John rzeznik
Official Rules: In Depth with Graham Bensinger Signed Goo Goo Dolls Guitar Contest
Goo Goo Dolls frontman John Rzeznik sits down with Graham Bensinger to reflect on his remarkable journey from a troubled childhood to more than three decades of international stardom. Rzeznik opens up about losing both parents at a young age, enduring bullying, and battling alcohol addiction. Graham also joins the rock star for a hometown tour of Buffalo, New York, visiting his former high school, getting a sneak peek at a new Goo Goo Dolls exhibit at the Buffalo History Museum, and learning how to make the perfect Buffalo wing. Graham also joins John backstage as he prepares for a concert.
john rzeznik
CLIPS
Goo Goo Dolls’ John Rzeznik blasts modern songwriting: “Art by consensus is garbage”
Goo Goo Dolls lead singer John Rzeznik reflects on his songwriting process, saying some songs come easily, and others – like the band’s hit, ‘Broadway,” sit for years while they get fine-tuned. Rzeznik shares why he’s building his own music studio and blasts some elements of modern songwriting, saying art by consensus is “garbage.”
Goo Goo Dolls’ John Rzeznik hates the thing that made “Iris” huge again
John Rzeznik peels back the curtain on his writing process for the Goo Goo Dolls’ mega-hit, “Iris.” He recounts his struggles with writer’s block and speaks on his complicated relationship with social media, which he hates, but acknowledges that it has helped catapult “Iris” to new heights.
Goo Goo Dolls’ John Rzeznik reveals the cost of fame: “It gets lonely”
Goo Goo Dolls frontman Johnny Rzeznik opens up about his marriage and subsequent divorce from his first wife, Laurie Farinacci, stating that it became an “untenable situation.” He admits that he’s had trouble keeping friends because he is afraid to be vulnerable and reveals how heartbreaking it is to have to be away from his daughter all the time for work.
Goo Goo Dolls’ John Rzeznik on the blackout that made him get sober
Goo Goo Dolls founder and lead singer John Rzeznik opens up about his lifelong struggles with alcoholism, recalling that he once laughed in his wife’s face after she gave him an ultimatum. He recounts how he decided to check into a rehab facility after blacking out and waking up in a trashed hotel room next to a guy he’d met only the night prior, and how it took him 15 years of trying to get to reach one year sober.
John Rzeznik opens up about his painful childhood, forgiving his dad
Goo Goo Dolls lead singer John Rzeznik opens up about his traumatic childhood, recounting his father’s alcoholism and his parents’ constant fighting. He speaks about losing his parents by age 16 and how his childhood has made him commit to being somebody that his daughter can see as a hero.
Goo Goo Dolls’ John Rzeznik: Why I want my daughter to struggle a little bit
John Rzeznik opens up about his tenuous relationship with money, stating that he is terrified of screwing up and losing it and that he doesn’t want so much money that his daughter ends up “crashing and burning”.
Goo Goo Dolls’ John Rzeznik credits Taylor Swift for resurgence
The founder and lead singer of the Goo Goo Dolls, John Rzeznik, shares some of his memorable stories while meeting the biggest names in music. He recalls feeling honored to share a stage with Taylor Swift and admits he had no interest in staying for the reception after playing at Demi Lovato’s wedding. He also fondly remembers meeting his heroes, the Rolling Stones, commenting on how kind and generous they were.
The one fear Goo Goo Dolls’ John Rzeznik hasn’t conquered
Goo Goo Dolls lead singer John Rzeznik, now at age 60, speaks candidly about his fears of aging. He admits that he is afraid to take a year off because of the threat of losing relevance, but realizes that it might be a fear worth facing to spend time with the people he loves.
Writing or performing? Rapid fire with Goo Goo Dolls’ John Rzeznik
The lead singer of the Goo Goo Dolls answers our this-or-that questions presented by Twix.
The Goo Goo Dolls’ craziest tour story
The Goo Goo Dolls’ managers weigh in on the chaos that comes with following the band on tour. The band’s first manager, Artie Kwitchoff, recounts the band’s chaotic early years when the band would beg for lodging at concerts, drink constantly, and get their gear stolen. He also recalls stealing a piece of gear from a venue that didn’t pay the band and skipping town.
Goo Goo Dolls’ John Rzeznik returns home: “F you to everybody I grew up with”
John Rzeznik drives Graham through the streets of Rzeznik’s hometown of Buffalo, NY. As he drives through his old neighborhood, Rzeznik reminisces about an old prank gone wrong that resulted in him having to go to mass six days a week as punishment. He also stops by his childhood home and recounts how he used to sleep in a tiny room under the stairs since there were only three bedrooms for 7 people.
John Rzeznik at Goo Goo Dolls exhibit recalls Red Hot Chili Peppers snub
Goo Goo Dolls singer John Rzeznik and Graham are some of the first people to see a not-yet-open exhibit put on by the Buffalo History Museum about the native Buffalo Band. It’s a full-circle moment for Rzezkik, who says he often skipped classes to walk around the museum as a child. While checking out some of the exhibits, Rzeznik is left speechless seeing one of his oldest guitars displayed proudly. As they go down memory lane, Rzeznik recounts an awkward moment when the band opened for the Red Hot Chili Peppers, and he tried to speak to one of the band members before being disregarded.
John Rzeznik returns to the high school he swore he’d never go back to
Goo Goo Dolls lead singer John Rzeznik returns to his Buffalo high school for the first time since graduating – despite being invited back several times. Jokingly saying it’ll be a test of how good his therapy is going, Rzeznik said going into the school reminds him of the bullying he endured as a student. He also excitedly shows Graham around the school’s plumbing and trade workshop, where he built a passion for fixing things. He recalls his very first gig in the school auditorium and considers returning again to play a show on the same stage where his career began.
Goo Goo Dolls’ John Rzeznik reveals his secret to the perfect Buffalo wing
John Rzeznik, pulling from his time as a fry cook, teaches Graham how to make the perfect Buffalo wing. He recounts how he would constantly burn his arm at the fryer and shares how he feels most in his element when in a kitchen or behind a bar.
John Rzeznik on learning to face his fear after surviving a plane crash
Graham drops in on John Rzeznik as he works out and shares his health regimen. He opens up about his dissatisfaction with his body and his commitment to staying healthy after seeing his parents’ lives cut short because of their habits. He also shares his difficult journey forcing himself to get back in the air after surviving a crash.
Backstage with John Rzeznik and the Goo Goo Dolls
Goo Goo Dolls frontman John Rzeznik shows off his complicated voice warm-up before a concert and, in the moments before taking the stage, opens up about feeling nervous before each show. After the show, he and fellow Goo Goo Dolls founder Robby Takac sit down with Graham and reveal the secret to the band’s longevity.
John Rzeznik and Robby Takac on 40 years of fights and fond memories
John Rzeznik and Goo Goo Dolls co-founder Robby Takac reminisce about the band’s early days, reflecting on their decades-long friendship and the highs and lows of life as young rock stars, from sleeping on people’s porches and getting into fistfights to playing their first gig at a major venue and landing a booking on The Tonight Show.
John Rzeznik: Iris, sobriety, and the Goo Goo Dolls’ latest chapter
Goo Goo Dolls founder and frontman John Rzeznik sits down with Graham Bensinger to reflect on his remarkable journey from a troubled childhood to more than three decades of international stardom. Rzeznik opens up about losing both parents at a young age, enduring bullying, and battling alcohol addiction. He also reflects on why modern day songwriting isn’t for him and how his relationship with social media has evolved given the recent revival of the band’s 1998 mega hit ‘Iris.’