Robby Takac

Robby Takac
Robby Takac performing at Molson Amphitheatre on July 25, 2010.
Robby Takac performing at Molson Amphitheatre on July 25, 2010.
Background information
Birth nameRobert Carl Takac Jr.
Born (1964-09-30) September 30, 1964 (age 60)
Buffalo, New York, U.S.
OriginBuffalo, New York, United States
GenresRock, punk rock
Occupation(s)Bassist, singer, songwriter
Instrument(s)Bass, vocals
Years active1985–present
LabelsMetal Blade, Warner Music, Warner Bros., Good Charamel Records
Websitewww.googoodolls.com

Robert Carl Takac Jr. (born September 30, 1964)[1] is an American rock bassist and vocalist. Takac is one of the founding members of the Goo Goo Dolls, along with John Rzeznik.

Background

Takac was born in Buffalo, New York and grew up in the Buffalo suburb of West Seneca with his parents and younger sister. One of his grandparents was Hungarian, which is reflected by his name (originally written: Takács, which is Hungarian for 'weaver'). He graduated from West Seneca East Senior High School in 1982. He graduated from Medaille College with a Communication degree, 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 Medaille College Board of Trustees.[2]

Music career

Takac began his musical career as a member of the rock band Monarch, prior to joining the Beaumonts, which broke up in 1985. He met guitarist John Rzeznik through the Beaumonts and together they found a drummer, George Tutuska and started a band that they named the "Sex Maggots", with Takac as the lead singer and bassist. In 1986,[3] they changed their name to the more promotable "Goo Goo Dolls", and after three albums moved Rzeznik to the majority of lead vocals. In late 1994, Takac and Rzeznik fired Tutuska and in early 1995 hired Mike Malinin as a replacement. Later that year 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.[3] Goo Goo Dolls have been releasing music and touring continuously since.

In 2009, the band recorded Something for the Rest of Us in Buffalo, New York, at their studio Inner Machine Studios. That year, Takac opened the studio to the public as GCR Audio.[4]

Side projects

In 2003, Takac joined with Brian Schulmeister to form the dance music collective Amungus.[5] That same year, Takac started his own record label, Good Charamel Records, in Buffalo, New York.[6] With an initial focus on local acts, the first three bands signed to the label were Klear, The Juliet Dagger, and Last Conservative. Today the label primarily releases J-Rock music in North America by female-fronted bands such as Shonen Knife, Tsushimamire, LazyGunsBrisky, Pinky Doodle Poodle and MOLICE.[7]

In 2004, Takac founded the Music is Art Festival, a not-for-profit organization, and operates as their president.[8] MiA seeks to explore and reshape music's cultural, social, and educational impact on the community.[9] 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.[10]

Equipment

Takac primarily plays Yamaha BB-series bass guitars, but he has also played Fender and Zon bass guitars.[11][12]

Discography

Goo Goo Dolls

Main article: Goo Goo Dolls discography

References

  1. ^ "Today in History - Sept. 30". ABC News. 6 November 1982. Archived from the original on 26 May 2015. Retrieved 28 August 2009.
  2. ^ "Medaille College Board of Trustees". Medaille.edu. 2011-03-20. Archived from the original on 2011-07-23. Retrieved 2011-08-17.
  3. ^ a b "Second Cup Café: GooGooDolls". CBC News. 9 December 2006. Archived from the original on December 14, 2006. Retrieved 28 August 2009.
  4. ^ "Goo Goo Dolls Record CD in Buffalo". WKBW-TV. 31 July 2009. Retrieved 28 August 2009. [dead link‍]
  5. ^ "Local music does festival proud as B-52s headline an eclectic mix". The Buffalo News. 28 September 2008. Retrieved 28 August 2009.
  6. ^ "Good Charamel Records website". Goodcharamel.com. 2011-07-19. Retrieved 2011-08-17.
  7. ^ Jackie Backman (2004-01-09). "Goo Goo Dolls - Robby Takac". TheCelebrityCafe.com. Archived from the original on 2010-02-26. Retrieved 2011-08-17.
  8. ^ [1] Archived April 19, 2010, at the Wayback Machine
  9. ^ "HARD ROCK: Concert series stages finale". Niagara Gazette. 17 August 2009. Archived from the original on 11 September 2012. Retrieved 28 August 2009.
  10. ^ "Music is Art Festival at Albright Knox Gallery Buffalo, NY September 12, 2010". Backstageaxxess.com. 2010-09-15. Archived from the original on July 7, 2011. Retrieved 2011-08-17.
  11. ^ Bass Artists. Yamaha Corporation of America. Archived February 24, 2008, at the Wayback Machine
  12. ^ Robby Takac. Zon Guitars.