After a two-year hiatus due to the pandemic, the Goo Goo Dolls are back on the road, but their lead singer and guitarist, John Rzeznik, had to overcome more than just COVID-19 to return to live music venues and release their new album “Chaos in Bloom.”
In March, Rzeznik, who is 56 years old, faced a vocal cord injury and a torn ligament in his elbow, forcing him into complete silence for two weeks. He humorously noted, “I had to stay completely silent for two weeks. I’m sitting there going, ‘Oh, my God. I have no other skills! I can’t go get a job.’”
His recovery included:
- Vocal rest.
- “Massive doses of Prednisone” for his voice.
- Physical therapy.
- A platelet-rich plasma injection for his elbow.
Fortunately, these treatments kept him from having to dust off his resume.
Between two postponements and two injuries, Rzeznik had ample time to reflect on his role as a musician and the Goo Goo Dolls’ success. Their Grammy-nominated hit song “Iris” recently achieved a milestone by joining Spotify’s billion-streams club. Rzeznik remarked, “You can tend to take it for granted… Our lives were upended… having it taken away was eye-opening.”
He also emphasized the emotional toll of losing his sense of purpose during the pandemic, a feeling he believes many people shared.
The band’s tour began in July and concluded with a hometown show in Buffalo on September 24. Following a month-long break, they will kick off a new set of tour dates in late October.
Despite the apparent divisions in the country, Rzeznik believes that live music has a unifying power, stating, “No matter how divided this country seems to be, whenever they come into where we’re playing, we’ve all got one thing in common. That’s a good place to start. That’s what I like about live music. We’re all singing the same song.”
Their setlist includes a mix of radio singles and tracks from their new album.
Rzeznik’s life on the road has changed significantly in recent years, unrelated to COVID-19. He married in 2013, became sober in 2014, and welcomed his first child in 2016. His wife, Melina, and their 5-year-old daughter, Liliana, occasionally join him on tour.
His daily routine involves soundchecks, meet-and-greets, interviews, and virtual singing lessons via Zoom with vocal coach Eric Vetro, who has worked with artists like Katy Perry, Ariana Grande, and Shawn Mendes. Rzeznik admitted that at the start of the tour, he was cautious about pushing his vocal cords too hard, but Vetro helped him gain confidence.
Unlike many artists, Rzeznik does not personally engage with social media. He has a social media manager for that purpose and stated, “I don’t do (social media).
I give the illusion that I’m doing it, which I’ve just blown my cover completely.” He prefers not to expose himself to the anonymity of social media, which often encourages negative behaviour and personal attacks.
The Goo Goo Dolls released their first Christmas album in 2020, and “Chaos in Bloom” marks the first LP where Rzeznik serves as a producer for the entire release.
He expressed his hope that the band’s evolution will continue beyond this album, emphasizing that he still has song ideas and is still waiting to become a nostalgia act. Rzeznik concluded, “I haven’t run out of things I want to do… I’m still swinging. That’s all you can ask for.”
John Rzeznik wife
Goo Goo Dolls frontman John Rzeznik’s wedding planning was a breeze. The rock star tied the knot with his longtime girlfriend, Melina Gallo, in an exclusive ceremony at Calamigos Ranch in Malibu, according to PEOPLE magazine.
Rzeznik, 48 at the time, spoke with PEOPLE about their decision to marry, saying, “We’ve been together a while, and I’m not going anywhere, and we’d like to start a family. I prefer to be married when I have kids.”
The couple exchanged vows under the canopy of an old oak tree, officiated by Episcopal priest and close friend Rev. Michael Ralph. Approximately 120 guests attended, including Rzeznik’s bandmates. The wedding strongly emphasized family and friends, creating a beautiful and romantic atmosphere, as noted by Rzeznik.
The menu featured appetizers during the cocktail hour and a main course of roasted chicken, garlic mashed potatoes, and wild mushroom ravioli. Gallo was radiant in an Enzoani gown, while Rzeznik opted for a dark green Gucci suit instead of the traditional tuxedo.
Despite being on tour to promote the Goo Goo Dolls’ tenth album, “Magnetic,” Rzeznik did not perform at the wedding. He explained, “We clarified that I would not be singing at our wedding. Our song was Adele’s ‘Make You Feel My Love.’ I love her version of that song.”
The newlyweds planned a honeymoon in Italy and France once Rzeznik completed his fall tour. When they mentioned their family plans, Rzeznik said, “We’ll start with one and deal with it from there.”
This marked Rzeznik’s second marriage; he divorced his first wife in 1997 after four years of marriage. He began dating Gallo in 2005. Although her exact age is not confirmed due to her privacy, she is believed to have been born around 1976, making her in her late 40s.
Rzeznik, born on December 5, 1965, in Buffalo, New York, was 57 years old at the wedding time. Before Gallo, he was married to former model Laurie Farinacci in 1993, ending in divorce in 2003.
John Rzeznik Kids
Three years after their wedding, the couple celebrated the joyous arrival of their first child, a daughter named Liliana, in 2016. John Rzeznik, known for his musical talents, has frequently taken to social media to share cherished moments and snapshots of his beloved daughter. Among his Instagram posts, one particularly stands out: he lovingly refers to his daughter as the girl who “has stolen his heart.”
This touching declaration on social media showcases Rzeznik’s deep affection for his daughter. It offers a glimpse into the profound fatherly love and pride he holds for Liliana. These heartfelt moments captured on social media reflect the joys of parenthood and the special bond between a father and his child.
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