Welcome to episode 140 of the Rock Interview Series, recorded February 17th, 2026.
For this feature, we catch up with singer, songwriter, and guitarist Donnie Vie — the original voice and longtime creative force behind Enuff Z’Nuff. Donnie recently signed with Little Steven Van Zandt’s Wicked Cool Records, where his 2019 album Beautiful Things is getting a proper re‑release. His new 7-inch single, Plain Jane, backed with a cover of John Lennon’s Instant Karma, is out now.
One of the most revealing parts of our conversation centered around Donnie’s brief onstage reunion with Chip Z’Nuff — a moment that took place on September 14, 2025, at the Illinois Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony. It marked the first time the two shared a stage in years.
“It was bittersweet,” Donnie said. “It was a great moment because of being acknowledged in the Illinois Rock and Roll Hall of Fame… that’s where we come from, and to get that acknowledgement and that validation, that’s pretty cool.”
The pair performed just two songs, but the emotional temperature was unmistakable.
“He didn’t want to be… that’s his thing now,” Donnie explained, referring to Chip’s current role fronting Enuff Z’Nuff. “He had to move over to the co‑pilot seat again for the night, and he wasn’t feeling that. And I wasn’t feeling it ’cause I wasn’t feeling any love or energy coming my way.”
Still, Donnie views the night as a meaningful final chapter.
“It was a good way to finally close the door, go out on a higher note,” he said. “Not by my doings… If an opportunity arose where it made sense, I’d be open to doing it. But I wouldn’t hold your breath.”
Where Donnie is focused now is on something far more empowering: regaining control of the band’s legacy. After years of complicated deals and lost rights, Donnie now has full ownership of his solo catalog, and he and Chip share ownership of the Enuff Z’Nuff material they created together.
“All of the publishing, all of the songs, the entire catalog, all my solo songs, all the Enuff songs — everything back in my possession,” Donnie said. He clarified that his solo songs are entirely his, while the Enuff Z’Nuff catalog is shared because of their long co‑writing and co‑publishing history.
Chip recently reissued the band’s debut through Cleopatra Records, but Donnie isn’t rushing into any reissue plans of his own.
“It’s not on the forefront of my mind right now,” he said. “I’m glad to have it back… if anything did happen, I have control of what happens to it now.”
With a new label behind him, new music on the way, and ownership of both his solo work and his share of the Enuff Z’Nuff legacy, Donnie Vie is stepping into a new era — one built on freedom, clarity, and finally, control.
Get the new single! -“Plain Jane” https://orcd.co/donnievieplainjanercd.co And Plain Jane 7 Inch from Donnie Vie donnievie.bandcamp.com https://orcd.co/donnievieplainjane
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Thomas S. Orwat Jr.
RockMusicStar.com 
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