Do you remember when rock was young? It was all about youth culture and rebellion against the older generation’s status quo.

Like The Who said in 1965, “I hope I die before I get old.”

But those rockers turned 30, then 40 and 50 and 60 … and 70. And a lot of them just kept going.

So it is with Pittsburgh’s own Donnie Iris and The Cruisers, who will celebrate 40 years since the release of their first album with shows Feb. 1 and 8 in Greensburg’s Palace Theatre.

Joining them will be more grand old men of Steel City rock and roll, Joe Grushecky and The Houserockers.

“If you would have asked me years ago that I would be doing this at 75, I would have (laughed my ass off)! Are you kidding? No way, man, no way,” Iris says.

Fans keep coming

But while many of his contemporaries have embarked on their farewell tours, Iris says, “I’m gonna keep playing as long as the fans keep coming. I feel great, and I really have no idea how long that will be. All I know is that I still look forward to the next show and I’ll keep playing till the wheels fall off.”

Starting in 1980, the band released five albums in quick succession: “Back On The Streets” (1980), “King Cool” (1981), “The High and the Mighty” (1982), “Fortune 410” (1983) and “No Muss No Fuss” (1984). Those platters included radio staples like “Ah! Leah!,” “Love Is Like A Rock” and “Do You Compute.”

Iris and company also played with big names like Journey, Foreigner, Bon Jovi, Eddie Money, Ted Nugent, Joan Jett and others.

They aren’t resting on their laurels, though.

“We have about 6-7 (new) tracks in the can, but with our concentration on live shows, we really haven’t decided when would be a good time to go back into the studio to finish the songs up,” Iris says.

Joe Grushecky and The Houserockers have been busy too.

“We’re going to do an expanded reissue of “Have a Good Time but Get Out Alive,’” Grushecky says. “It’s the 40th anniversary of that album (released when the band went by Iron City Houserockers) and it will be released on Cleveland International with demos and outtakes. The album has been cited as one of the best 100 rock albums of all time. Little Steven (Van Zandt), Mick Ronson and Ian Hunter all had a role in producing it. A new record will follow once that is completed.”

The Houserockers also count Bruce Springsteen among their notable collaborators. They’ve shared a stage with The Boss on numerous occasions and he produced their 1995 album, “American Babylon.”

It’s a joy

No matter who’s on stage, Grushecky says, “It’s a joy to make music with my old friends.”

These days, he’s also making music with his son, guitarist Johnny Grushecky.

“He has become my right hand man and works very hard,” Grushecky says. “He’s concerned about my legacy and it is a joy to share the stage with him. It’s very gratifying, and not many guys can say they get to do that. I’m blessed.

“He’s played with Donnie individually, but to stand on the stage with him will be very meaningful to me as a father,” he says. “Donnie and I have had our success before he was born.”

Looking back over 40 years, Iris says, “Our music means the same to me now as it did when it was recorded. Maybe more. The fact that we still love doing (the songs) after all these years makes me realize how lucky I am to still be thrilled to be able to get out there with the band and keep pounding them out.

“So much has changed. Stars are born from social media. Technology is crazy. Music styles have changed,” he says. “But it seems to me the constant that never fails is songs. Good songs. Songs the audience can relate to. Country, pop, rock, rap, whatever. Good songs move people.”

Will the concerts at The Palace include an all-star jam with both bands?

“If I have my say, there will be, but Donnie is the boss,” Grushecky says.

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