John Joseph Theodore Rzeznik was born on 5 December 1965, in Buffalo, New York State USA, to Edith, a bar proprietor of English and German descent, and Joseph Rzeznik, a postal clerk of Polish descent. He is a musician, singer/songwriter and producer, best known as the guitarist and frontman of the rock band Goo Goo Dolls.
So just how loaded is Johnny Rzeznik? According to sources in early 2017, Rzeznik has amassed a wealth of over $14 million, accumulated during his music career which began in the early 1980s.
John Rzeznik Net Worth $14 Million
Rzeznik grew up the youngest of five siblings in Buffalo’s working-class East Side Polish neighborhood, where he attended Corpus Christi Grammar School. Both of his parents were musicians, however, tragically when he was in his teens his parents died within a year of each other. Raised by his sisters, he went on to attend Buffalo’s McKinley Vocational High School, and it was around this time that he began playing the guitar. He then enrolled at Buffalo State College, but dropped out a year later.
Not long after, he met fellow musician Robby Tacak, and along with drummer George Tutuska, they formed the rock group Goo Goo Dolls. Signing with a smaller record label called Mercenary Records, the band released their first self-titled album in 1987, then signed with the larger Celluloid Records. Two more albums followed, but without significant success. They had better luck with their fourth album, the 1993 “Superstar Car Wash”, released under Metal Blade Records. It contained the song “We Are the Normal”, which Rzeznik wrote with his idol, The Replacements’ singer Paul Westerberg. His net worth was now rising.
In 1995 they released the album “A Boy Named Goo”, which became one of the most successful alternative rock albums of that period, going double platinum. It contained the single “Name”, which became an instant hit, earning the band much needed recognition and popularity. Signing with Warner Bros. Records, they went on to release another album in 1998, the triple-platinum “Dizzy Up the Girl”, with the song “Iris”, which Rzeznik wrote for the soundtrack of the film “City of Angels”, boosting their fame and propelling them to success. The song dominated the charts, earning three Grammy nominations, which significantly added to Rzeznik’s wealth.
The band scored a few more hits with their 2006 album “Let Love In”, such as “Give a Little Bit”, “Better Days”, “Stay with You” and “Let Love In”. A year later, they recorded the soundtrack for the film “Transformers”, entitled “Before It’s Too Late”, and which reinforced their status. In 2010 their ninth album came out – “Something for the Rest of Us” – containing the hit “Home”. It was followed by the 2013 “Magnetic”. Their most recent album, “Boxes”, was released in 2016.
The band has now charted 19 top ten singles worldwide – many due to Rzeznik’s song-writing – and have sold more than 12 million albums, plus touring frequently which has enabled Rzeznik to achieve worldwide fame and a significant fortune. It also brought him awards and honors, such as being inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame and given the Hal David Starlight award.
Aside from Goo Goo Dolls, Rzeznik also wrote and performed two songs for the Disney movie “Treasure Planet”, as well as having written and produced for other artists, such as Blessed Union of Souls, Anastacia and Ryan Cabrera.
In 2007, he served as a judge in the reality television talent show “The Next Great American Band”, which gave him further exposure and an addition to his bank account.
Speaking about his personal life, in 1993 Rzeznik married former model Laurie Farinacci; they divorced in 2003. In 2013 he married Melina Gallo, with whom he has one child.
The singer is involved in philanthropy too. He and the band has supported various charities, including Food Bank of Western NY and Compass House, and has performed at various events for charity causes. They have created a scholarship fund for St. Joseph’s Collegiate Institute, to help students with good grades who cannot afford the school. Rzeznik has also served as an ambassador for VH1’s Save the Music Foundation.
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