John Joseph Theodore Rzeznik (born on December 5, 1965 in Buffalo, New York and also known as Johnny Rzeznik) is an American songwriter, lead guitarist, vocalist and producer. He is best known as the frontman of rock band the Goo Goo Dolls, of whom he is a founding member and with whom he has recorded eight studio albums.

Early years

Rzeznik, the youngest of five children, was born to Joseph and Edith Rzeznik (pronounced REZ-nik" and meaning 'butcher' in Polish). Joseph was a postal worker, and Edith a school teacher, and both were musicians, playing clarinet and flute respectively. Rzeznik had a strict Catholic upbringing on Buffalo's working-class East Side. Rzeznik's father died from diabetic coma at the age of fifty five when Rzeznik was fourteen years old. Six months later his mother died from a sudden heart attack. Having lost both of his parents, he was brought up by his four older sisters: Phyllis, Fran, Glad and Kate. It was during this period and while attending high school that Rzeznik began playing the guitar.

Career

Goo Goo Dolls