Johnny Rzeznik (pronounced REZ-Nik), commonly known as Johnny Rzeznik (born December 5, 1965 in Buffalo, New York), is the guitarist/vocalist of rock band the Goo Goo Dolls. His last name (which means 'butcher' in Polish) indicates his Polish ancestry-- his parents (Joseph and Edith Rzeznik) both being immigrants from Poland. He has four older sisters (Phyllis, Fran, Glad and Kate), and often jokingly complains it's "...one of the worst things that can happen to a man." Unfortunately, his father died of alcoholism when Johnny was fourteen, and his mother the following year from heart problems. He got an apartment on his own and turned "punk". He was the only punk at his school, Buffalo's McKinley Vocational High School, where he was studying to be a plumber. The Goo Goo Dolls happened instead. Within his band, he plays guitar and sings lead vocals. Prior to the album A Boy Named Goo, his bandmate, Robby Takac was the lead singer. During the era of the album Superstar Carwash, they collaborated on several songs. Even as John transitioned into becoming the lead vocalist, both men still share the duties of writing songs for the band's albums, and Takac still sings lead vocals on several songs.
John has always been a fan of fender guitars. He used many variations such as the stratocaster, telecaster, jaguar, and a halfcaster which is bluntly a stratocaster cut in half. He used guild acoustics as well. But as of late he seems to be experimenting the Gibson Les Paul guitars, and semi hollow body guitars. He also uses acoustic Taylor Guitars.
