By Marley
In the 14 years of Small Town Music’s existence, would I ever think of writing about one of my dream bands, The Goo Goo Dolls, coming to South Africa? The 15-year-old in me is more excited about this show than summer vacation.
You know their songs “Iris”, “Name” “Slide,” and “Here is Gone,” to name a handful. The Goos, as their fans refer to them, have been around since the late 1980s. Yes, they started as a punk band when Robby Takac, their bassist, was the lead vocalist. Coming from Buffalo, New York (state), this band has been around well for over 40 years. I got to know them from their hit “Name” and then the movie “City of Angels” came out and changed every teenager into a romantic. It was one of the best-selling soundtracks, featuring artists from U2 to Peter Gabriel. “Iris” stood out like a beautiful, lonely girl at a ball, and in recent TikTok years, it has become a meme song. My 16-year-old niece listened to it, and I told her that it was a band I listened to when I was 16 and that I had seen them live. I thought her soul had left her.
The last time the Goo Goo Dolls were here was at Nelson Mandela’s 46664 concert in 2007, held at Ellis Park, Johannesburg. It was one crazy lineup of artists like Annie Lennox, Peter Gabriel, Live, Ludacris, Prime Circle, Just Jinger, Johnny Clegg and The Parlotones, and I could run out of breath. Of course, the late Nelson Mandela was there, and he addressed us all in Ellis Park. It’s something I will never forget. The next day, we went to Bruma Flea Market (when it was still there), and when I saw these two guys, I thought, “Those two could be Robby and Mike’s double.” I, of course, was talking about Robby and Mike Malinin (their previous drummer) of the Goo Goo Dolls. Mike was involved with a street performer’s act, and I waited till it was over (yes, the video is proof). I went over to Robby and asked if he was Robby of the Goos. It was him, and I nearly fainted. There, in Bruma Flea Market, I met two-quarters of one of my favourite bands ever. Camera phones just started to make better cameras, and I have the photo to prove it. John Rzeznik (the lead vocalist) wasn’t with them, but boy, it was so cool. This was 17 years ago!
Now for our South African summer, The Goo Goo Dolls are finally returning to SA for a 3-show tour—Cape Town, Durban, and Pretoria. Cape Town’s venue, Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens, has sold out (well done!) with Pretoria at the Voortrekker Monument and Durban at the ICC. The bands that will open for them are Just Jinger (Cape Town), Roan Ash (Durban and Pretoria), Matthew Mole (Pretoria), and Ross Learmonth (Pretoria).
“We’re so proud to finally be able to announce our South African tour,” says John. “It’s going to be three amazing nights of great music for everyone, so be there!”. Yes, sir, trust us 90’s teens to be there with all of our teenage love for you. Our kids know your music as “dad rock.”
Many people think the Goos were “one-hit wonders,” and yet these guys are still making new music, still touring, and still collecting platinum sales plates. 15 million records sold worldwide, 4 Grammy award nominations—did you know they hold the all-time radio record for “Most Top 10 Singles”? Their song “Iris” was in the number 1 position on the Hot 100 for 18 weeks and was named the ‘#1 Top 40 Song of the Last 20 Years”. They recently also brought out the vinyl for their live show “Live in Buffalo 4th July 2004” which is still one of the best live concert movies to watch (in my personal Goos fan opinion). Their songs have been featured in movies like ‘Twister’ (Long Way Down), ‘Iris’ (City of Angels), and ‘Transformers’ (Before It’s Too Late). John was also incorporated into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2008. One of my favourite albums (besides “Dizzy Up the Girl”) is “Gutterflower” released in 2002, and “Let Love In” released in 2006 (I also have this tattoo).
Tickets are already on sale for Durban on Thursday, December 5, 2024 (which happens to be John’s birthday) and Saturday, December 7, 2024, at the Voortrekker Monument. Their show at Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens is sold out. The gates will open at 4 p.m. for all three shows. Tickets are available via Webtickets (which has many payment options), and the process of purchasing them was super easy.
I can’t tell you much about the ICC in Durban, but the Voortrekker monument I can, as it’s such an iconic venue. It is not only a tributing statement to the past of South African culture but also to the spirit of South Africans who had given up so much. It’s an education to walk through this monument, purely admiring the sculptures that display the history of the Voortrekkers. The story involves many cultures as well, and the area itself is beautiful. Make sure to visit the museum before heading to the amphitheater, as you will be amazed at how strong we South Africans are. And how we are about to rock out.
The Goo Goo Dolls are one of those bands whose music can connect any generation. It’s not just made for my generation, the one behind it, or even the one behind that one. I’m glad I grew up where the Top 40 of 5FM was the chart to listen to. You had alternative rock on the radio the whole time. I’m forever grateful to my good friend, Jaques, who made me a mix tape of bands he loves, which included The Goo Goo Dolls. Is it wired to hear it in the local shopping market now playing as “shopping music”? Hell yes. Do I sing along with it? Of course. And Jacques is coming with us to the show. It is something we Goo fans have to do. I made so many friends in America thanks to the Goos, and they were all very excited when they saw they were coming back to SA. This excited rocker truly can’t wait for the Goo Goo Dolls to perform live in South Africa.
photo credit Marley
