King Cool

King Cool is the second album by Donnie Iris, released in 1981. The album was reissued in remastered form on CD in 2021 by Rock Candy Records with a live bonus track from the 1981 Live EP.

King Cool
Studio album by Donnie Iris and the Cruisers
Released	August 1981
Recorded	Summer 1981 at Jeree Studios in New Brighton, PA
Genre	Rock
Label	MCA
Producer	Mark Avsec
Donnie Iris and the Cruisers chronology
Back on the Streets (1980) King Cool (1981) The High and the Mighty (1982)
Singles from King Cool
"Sweet Merilee" Released: October 1981 "Love Is Like a Rock" Released: December 1981 "My Girl" Released: March 1982

Professional ratings

Review scores
Source	Rating
AllMusic

Track listing

Side one

1. "Sweet Merilee" (Avsec, Iris) - 3:37
2. "The Promise" (Lee) - 4:06
3. "Pretender" (Avsec, Iris) - 5:15
4. "Love Is Like a Rock" (Avsec, Iris, Lee, McClain, Valentine) - 3:35
5. "That's the Way Love Ought to Be" (Avsec, Iris) - 4:19

Side two

1. "My Girl" (Avsec, Iris) - 3:59
2. "Broken Promises" (Avsec, Iris) - 4:21
3. "King Cool" (Avsec, Iris) - 4:05
4. "Color Me Blue" (Avsec, Iris) - 5:19
5. "The Last to Know" (Avsec, Iris) - 5:19

2021 remastered CD reissue

1. "Sweet Merilee" - 3:42
2. "The Promise" - 4:08
3. "Pretender" - 5:14
4. "Love Is Like a Rock" - 3:38
5. "That's the Way Love Ought to Be" - 4:23
6. "My Girl" - 4:00
7. "Broken Promises" - 4:19
8. "King Cool" - 4:07
9. "Color Me Blue" - 5:20
10. "The Last to Know" - 5:21
11. "Shock Treatment (Live)" - 4:44

Personnel

Donnie Iris and the Cruisers

• Donnie Iris - lead and background vocals
• Mark Avsec - piano, organ, synthesizers, glockenspiel, background vocals
• Marty Lee Hoenes - guitars and background vocals
• Albritton McClain - bass guitar and background vocals
• Kevin Valentine - drums and percussion

Additional musicians

• Kenny Blake - saxophone

Production

• Executive Producer: Carl Maduri
• Producer: Mark Avsec
• Engineer: Jerry Reed
• Mixed by Michael Barbiero at Mediasound Studios, New York

Chart positions

Album - Billboard (United States)

Year	Chart	Position
1981	Top LPs & Tape	84

Singles - Billboard (United States)

Year	Single	Chart	Position
1981	"Sweet Merilee"	Billboard Hot 100	80
		Top Rock Tracks	31
1982	"Love Is Like a Rock"	Billboard Hot 100	37
		Top Rock Tracks	9
	"My Girl"	Billboard Hot 100	25