The Goo Goo Dolls

Members: Johnny Rzeznik, Robby Takac, Mike Malinin

Active: 1985-present

The Goo Goo Dolls is an alternative rock band that formed in 1985 in Buffalo, New York by guitarist/vocalist Johnny Rzeznik and bassist/vocalist Robby Takac. They are perhaps most famous for the hit "Iris," featured on the soundtrack to the 1998 film City of Angels.

HISTORY

Founded in Buffalo, New York in 1986 by guitarist/vocalist Johnny Rzeznik and bassist/vocalist Robby Takac, the Goo Goo Dolls, who were then known as the "Sex Maggots" for two days, initially consisted of the two founders and George Tutuska on drums. 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 originally signed on by Metal Blade Records, and they released their debut eponymous album in 1987.

While they were embraced by college radio and the local punk scene (Playing such venues as CBGB's), especially after the release of their third album, Hold Me Up (1990), it was not until 1995, with the release of their single "Name," from the album A Boy Named Goo, that the Goo Goo Dolls experienced any commercial success. Their mainstream success, however, was bittersweet as they faced a lengthy legal battle with Metal Blade Records over royalties that were being withheld from the band; hence, the Goos eventually 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. The song was also included on their sixth album, "Dizzy Up the Girl," which was released that same year and spawned the hits "Slide," "Iris," "Black Balloon," "Broadway," and "Dizzy." In 2001, the Goos released their first ever compilation CD, What I Learned About Ego, Art, Opinion and Commerce. Gutterflower (2002) achieved certified gold, producing the hits "Here Is Gone," "Sympathy" and "Big Machine." 2004 saw the release of the Goo's Live in Buffalo: July 4th 2004 which propelled "Give a little bit" soar to #1. In 2006, the Goo Goo Dolls marked their 20th anniversary with their new cd, "Let Love In" which included the studio recording of "Give A Little Bit" as well as other radio singles, "Better Days" and "Stay With You."

ALBUMS

1987 - Goo Goo Dolls Metal Blade

1989 - Jed Metal Blade

1990 - Hold Me Up Metal Blade

1993 - Superstar Car Wash Warner Bros.

1995 - A Boy Named Goo Warner Bros. Double Platinum

1998 - Dizzy Up the Girl Warner Bros. Triple Platinum

2001 - What I Learned About Ego, Opinion, Art & Commerce Warner Bros.

2002 - Gutterflower Warner Bros. Gold

2004 - Live in Buffalo: July 4th 2004 Warner Bros.

2006 - Let Love In Warner Bros.

SINGLES

1991 - "There You Are" - Hold Me Up

1993 - "We Are the Normal" - Superstar Car Wash

1995 - "Only One" - A Boy Named Goo

1995 - "Name" - A Boy Named Goo

1995 - "Flat Top" - A Boy Named Goo

1996 - "Naked" - A Boy Named Goo

1996 - "Long Way Down" - A Boy Named Goo

1997 - "Lazy Eye" - Batman & Robin Original Soundtrack

1998 - "Slide" - Dizzy Up the Girl

1998 - "Iris" - Dizzy Up the Girl

1999 - "Dizzy" - Dizzy Up the Girl

1999 - "Black Balloon" - Dizzy Up the Girl

2000 - "Broadway" - Dizzy Up the Girl

2002 - "Here Is Gone" - Gutterflower

2002 - "Big Machine" - Gutterflower

2003 - "Sympathy" - Gutterflower

2005 - "Give a Little Bit" - Live in Buffalo

2005 - "Better Days" - Let Love In

2006 - "Stay With You" - Let Love In