John Rzeznik of Goo Goo Dolls Talks the State of the Music Biz and What 2 Billions Streams Were Worth To Him - Noise11.com
Goo Goo Dolls publicity 2024

Goo Goo Dolls publicity 2024

John Rzeznik of Goo Goo Dolls Talks the State of the Music Biz and What 2 Billions Streams Were Worth To Him

by Paul Cashmere on December 17, 2024

in News

Goo Goo Dolls’ cofounder John Rzeznik has sold a lot of records over the years. ‘A Boy Named Goo’ (1995) sold two million albums in America. ‘Dizzy Up The Girl’ (1998) sold five million. The single ‘Iris’ (1998) did 10 million in sales.

John Rzeznik tells Noise11 there is just no money in music sales anymore and he knows, ‘Iris’ has been streamed over two billion times.

John says, “Nobody makes any money out of selling records anymore because nobody buys records anymore. You make crap for streaming. People stream your songs and you make no money. You’ve got to go out and play live. That takes a lot of time. I just think the business has changed so much. Its not as much fun as it used to be. We get to play live and that’s how we earn a living”.

John didn’t race out an buy a Ferrari with his first big royalty cheque. “I don’t have a Ferrari. I have a platinum record Ford Bronco and from my Spotify billion streams of have a Matchbox car of the Bronco I drive around. That’s my life”.

Goo Goo Dolls learned to play live by performing in front of next to no-one every night of the week. “We were really lucky that we came up much the same ways as those Australian bands in the pub culture. We would go out and play four nights a week. You were constantly playing, playing, playing, playing in front of 10 people, 20 people, hopefully 30 people showed up the next time. We were brought up in a culture where record making was important. You created a whole body of work from beginning to end and going out in support of the record to sell those records. The business has flipped on its head now. Theres a handful of very wealthy tech bros that are making all the money”.

He says something has to change with the way streaming companies compensate artists. “It’s a way of screwing artists out of what they deserve,” John says. “I would like to remind the people who run Spotify that without artists they have an empty vending machine. I wish all the artists could get together and say ‘no, we aren’t doing this for this crap money’. The truth is if the 10 biggest selling artists in the world said ‘no, we are pulling all of our music until you give us a fair deal’. Then you would see change but that ain’t gonna happen because they are making all the money”.

Watch the Noise11.com interview with John Rzeznik:

AUSTRALIA SUMMER ANTHEM 2025 TOUR DATES

Canberra – Thursday, February 20, AIS Arena
Sydney – Friday, February 21, The Hordern Pavilion
Newcastle – Sunday, February 23, Newcastle Entertainment Centre
Brisbane – Tuesday, February 25, BCEC
Adelaide – Thursday, February 27, AEC Theatre
Melbourne – Sunday, March 2, Margaret Court Arena

Stay updated with your free Noise11.com daily music news email alert. Subscribe to Noise11 Music News here

Be the first to see NOISE11.com’s newest interviews and special features on YOUTUBE and updated regularly. See things first SUBSCRIBE here: Noise11 on YouTube SUBSCRIBE

Follow Noise11 on Social Media

Noise11.com

Related Posts

Lamb of God (supplied)
Lamb of God Release Surprise Black Sabbath Cover After Back To The Beginning Concert

GRAMMY-nominated metal titans Lamb of God have delivered a surprise to fans today with the unannounced release of their studio cover of Black Sabbath's iconic "Children of the Grave." The track is now available across all digital platforms via Epic Records.

3 days ago
Liam and Noel Gallagher reform Oasis for 2025 dates
Noel Gallagher Credits Bones For Getting Oasis Back Together

Noel Gallagher has revealed that Paul 'Bonehead' Arthurs is the one responsible for the current Oasis reunion tour.

3 days ago
Oasis photo by Simon Emmett
Oasis Kick Off First Show Since 2009 in Wales #SETLIST

Oasis have performed the first show on the Oasis Live 25 world tour in Cardiff, Wales.

5 days ago
Usher Cancels All 12 Australian Tour Dates

Usher has cancelled his 12 Australian concerts in November and December.

6 days ago
Dave Grohl Foo Fighters at Etihad Stadium on Tuesday 30 January 2018. Photo by Ros O'Gorman
Dave Grohl Honors Taylor Hawkins on 30th Anniversary of Foo Fighters Album

Dave Grohl has paid tribute to Taylor Hawkins while marking the 30th anniversary of the Foo Fighters' self-titled debut album.

6 days ago
Russell Hitchcock Take Time
Russell Hitchcock of Air Supply Solo Album ‘Take Time’ To Be Reissued

Russell Hitchcock’s second solo album ‘Take Time’ will have a limited reissue through MelodicRock Classics.

7 days ago
Diddy Facebook photo
Sean Combs Charged With Prostitution But Escapes Racketeering

Rapper, entrepreneur Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs has been found guilty on charges of Prostitution but has avoid the more serious charges of Racketeering and Sex Trafficking.

7 days ago