Bios / Discography 

        the band:
        John Rzeznik - vocals and guitar
        Robby Takac  - bass and vocals
        Mike Malinin - drums

    released albums:
        1987 - Goo Goo Dolls (first release)
        1989 - Jed
        1990 - Hold Me Up
        1993 - Superstar Car Wash
        1995 - A Boy Named Goo
        1998 - Dizzy Up The Girl

highlights:	JOHN'S BIO as told by HIMSELF in an interview!! (click here)
	JOHN and the cliché of the poor boy who made it (click here)
	JOHN RZEZNIK - a role model's quotes  (click here)

Whatever else one might think of the Goo Goo Dolls, no one can say the band hasn't paid its dues. Formed in the mid '80s, the group hovered at the fringes of commercial success for more than a decade while it slowly built a cult following and garnered moderate critical acclaim. From the start, the Goos leaned toward a hyper-kinetic power-pop style that — in the group's early years, especially — contrasted with prevailing music of the day. Interestingly, even when the band finally struck platinum, the success was generated not through its stock-in-trade guitar rave-ups, but rather through a bit of polished acoustic balladry........

The group's beginnings can be traced to Buffalo, New York, where, in 1985, a cousin of Johnny Rzeznik introduced the fledgling guitarist to Robby Takac. The two became fast friends and, after recruiting a school chum George Tutuska to play drums, decided to form their own group.

Dubbing themselves the Sex Maggots, the band began playing clubs in and around Buffalo. The trio soon settled upon the more benign name of Goo Goo Dolls, a phrase they culled from an ad in the back pages of True Detective magazine.

Released in 1987 and 1989, respectively, the Goo Goo Dolls' first two albums, their self-named debut and Jed, mixed the band's own songs with a smattering of irreverent covers. Those albums generated a critical buzz, but it was the Goos' 1990 effort, Hold Me Up, which elevated them beyond a status as "promising band" and made them a force to be reckoned with, at least on the alternative scene.

Released in 1993, the group's next album, Superstar Car Wash, followed a similar musical course. Despite receiving critical raves, Superstar Car Wash sold only modestly, and Rzeznik began contemplating a change of career.

Though slow getting out of the gate, the Goo Goo Dolls' next release, 1995's A Boy Named Goo, eliminated any inclination Rzeznik might've felt to seek other employment. Thanks to heavy airplay by the influential rock station, KROQ, a beautiful ballad from the album, titled "Name," began stirring interest first in L.A., and subsequently in the rest of the country. Listener response was dramatic and within a year, the Goo Goo Dolls had a platinum album on their hands.

Happy as the band was at its good fortune, the sudden success brought its own brand of pain and controversy. First, in the weeks just prior to the release of A Boy Named Goo, Rzeznik and Takac replaced drummer George Tutuska, feeling that he was involved in too many extraneous pursuits. Mike Malinin, a long-time fan of the group, quickly replaced Tutuska.

As the Goo Goo Dolls approached the making of their next album, Rzeznik found himself in the throes of a writer's block. The problem lifted, however, when the Goos' frontman was asked to write a song for an upcoming movie, titled City of Angels. After attending a screening of the film, Rzeznik went home and came up with the poignant ballad, "Iris." The biggest single of 1998 for Warner Music, "Iris" became the Goo Goo Dolls' second No. 1 hit, and helped kindle anticipation for the band's next full-length album.

In September of 1998, fans were treated to Dizzy up the Girl, which, like "Iris," has since gone platinum. Next on the horizon for the band was a lot of successful touring in the US, Japan, Australia and Europe, where they proved their qualities in front of an enthusiastic audience for the first time (I hope they come back to Germany soon for another few shows....).

Through all the success and ensuing visibility, the Buffalo natives remain humble. Although "Iris" garnered three 1999 Grammy nominations — for Record of the Year, Song of the Year, and Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal — Reznik insists the roots from whence the Goo Goo Dolls came is still his biggest source of pride.

"I'm most proud of the fact the Goo Goo Dolls wasn't put together by a producer or a record company guy," he said in a recent interview with Australian magazine Sanity, "but by three kids in college wanting to make some noise, hang out, and have some fun. Right now, I think the band's playing stronger than it ever has, and I'm real excited about the future."