History of Goo Goo Dolls in Timeline
The Goo Goo Dolls, formed in 1986 in Buffalo, New York, is an American rock band known for their hit songs like "Iris" and "Name". The band currently comprises John Rzeznik, the guitarist and vocalist, and Robby Takac, the bassist and vocalist.
1986: Goo Goo Dolls Formed
The Goo Goo Dolls, an American rock band, was formed in Buffalo, New York in 1986.
1987: Payment Dispute and Tutuska's Departure
Prior to the release of "A Boy Named Goo", drummer George Tutuska was fired from the band due to a payment dispute concerning royalties, particularly for the song "Fallin' Down" from their previous album. Tutuska claimed that the band had an agreement to split royalties equally since their debut album's release in 1987.
1987: Debut Album Released
The Goo Goo Dolls released their self-titled debut album in 1987 on Mercenary Records.
1987: Legal Battle with Metal Blade Records
The band's success with "A Boy Named Goo" led to a legal dispute with their record label, Metal Blade Records, over royalty payments, stemming from a contract signed in 1987.
1987: Beginning of Pick Pockets, Petty Thieves, and Tiny Victories Era
This year marked the beginning of the era covered in the Goo Goo Dolls' vinyl box set "Pick Pockets, Petty Thieves, and Tiny Victories (1987–1995)".
1988: Signing with Celluloid Records
The Goo Goo Dolls were signed by Celluloid Records, a larger record company, in 1988.
1990: Hold Me Up Released
The Goo Goo Dolls released their third album, "Hold Me Up", in 1990, featuring John Rzeznik as lead vocalist on several tracks.
1991: "I'm Awake Now" Featured in Freddy's Dead: The Final Nightmare
The Goo Goo Dolls recorded "I'm Awake Now" for the soundtrack of the film "Freddy's Dead: The Final Nightmare" in 1991.
1992: Start of Billboard's Top 100 Pop Songs Chart Period
This year marked the beginning of the period considered for Billboard's "Top 100 Pop Songs 1992–2012" chart.
1993: Superstar Car Wash and Media Attention
The Goo Goo Dolls' album "Superstar Car Wash", released in 1993, garnered significant media attention.
1995: A Boy Named Goo Released
In 1995, the Goo Goo Dolls released "A Boy Named Goo", which achieved significant success, becoming one of the most popular alternative rock albums of the mid-1990s.
1995: "Name" Achieves Breakthrough Success
The Goo Goo Dolls experienced mainstream success in 1995 with the release of their single "Name".
1995: "Name" Brings Mainstream Success and Sound Evolution
The Goo Goo Dolls' breakthrough single, "Name", released in 1995, propelled them to mainstream success. This success also marked a shift in their musical style from alternative rock to a more adult-oriented sound, which drew mixed reactions from their fanbase.
1995: Beginning of Rarities Era
This year marked the beginning of the period from which the Goo Goo Dolls' "Rarities" compilation album draws its tracks (1995-2007).
1995: End of Pick Pockets, Petty Thieves, and Tiny Victories Era
This year marked the end of the era covered in the Goo Goo Dolls' vinyl box set "Pick Pockets, Petty Thieves, and Tiny Victories (1987–1995)".
1998: "Iris" Written for City of Angels and Grammy Nominations
John Rzeznik wrote "Iris" for the "City of Angels" soundtrack in 1998. The song's success led to three Grammy nominations for the band.
1998: Signing with Warner Bros. Records
The Goo Goo Dolls reached a settlement with Metal Blade Records and signed with Warner Bros. Records, releasing their sixth album, "Dizzy Up the Girl", in 1998.
1998: Critical Acclaim and Grammy Nominations for "Iris"
The Goo Goo Dolls' 1998 hit single, "Iris", achieved significant critical acclaim, receiving Grammy Award nominations for Record of the Year and Pop Performance by a Duo or Group. John Rzeznik also earned a Song of the Year nomination for "Iris".
1998: "Iris" and "Slide" Chart Success on Billboard
The Goo Goo Dolls' songs "Iris" (1998) and "Slide" (1999) appeared on Billboard's "Top 100 Pop Songs 1992–2012" chart.
1998: "Iris" Dominates the Charts
The band's single "Iris" was released in 1998 and achieved remarkable success, spending 11 months on the Billboard Hot 100 and topping the Hot 100 Airplay chart for 18 weeks.
1999: Rolling Stone Reports on Band Name Origin
In 1999, Rolling Stone magazine published an article suggesting that the Goo Goo Dolls' name originated from a True Detective ad for a toy called a Goo Goo Doll.
1999: "Slide" Charts on Billboard's Top 100
The Goo Goo Dolls' song "Slide" (1999) appeared on Billboard's "Top 100 Pop Songs 1992–2012" chart.
2001: What I Learned About Ego, Opinion, Art & Commerce
The Goo Goo Dolls released their first compilation album, "What I Learned About Ego, Opinion, Art & Commerce", in 2001.
2002: Gutterflower Released
The Goo Goo Dolls released their album "Gutterflower" in 2002.
July 4, 2004: Free Concert in Buffalo and "Goo Goo Dolls Day"
On July 4, 2004, the Goo Goo Dolls performed a free concert in Buffalo, New York, despite heavy rain. This date was later proclaimed "Goo Goo Dolls Day" in their hometown.
2005: "Give a Little Bit" Tops Adult Top 40 Chart
The Goo Goo Dolls' cover of "Give a Little Bit" reached the top of the Adult Top 40 chart in 2005.
2006: Let Love In and 20th Anniversary
The Goo Goo Dolls celebrated their 20th anniversary with the release of their album "Let Love In" in 2006.
2006: Let Love In Released
The Goo Goo Dolls released their album "Let Love In" in 2006.
June 8, 2007: Performance on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno
The Goo Goo Dolls made an appearance on "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno" on June 8, 2007.
June 22, 2007: Performance on The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson
The Goo Goo Dolls performed on "The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson" on June 22, 2007.
June 27, 2007: Goo Goo Dolls Perform at Red Rocks
On June 27, 2007, the Goo Goo Dolls held a concert at Red Rocks Amphitheatre in Morrison, Colorado, for which all tickets were sold. The performance was recorded and later made available on DVD with the special edition of their 2008 album, Vol.2.
November 13, 2007: Release of Greatest Hits Volume One: The Singles
On November 13, 2007, the Goo Goo Dolls released their first greatest hits album, titled "Greatest Hits Volume One: The Singles". This compilation featured a new recording of their song "Name", mixed by Paul David Hager, and a remix of "Feel the Silence" by Michael Brauer.
2007: Goo Goo Dolls' Halftime Performance at Detroit Lions' Thanksgiving Game
During the halftime of the Detroit Lions' Thanksgiving Day game in 2007, the Goo Goo Dolls performed "Better Days" and "Stay With You" at Ford Field. The performance was part of a larger initiative by the United Way and the NFL promoting youth health and fitness.
2007: End of Rarities Era
This year marked the end of the period from which the Goo Goo Dolls' "Rarities" compilation album draws its tracks (1995-2007).
2008: New Album Recording Sessions and O2 Wireless Festival Performance
In 2008, the Goo Goo Dolls announced on their website that they were recording a new album separate from their "Volume Two" project. Additionally, they performed at the O2 Wireless Festival in London's Hyde Park that summer.
2008: Vol. 2 Release and Uncertified Gold Status
In 2008, the Goo Goo Dolls released "Vol.2", an album that reportedly achieved gold status, although this wasn't certified by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).
August 31, 2010: Release of Something for the Rest of Us
The Goo Goo Dolls released their ninth studio album, "Something for the Rest of Us", on August 31, 2010. The album featured a more somber tone in lead singer John Rzeznik's songwriting. The single "Home" from the album reached the top ten on the Hot AC radio format, extending the band's record to 14 top ten hits on that chart.
October 2012: "Iris" Tops Billboard's Top 100 Pop Songs Chart
Billboard ranked "Iris" as the number one song on its "Top 100 Pop Songs 1992–2012" chart, solidifying its place in pop music history.
October 2012: "Iris" Tops Billboard Chart
In October 2012, "Iris" by the Goo Goo Dolls reached the top spot on Billboard's "Top 100 Pop Songs 1992–2012" chart.
June 11, 2013: Release of Magnetic
On June 11, 2013, the band released their tenth studio album, "Magnetic", which debuted at number eight on the Billboard Top 200 Albums chart.
July 19, 2013: Release of "Come to Me"
The Goo Goo Dolls released "Come to Me", the second single from their album "Magnetic", on July 19, 2013.
December 2013: Robby Takac Departs from the Band
Robby Takac announced his departure from the Goo Goo Dolls in December 2013.
November 2014: Robby Takac Sues Goo Goo Dolls
Robby Takac filed a lawsuit against the Goo Goo Dolls in November 2014, alleging wrongful termination and claiming he was let go after requesting paternity leave.
June 9, 2015: Goo Goo Dolls Contribute to Finding Neverland Soundtrack
The Goo Goo Dolls contributed the song "If the World Turned Upside Down" to the soundtrack of the Broadway musical "Finding Neverland". The soundtrack was released on June 9, 2015.
November 27, 2015: 20th Anniversary Edition of A Boy Named Goo
To commemorate the 20th anniversary of their breakthrough album "A Boy Named Goo", the Goo Goo Dolls released a special edition of the album on November 27, 2015.
2015: Recording of Boxes
The Goo Goo Dolls spent the majority of 2015 in the studio, working on their eleventh studio album, "Boxes", which was recorded at Bear Creek Studio in Woodinville, Washington.
May 6, 2016: Release of Boxes
The Goo Goo Dolls released their eleventh studio album, "Boxes", on May 6, 2016. The majority of 2015 was dedicated to writing and recording the album at Bear Creek Studio in Woodinville, Washington.
April 22, 2017: Release of Pick Pockets, Petty Thieves, and Tiny Victories (1987–1995)
On Record Store Day, April 22, 2017, the Goo Goo Dolls released an exclusive vinyl box set titled "Pick Pockets, Petty Thieves, and Tiny Victories (1987–1995)".
May 12, 2017: Release of You Should Be Happy EP
The Goo Goo Dolls released a five-song EP titled "You Should Be Happy" on May 12, 2017.
2018: Dizzy Up the Girl 20th Anniversary Tour and Live Albums
In 2018, the Goo Goo Dolls celebrated the 20th anniversary of their album "Dizzy Up the Girl" with a tour where they played the album in its entirety. They also released two live albums: "The Audience is This Way" in June and "The Audience is That Way" in November.
April 13, 2019: Release of Topography Vinyl Box Set
A limited-edition vinyl box set titled "Topography" was released on Record Store Day, April 13, 2019. Only 1000 copies of the box set were made available.
August 22, 2020: The Weeknd's "Blinding Lights" Breaks "Iris" Record
The Weeknd's song "Blinding Lights" surpassed the Goo Goo Dolls' "Iris" on August 22, 2020, for the most weeks spent on the radio charts, breaking a record held by "Iris" for almost 22 years.
August 24, 2020: Announcement of It's Christmas All Over
On August 24, 2020, the Goo Goo Dolls announced their first Christmas album, "It's Christmas All Over".
May 2021: Announcement of Rarities
In May 2021, the band announced the upcoming release of "Rarities", a double compilation album that would feature rare and unheard tracks from 1995 to 2007.
June 2021: John Rzeznik Reveals New Album in the Works
In June 2021, singer John Rzeznik revealed during a YouTube interview that the band was working on their 14th studio album, aiming for a 2022 release. He described a new approach to writing and recording, utilizing older production methods.
June 25, 2021: Release of Rarities
The Goo Goo Dolls released "Rarities", a double compilation album featuring rare and previously unreleased songs recorded between 1995 and 2007, on June 25, 2021.
November 2021: John Rzeznik Discusses Upcoming Album in Spin Interview
During a November 2021 interview with Spin, John Rzeznik shared that he produced most of the band's upcoming album himself. He hinted at a more experimental sound, suggesting it might not receive much radio play.
June 27, 2022: Announcement of Chaos in Bloom and "Yeah, I Like You"
The Goo Goo Dolls announced their new album, "Chaos in Bloom", and its lead single, "Yeah, I Like You", on their Facebook page on June 27, 2022.
July 1, 2022: Premiere of "Yeah, I Like You"
"Yeah, I Like You", the lead single from the Goo Goo Dolls' album "Chaos in Bloom", premiered on July 1, 2022.
2022: Rzeznik Comments on Band Name Origin
In 2022, John Rzeznik, the band's guitarist and vocalist, revealed that he didn't recall the exact origin of the band's name. He admitted that they needed a name for a gig and came up with "Goo Goo Dolls", acknowledging it as a "kind of stupid name".
2022: Fourteenth Studio Album Anticipated Release
The Goo Goo Dolls' fourteenth studio album was expected to be released sometime in 2022.
February 2023: Goo Goo Dolls Announce North America Tour
In February 2023, the Goo Goo Dolls announced that they would be going on tour in North America.
