaboration, “Anytime I get the opportunity to work with heavyweights on a classic 1980s hit, I sonically attack with as much reflection and intent as possible. David Ellefson picked an incendiary track with Donnie Iris Ah! Leah!, which is the perfect combination of pop meets metal in 2025!”
With Ellefson’s knack for reinvention and a stellar team of musicians, this reimagined Ah! Leah! is sure to resonate with fans of the original while introducing its magic to a new generation.
