Goo Goo Dolls
Goo Goo Dolls are a modern rock band, formed in 1986. They are perhaps most famous for the hit Iris, featured on the soundtrack to the 1998 film City of Angels. Currently, the band consists of three members:
- Johnny Rzeznik - Vocals, guitar (Founding member)
- Robby Takac - Vocals, bass (Founding member)
- Mike Malinin - Drums (Hired in 1995, made official member in 1998)
Background
Founded in Buffalo, New York, the Goo Goo Dolls initially consisted of John Rzeznik, Robby Takac, and George Tutuska, and were known as the "Sex Maggots." The band changed their name to the Goo Goo Dolls (the name was picked out from an ad in a True Detective magazine) at the request of a local club owner who refused to let them play otherwise. They were signed early on by Metal Blade Records and they released their self-titled debut album in 1987.
In their early career, they were often dismissed by critics as Replacements wannabes. While they were embraced by college radio and the local Punk scene, especially after the release of their third album, Hold Me Up (1990), it was not until 1995, when their single "Name" (from the album A Boy Named Goo) hit the airwaves that the Goo Goo Dolls realized commercial success at last. After a lengthy legal battle with Metal Blade records over royalties that were being withheld from the band, the Goos switched to Metal Blade's parent company, Warner Brothers. In 1998, "Iris" was released on the City of Angels soundtrack and the Goos were propelled to stardom, as the song stayed on the Billboard charts at number one for 18 weeks and was nominated for three Grammys that year.
Other important people
- George Tutuska, drummer from 1986 to New Year's Eve 1994. He was dismissed and was replaced by Malinin. George had said that he had not received any royalty checks from the albums he had played on, providing a reason as to why he is no longer part of the band.
- Lance Diamond a Buffalo, New York entertainer who has played with GGD live on many occasions, as well as recording with them on the tracks Down On The Corner, Never Take The Place of your Man, My Girl, Do You Believe, and Bitch.
- Nathan December played as a touring guitarist for the Dizzy Up the Girl album tour.
- Dave Schulz also toured with the band on the Dizzy Up The Girl tour. He currently works as a producer and session player in Los Angeles.
- Greg Suran touring guitarist for the Gutterflower tour, working as a session player in Los Angeles.
- Jason Freese touring keyboardist/saxophonoist for the Gutterflower tour, now on tour with Green Day.
- William Howell Was the uncredited A&R scout who helped sign the band to Metal Blade in 1987.
Discography
- Goo Goo Dolls - 1987
- Jed - 1989
- Hold Me Up - 1990
- Superstar Car Wash - 1993
- A Boy Named Goo - 1995
- Certified gold (500,000 copies sold) on 11/16/95
- Certified platinum (1,000,000 copies sold) on 2/8/96
- Certified double-platinum on 7/17/96
- Dizzy Up the Girl - 1998 (featuring Iris)
- Certified gold (500,000 copies sold) on 12/3/98
- Certified platinum (1,000,000 copies sold) on 12/3/98
- Certified double-platinum (2,000,000 copies sold) on 3/24/99
- Certified triple-platinum (3,000,000 copies sold) on 11/10/99
- Ego, Opinion, Art & Commerce - 2001
- Gutterflower - 2002
- Live in Buffalo: July 4th 2004 - 2004
- Title Unknown - 2006
Singles
| Year | Title | Chart positions | Album | |
| US Hot 100 | US Modern Rock | |||
| 1991 | "There You Are" | - | #24 | Hold Me Up |
| 1993 | "We Are the Normal" | - | #5 | Superstar Car Wash |
| 1995 | "Long Way Down" | - | #25 | A Boy Named Goo |
| 1996 | "Name" | #5 | #1 | A Boy Named Goo |
| 1996 | "Only One" | - | - | A Boy Named Goo |
| 1996 | "Naked" | - | #9 | A Boy Named Goo |
| 1998 | "Iris" | #9 | #1 | Dizzy up the Girl |
| 1998 | "Dizzy" | - | #9 | Dizzy up the Girl |
| 1998 | "Slide" | #8 | #1 | Dizzy up the Girl |
| 1999 | "Black Balloon" | #16 | #13 | Dizzy up the Girl |
| 2000 | "Broadway" | #24 | #38 | Dizzy up the Girl |
| 2002 | "Here Is Gone" | #18 | #21 | Gutterflower |
| 2002 | "Big Machine" | #64 | - | Gutterflower |
| 2003 | "Sympathy" | - | - | Gutterflower |
| 2005 | "Give a Little Bit" | #37 | - | Live in Buffalo: July 4, 2004 |
| 2005 | "Better Days" | #36 | - | (Sounds Of The Season: The NBC Holiday Collection) |