Cleveland was bright that night. Even though it rained, the Goo Goo Dolls delivered a very upbeat and engaging performance at Jacobs Pavilion in Cleveland, August 2016.

Goo Goo Dolls at Jacobs Pavilion in Cleveland

Dizzy Up the Audience
Simply put, the Goo Goo Dolls rocked the west bank of The Flats at Jacobs Pavilion at Nautica in Cleveland by keeping the audience absorbed from the very beginning to long after the finish. Surely, we all had Goo Goo Dolls songs (like Slide, Name, Iris, and Broadway) in our heads for days after the show. How did the band keep the audience charmed and wanting more? It was very clear. Lead Singer/Guitarist John Rzeznik and Singer/Bassist Robby Takac enjoy performing, and that energy and contentment radiates. This duo has been together for 30 years. Thirty years! And the team is obviously still having a great time making and sharing music.

John Rzeznik of the Goo Good Dolls in Cleveland

What’s the Goo?
In the next 30 seconds, name a band that has been together consistently for three decades, and whose core members are still getting along, creating and releasing music, and touring… other than the Goo Goo Dolls, that is. Definitely a challenging question! Together longer than most marriages, these guys know the secret to success. Rzeznik and Takac are in obvious coordination, agreement, and direction. (Huge congratulations, guys!) A band cannot fake this type of joyful synchronization night after night. Although we might not know the personal secret—the goo, if you will—the outward information is that they keep producing good music, the duo obviously gels, and they know how to engage an audience.

Robby Takac of the Goo Good Dolls in Cleveland

Guys and Dolls
The Goo Goo Dolls are genuinely talented: They have released numerous hits and produced award-winning records over the decades, including the release of their latest album, Boxes. Looking at the guys themselves and taking part of the band name literally, the guys really are dolls, of sorts, each adorable in his own way. Rzeznik has the chiseled china doll look; Takac has that irresistible squeezable appeal. In fact, I never realized how charming Takac is until I saw him up close. His smile is quite engaging, yet almost uncapturable on film. Even though they’ve reached superstardom status, they look like the kind of guys you want to be friends with… kick back a few beers, laugh, chat about music and girls. Their publicist has my number in case the guys want to reach out later. 🙂

John Rzeznik of the Goo Good Dolls in Cleveland

Robby Takac of the Goo Good Dolls in Cleveland

John Rzeznik of the Goo Good Dolls in Cleveland

Robby Takac of the Goo Good Dolls in Cleveland