'90s Rock Band Revisits New Year's Eve Moment After 32 Years: 'Right Before Our Lives Truly Changed'
- - '90s Rock Band Revisits New Year's Eve Moment After 32 Years: 'Right Before Our Lives Truly Changed'
Geca FloresJanuary 1, 2026 at 2:45 AM
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Goo Goo Dolls rang in 2026 with an electrifying performance at ABC's Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve.
The ‘90s rock band, consisting of frontman John Rzeznik and bassist Robby Takac, took fans on a nostalgic trip as they hit the stage and delivered a set of their most iconic songs.
One of the highlights was the 1998 hit track “Iris,” which recently made a resurgence thanks to viral TikTok trends.
With the band’s soul-stirring lyrics and Rzeznik’s distinctive voice, the crowd couldn't help but sing along as if it were the late ‘90s all over again.
Apart from the group, viewers were also treated to a star-studded lineup with hosts Ryan Seacrest and Rita Ora in New York and Rob Gronkowski and Julianne Hough in Las Vegas, while Chance the Rapper performed in Chicago. The audience also witnessed show-stopping numbers from 50 Cent, Charlie Puth, Ciara, Chappell Roan, Demi Lovato, music legend Diana Ross and more.
John Rzeznik of the Goo Goo Dolls performs onstage at "Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve with Ryan Seacrest" 2026. Gilbert Flores/Penske Media via Getty Images
However, before Goo Goo Dolls took on their much-awaited New Year's Eve 2026 performance, the group looked back on an unforgettable performance that came just before their big breakthrough.
In an Instagram post, the band’s official social media shared a rare throwback photo with the original members.
Alongside Rzeznik and Takac, drummer George Tutuska completed the trio, which was formed in Buffalo in the late 1980s.
During their early years, the band played a variety of shows, including a few New Year's Eve performances.
One memorable night came in 1994, when the Goo Goo Dolls shared the stage with The Pinheads and The Wrench.
The post also included a vintage poster advertising the show, with $10 tickets sold in advance.
Little did they know that they would become one of the notable rock bands of their generation after releasing their fifth album, “A Boy Named Goo” in 1995.
“NYE 94 … right before our lives truly changed ….. join the adventure tonight at the Hard Rock in Atlantic City for our first few notes 2026!” the post reads.
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At the time, the album became a major commercial success due to the popularity of their breakthrough single "Name" as well as other hits like "Long Way Down" and "Only One."
Goo Goo Dolls Headslines Jam-packed Shows for
Fans of the four-time Grammy nominee are in for another round of unforgettable shows.
The Summer Tour 2026 will kick off on July 24 in California, followed by stops in Boise, Idaho; Milwaukee, Wisconsin; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; Tampa, Florida; Charleston, South Carolina; Richmond, Virginia and more, before concluding in early September in Uncasville, Connecticut.
In addition, Goo Goo Dolls will embark on a Canada Spring 2026 Tour with emo-acoustic rock band Dashboard Confessional, running from March to April.
Related: Iconic '90s Band Performs in First-Ever ‘Tiny Desk’ Concert
This story was originally published by Parade on Jan 1, 2026, where it first appeared in the News section. Add Parade as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Source: “AOL Entertainment”
