Robby Takac
Encyclopedia
Robert Carl Takac, Jr., known as Robby Takac (born September 30, 1964) is one of the founding members of the Goo Goo Dolls
, along with Johnny Rzeznik
. He is the band's bassist and was formerly the lead singer on the Goo Goo Dolls' earlier albums.
and grew up in the Buffalo suburb of West Seneca with his parents and younger sister. He graduated from West Seneca East Senior High School
in 1982. He graduated from Medaille College
with a degree in Communications, with an emphasis on Radio Broadcasting. In his college years, he played in several bands and interned and worked at a local Buffalo radio station.
In 2008, Takac was named to the Board of Trustees of his alma mater, Medaille College.
through the Beaumonts and together they found a drummer, George Tutuska
and started the band, the "Sex Maggots", with Takac as the lead singer and bassist. In 1986 they changed their name to the more promotable "Goo Goo Dolls" and after two CDs moved Rzeznik to the majority of lead vocals. In late 1994, Takac and Rzeznik lost their first drummer, George Tutuska. In early 1995, they met Mike Malinin and hired him. In 1995 they received their first commercial success with the single "Name
". The 1998 follow-up "Iris" reached number one on several charts, including the Hot 100 Airplay. Goo Goo Dolls have been releasing music and touring continuously since.
In 2009 They recorded "Something for the Rest of Us" in Buffalo, NY at their studio Inner Machine Studios - Takac opened the studio to the public as GCR Audio.
. That same year, Takac started his own record label "Good Charamel Records" in Buffalo, New York. After seeing numerous local acts, the first three bands signed to the label were Klear, The Juliet Dagger, and Last Conservative, the label now releases Japanese Rock Music in North America by Female Fronted J-Rock Bands such as Shonen Knife, Tsushimamire, Lazy Guns Brisky and MOLICE.
In 2004, Takac founded the Music is Art Festival, a not-for-profit organization, and operates as their President. MiA seeks to explore and reshape music’s cultural, social, and educational impact on the community. Active throughout the year, MiA is supported by a multitude of programs, concerts, and events, ranging from collecting and donating instruments to local schools, mental health awareness tours, music industry education, among others.
BB-series bass guitars, but he has also played Fender and Zon
bass guitars.
Goo Goo Dolls
The Goo Goo Dolls are a Grammy-nominated American rock band formed in 1986 in Buffalo, New York, by vocalist and guitarist John Rzeznik and vocalist and bass guitarist Robby Takac. Since the end of 1994, Mike Malinin has been the band's drummer, a position previously held by George Tutuska...
, along with Johnny Rzeznik
Johnny Rzeznik
John Joseph Theodore Rzeznik , also known as Johnny Rzeznik, is an American songwriter, guitarist, vocalist and producer...
. He is the band's bassist and was formerly the lead singer on the Goo Goo Dolls' earlier albums.
Background
Takac was born in Buffalo, New YorkBuffalo, New York
Buffalo is the second most populous city in the state of New York, after New York City. Located in Western New York on the eastern shores of Lake Erie and at the head of the Niagara River across from Fort Erie, Ontario, Buffalo is the seat of Erie County and the principal city of the...
and grew up in the Buffalo suburb of West Seneca with his parents and younger sister. He graduated from West Seneca East Senior High School
West Seneca East Senior High School
West Seneca East Senior High is a public, co-educational high school in the West Seneca Central School District and serves grades nine through twelve. It is accredited by the New York State Board of Regents.-Students:...
in 1982. He graduated from Medaille College
Medaille College
Medaille College a private liberal arts college located in the historic Olmsted Crescent of Buffalo, New York, that draws extensively from the Western New York and Southern Ontario regions. It is a private, nonsectarian, co-educational institution.-History:...
with a degree in Communications, with an emphasis on Radio Broadcasting. In his college years, he played in several bands and interned and worked at a local Buffalo radio station.
In 2008, Takac was named to the Board of Trustees of his alma mater, Medaille College.
Music
Initially, he was part of the rock band Monarch prior to joining the Beaumonts, which broke up in 1985. He met guitarist Johnny RzeznikJohnny Rzeznik
John Joseph Theodore Rzeznik , also known as Johnny Rzeznik, is an American songwriter, guitarist, vocalist and producer...
through the Beaumonts and together they found a drummer, George Tutuska
George Tutuska
George Tutuska is a former member of the alternative rock band Goo Goo Dolls.He played drums from 1986 to 1995, and parted from the band only a few months before the release of their breakthrough album, A Boy Named Goo due to disputes with long-time friend and singer/guitarist John Rzeznik...
and started the band, the "Sex Maggots", with Takac as the lead singer and bassist. In 1986 they changed their name to the more promotable "Goo Goo Dolls" and after two CDs moved Rzeznik to the majority of lead vocals. In late 1994, Takac and Rzeznik lost their first drummer, George Tutuska. In early 1995, they met Mike Malinin and hired him. In 1995 they received their first commercial success with the single "Name
Name (song)
"Name" is the title of a song recorded by the Goo Goo Dolls. It was released in September 1995 as the third single from the album, A Boy Named Goo. The song, the band's first hit, topped both the US Modern Rock chart and the US Album Rock chart, and reached as high as number 5 on the Billboard Hot...
". The 1998 follow-up "Iris" reached number one on several charts, including the Hot 100 Airplay. Goo Goo Dolls have been releasing music and touring continuously since.
In 2009 They recorded "Something for the Rest of Us" in Buffalo, NY at their studio Inner Machine Studios - Takac opened the studio to the public as GCR Audio.
Side projects
In 2003, Takac joined with Brian Schulmeister to form the dance music collective AmungusAmungus
Amungus is Robby Takac of the Goo Goo Dolls, one of the most successful American rock bands of today, and Brian Schulmeister, co-founder of Slender Fungus Multimedia, an eclectic multimedia design company...
. That same year, Takac started his own record label "Good Charamel Records" in Buffalo, New York. After seeing numerous local acts, the first three bands signed to the label were Klear, The Juliet Dagger, and Last Conservative, the label now releases Japanese Rock Music in North America by Female Fronted J-Rock Bands such as Shonen Knife, Tsushimamire, Lazy Guns Brisky and MOLICE.
In 2004, Takac founded the Music is Art Festival, a not-for-profit organization, and operates as their President. MiA seeks to explore and reshape music’s cultural, social, and educational impact on the community. Active throughout the year, MiA is supported by a multitude of programs, concerts, and events, ranging from collecting and donating instruments to local schools, mental health awareness tours, music industry education, among others.
Equipment
Takac primarily plays YamahaYamaha
Yamaha may refer to:* Yamaha Corporation, a Japanese company with a wide range of products and services** Yamaha Motor Company, a Japanese motorized vehicle-producing company...
BB-series bass guitars, but he has also played Fender and Zon
Zon Guitars
Zon Guitars is a manufacturer of bass guitars founded in 1981 by Joseph Zon.-Background:The company is known for its bass guitar models which feature non-traditional designs and materials. The brand is most closely associated with endorser and player Michael Manring, who collaborated with the...
bass guitars.